What Are The Different Options Under Medicare Coverage?
Types of Medicare Plans: Part A: Part A involves coverage for expenses incurred during hospital stays.
It is also known as Hospital Insurance, and helps pay for expenses incurred for 90 days of hospital care, after a minimal annual deductible is paid.
The expenses covered during hospital stay include:
Care at skilled nursing homes and medically necessary equipments such as wheelchairs and walkers are also covered under this plan.
Medicare coverage under part A is usually available without co-pay.
Plan B: This plan covers for expenses incurred for outpatient services that include charges for medical visits; hospital visits on outpatient basis, and other services that are approved as medically necessary.
Requirements that are covered under this plan include various lab tests, home health visits, dialysis, outpatient procedures, vaccinations, ambulance service, chemotherapy, wheelchairs, walkers, etc.
Even though enrollment in Part B is automatic, it is not free.
You will need to pay a monthly premium as well as annual deductible to avail the benefits.
Part C: Plan C is a combination of plan A and B.
However, the main difference is that plan C is offered by private insurance companies that are approved by Medicare.
The plan offers some extra benefits at a more affordable premium, and may also include cover for prescription drugs.
Part D: Part D covers the cost of prescription drugs.
It was designed with the intention of helping people to lessen the cost of prescription medication, which is the most expensive part of healthcare.
It is the most popular plan as it covers the cost of medication and also enables you to have greater access to necessary drugs.
Eligibility: To be eligible for Medicare coverage, there is a certain eligibility criteria that one needs to fulfill.
These guidelines are with regards to age, nationality and various other factors.
To be eligible, people should be 65 years or above.
People below 65 can be eligible, but this is only if the person is disabled or suffering from kidney disorder or end stage renal diseases.
Applicants should be U.
S citizens in order to be eligible to apply for Medicare.
Non Americans can also be eligible provided they gain U.
S citizenship at least 5 years prior to applying for the program.
Applicants can also be eligible if their spouse has worked for minimum 10 years and paid premiums into the Medicare system.
The criteria for eligibility are not very complicated and anyone over or even under the age of 65 can avail of the benefits, provided they fulfill the criteria.
Depending on your healthcare needs, you should compare the different plans offered and enroll in a plan that best suits your needs.
It is also known as Hospital Insurance, and helps pay for expenses incurred for 90 days of hospital care, after a minimal annual deductible is paid.
The expenses covered during hospital stay include:
- Meals
- Medical tests
- Semi-private room
- Medical supplies
- Blood transfusion after the first 3 pints
- Intensive care unit
- Operating room
- Coronary care unit
- Medication furnished by the hospital
Care at skilled nursing homes and medically necessary equipments such as wheelchairs and walkers are also covered under this plan.
Medicare coverage under part A is usually available without co-pay.
Plan B: This plan covers for expenses incurred for outpatient services that include charges for medical visits; hospital visits on outpatient basis, and other services that are approved as medically necessary.
Requirements that are covered under this plan include various lab tests, home health visits, dialysis, outpatient procedures, vaccinations, ambulance service, chemotherapy, wheelchairs, walkers, etc.
Even though enrollment in Part B is automatic, it is not free.
You will need to pay a monthly premium as well as annual deductible to avail the benefits.
Part C: Plan C is a combination of plan A and B.
However, the main difference is that plan C is offered by private insurance companies that are approved by Medicare.
The plan offers some extra benefits at a more affordable premium, and may also include cover for prescription drugs.
Part D: Part D covers the cost of prescription drugs.
It was designed with the intention of helping people to lessen the cost of prescription medication, which is the most expensive part of healthcare.
It is the most popular plan as it covers the cost of medication and also enables you to have greater access to necessary drugs.
Eligibility: To be eligible for Medicare coverage, there is a certain eligibility criteria that one needs to fulfill.
These guidelines are with regards to age, nationality and various other factors.
To be eligible, people should be 65 years or above.
People below 65 can be eligible, but this is only if the person is disabled or suffering from kidney disorder or end stage renal diseases.
Applicants should be U.
S citizens in order to be eligible to apply for Medicare.
Non Americans can also be eligible provided they gain U.
S citizenship at least 5 years prior to applying for the program.
Applicants can also be eligible if their spouse has worked for minimum 10 years and paid premiums into the Medicare system.
The criteria for eligibility are not very complicated and anyone over or even under the age of 65 can avail of the benefits, provided they fulfill the criteria.
Depending on your healthcare needs, you should compare the different plans offered and enroll in a plan that best suits your needs.