Medicare
Medicare is our country’s health insurance program for people age 65 or older. Certain people younger than age 65 can qualify for Medicare, too, including those who have disabilities and those who have permanent kidney failure or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (Lou Gehrig’s disease). The program helps with the cost of health care, but it does not cover all medical expenses or the cost of most long-term care.
Medicare is financed by a portion of the payroll taxes paid by workers and their employers. It also is financed in part by monthly premiums deducted from Social Security checks.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is the agency in charge of the Medicare program. But you apply for Medicare at Social Security, and the SSA can give you general information about the Medicare program.
Medicare has four parts
* Hospital insurance (Part A) that helps pay for inpatient care in a hospital or skilled nursing facility (following a hospital stay), some home health
care and hospice care.
* Medical insurance (Part B) that helps pay for doctors’ services and many other medical services and supplies that are not covered by hospital
insurance.
* Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans are available in many areas. People with Medicare Parts A and B can choose to receive all of their health
care services through one of these provider organizations under Part C.
* Prescription drug coverage (Part D) that helps pay for medications doctors prescribe for treatment.
You may think that Medicaid and Medicare are the same. Actually, they are two different programs. Medicaid is a state-run program that provides hospital and medical coverage for people with low income and little or no resources. Each state has its own rules about who is eligible and what is covered under Medicaid. Some people qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid. For more information about the Medicaid program, contact your local medical assistance agency, social services or welfare office.
Who can get Medicare?
Hospital insurance (Part A)
Most people age 65 or older who are citizens or permanent residents of the United States are eligible for free Medicare hospital insurance (Part A). You are eligible at age 65 if:
* You receive or are eligible to receive Social Security benefits; or
* You receive or are eligible to receive railroad retirement benefits; or
* You or your spouse (living or deceased, including divorced spouses) worked long enough in a government job where Medicare taxes were
paid; or
* You are the dependent parent of a fully insured deceased child.
If you do not meet these requirements, you may be able to get Medicare hospital insurance by paying
a monthly premium. Usually, you can sign up for this hospital insurance only during designated enrollment periods.
NOTE: Even though the full retirement age is no longer 65, you should sign up for Medicare three months before your 65th birthday.
Hospital insurance (Part A) - continued
Before age 65, you are eligible for free Medicare hospital insurance if:
* You have been entitled to Social Security disability benefits for 24 months; or
* You receive a disability pension from the railroad retirement board and meet certain conditions; or
* If you receive Social Security disability benefits because you have Lou Gehrig’s disease (amyotrophiclateral sclerosis); or
* You worked long enough in a government job where Medicare taxes were paid and you meet the requirements of the Social Security
disability program; or
* You are the child or widow(er) age 50 or older, including a divorced widow(er), of someone who has worked long enough in a government
job where Medicare taxes were paid and you meet the Requirements of the Social Security disability program.
* You have permanent kidney failure and you receive maintenance dialysis or a kidney transplant and:
- You are eligible for or receive monthly benefits under Social Security or the railroad retirement system; or
- You have worked long enough in a Medicare-covered government job; or
- You are the child or spouse (including a divorced spouse) of a worker (living or deceased) who has worked long enough under Social Security
or in a Medicare-covered government job.
Medicare Part B, C and D
Social Security Disability
Medicare is our country’s health insurance program for people age 65 or older. Certain people younger than age 65 can qualify for Medicare, too, including those who have disabilities and those who have permanent kidney failure or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (Lou Gehrig’s disease). The program helps with the cost of health care, but it does not cover all medical expenses or the cost of most long-term care.
Medicare is financed by a portion of the payroll taxes paid by workers and their employers. It also is financed in part by monthly premiums deducted from Social Security checks.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is the agency in charge of the Medicare program. But you apply for Medicare at Social Security, and the SSA can give you general information about the Medicare program.
Medicare has four parts
* Hospital insurance (Part A) that helps pay for inpatient care in a hospital or skilled nursing facility (following a hospital stay), some home health
care and hospice care.
* Medical insurance (Part B) that helps pay for doctors’ services and many other medical services and supplies that are not covered by hospital
insurance.
* Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans are available in many areas. People with Medicare Parts A and B can choose to receive all of their health
care services through one of these provider organizations under Part C.
* Prescription drug coverage (Part D) that helps pay for medications doctors prescribe for treatment.
You may think that Medicaid and Medicare are the same. Actually, they are two different programs. Medicaid is a state-run program that provides hospital and medical coverage for people with low income and little or no resources. Each state has its own rules about who is eligible and what is covered under Medicaid. Some people qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid. For more information about the Medicaid program, contact your local medical assistance agency, social services or welfare office.
Who can get Medicare?
Hospital insurance (Part A)
Most people age 65 or older who are citizens or permanent residents of the United States are eligible for free Medicare hospital insurance (Part A). You are eligible at age 65 if:
* You receive or are eligible to receive Social Security benefits; or
* You receive or are eligible to receive railroad retirement benefits; or
* You or your spouse (living or deceased, including divorced spouses) worked long enough in a government job where Medicare taxes were
paid; or
* You are the dependent parent of a fully insured deceased child.
If you do not meet these requirements, you may be able to get Medicare hospital insurance by paying
a monthly premium. Usually, you can sign up for this hospital insurance only during designated enrollment periods.
NOTE: Even though the full retirement age is no longer 65, you should sign up for Medicare three months before your 65th birthday.
Hospital insurance (Part A) - continued
Before age 65, you are eligible for free Medicare hospital insurance if:
* You have been entitled to Social Security disability benefits for 24 months; or
* You receive a disability pension from the railroad retirement board and meet certain conditions; or
* If you receive Social Security disability benefits because you have Lou Gehrig’s disease (amyotrophiclateral sclerosis); or
* You worked long enough in a government job where Medicare taxes were paid and you meet the requirements of the Social Security
disability program; or
* You are the child or widow(er) age 50 or older, including a divorced widow(er), of someone who has worked long enough in a government
job where Medicare taxes were paid and you meet the Requirements of the Social Security disability program.
* You have permanent kidney failure and you receive maintenance dialysis or a kidney transplant and:
- You are eligible for or receive monthly benefits under Social Security or the railroad retirement system; or
- You have worked long enough in a Medicare-covered government job; or
- You are the child or spouse (including a divorced spouse) of a worker (living or deceased) who has worked long enough under Social Security
or in a Medicare-covered government job.
Medicare Part B, C and D
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