Clay County Medicare Plans

Clay County Medicare Plans

Medicare: What You Need to Know

Medicare is a federal health insurance program for people who are 65 or older, certain younger people with disabilities, and people with end-stage renal disease (permanent kidney failure). It helps to pay for many medical care services, including:

• Hospital stays
• Physician visits
• Prescription drugs
• Preventive services
• Skilled nursing facility and home healthcare
• Hospice care

Medicare is funded by a combination of payroll taxes, premiums, and general revenue. Most people who are eligible for Medicare do not have to pay a premium for Part A (hospital insurance), but they do have to pay a premium for Part B (medical insurance). Medicare Part D (prescription drug coverage) is optional and requires a premium.

Medicare Eligibility

You are eligible for Medicare if you are:

• 65 years of age or older
• A U.S. citizen or permanent resident
• Living in the United States

You may also be eligible for Medicare if you have:

• A disability and have been receiving Social Security disability benefits for at least 24 months
• End-stage renal disease
• Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease

Medicare Parts

Medicare is divided into four parts:

• Part A: Hospital insurance
• Part B: Medical insurance
• Part C: Medicare Advantage plans
• Part D: Prescription drug coverage

Part A

Part A covers inpatient hospital stays, skilled nursing facility care, hospice care, and some home health care. You do not have to pay a premium for Part A if you or your spouse worked and paid Medicare taxes for at least 10 years.

Part B

Part B covers doctor visits, outpatient care, preventive services, and some home health care. You have to pay a monthly premium for Part B unless you qualify for a premium-free Part B.

Part C

Part C, also known as Medicare Advantage plans, are private health insurance plans that provide all the benefits of Medicare Part A and Part B. Medicare Advantage plans may also include prescription drug coverage.

Part D

Part D is a prescription drug benefit that is available to people with Medicare. You must pay a monthly premium for Part D.

To learn more about Medicare

To learn more about Medicare, you can visit the Medicare website at www.medicare.gov. You can also call the Medicare helpline at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227).

Medicare and You

Medicare can be a complex program, but it is a valuable resource for many people. If you are eligible for Medicare, I encourage you to learn more about the program and how it can benefit you.