Medicare is a health insurance program that provides coverage to people aged 65 and older and certain younger people with disabilities. Medicare is overseen by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), which is part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
While many plans are available through Medicare, you need to understand what each plan covers before enrolling in one. That’s why we’ve created this blog post to help you learn more about Medicare and how to choose what’s best for your needs.
What Is Medicare?
Medicare is a government-run health insurance program that provides coverage to seniors and people with disabilities.
Part A covers inpatient hospital care, skilled nursing facility care, hospice care, and some home health services. Part B covers outpatient hospital care, physician visits, lab tests, and other diagnostic services. Part D covers prescription drugs.
Who Qualifies for Medicare?
You can enroll in Medicare when you turn 65 or if you have certain disabilities that prevent you from working or having other health coverage. You can also enroll at any age if you qualify for Social Security Disability benefits or if you have end-stage renal disease.
What Is Medicare Advantage (Part C)?
Medicare Advantage is a type of Medicare coverage that allows you to enroll in a private health plan. You can choose Medicare Advantage if you’re eligible for Medicare and want more coverage than basic Part A and Part B coverage. With Medicare Advantage, you still get the same Medicare benefits as with Original Medicare (Part A and Part B). However, some plans also offer additional benefits like prescription drugs and vision care.
Deciding Between Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage
Medicare is a great choice for many people, and it’s easy to understand why: it’s a government program that provides comprehensive coverage for most medical needs at an affordable price. But what if you have vision or hearing problems? What if you need dentures or other dental care? If these are issues that affect you, Medicare Advantage may be the right choice because it offers supplemental coverage in these areas. However, if you’re generally healthy and don’t have any current prescriptions or health conditions that will require them, Original Medicare could be the plan for you.
Another thing to consider is access to physicians. Some Medicare Advantage plans will have in-network providers, meaning you can generally only see physicians within the plan’s specific network. If you live in an area with easy access to many physicians or are close to an in-network doctor, then Medicare Advantage could be a good choice for you. If you want more flexibility in terms of practitioner, Original Medicare may be more appropriate for you.
Deciding which Medicare plan is right for you can be tricky, especially when so many options are available! The best thing is to do some research to compare each option thoroughly before making your final decision. Ultimately, the best way to choose between coverage is to look at your specific situation. Fortunately, Toni Buffington Medicare Solutions is here to help!
Our knowledgeable agents are ready to get started in helping you secure the Medicare coverage you deserve, so give us a call today to set up your appointment!