Farmers Branch Medicare Plans

Farmers Branch Medicare Plans

When you turn 65, you become eligible for the Medicare program — which means you will need to set aside time around that milestone birthday to sift through many options so you can sign up for the coverage that meets your health needs and budget.

It’s up to you to get ready. No letter will arrive in the mail announcing it’s time to start making these decisions. What’s more, the timetable is specific and extremely important. You can start signing up three months before you turn 65, and you’ll have until three months after your birthday month to enroll. If you miss that deadline, you may end up paying higher premiums. If you are still working and have employer-sponsored health coverage, you can probably wait to sign up.

You’ll need to do some homework before you start assessing options and picking plans. Make a list of your doctors and decide how important it is to you that you can continue seeing them once you are on Medicare. Also, make a list of any medications you take so you can make sure any prescription drug plan you select will meet your needs.

Think about your lifestyle. Are you a homebody who never travels outside the U.S.? Or are you an adventurer who travels abroad often? Do you split your time between residences and get medical care in different states? All these factors will figure into the decisions you make.

Your financial situation is also important. Farmers Branch Medicare helps pay for medical care for most older Americans and also people with disabilities. But it’s not free. You’ll want to choose an option you can afford and build the array of out-of-pocket costs into your annual budget. And take time to review the ways the federal government can help you pay Medicare’s costs if you can’t afford them.

What is Medicare?

Medicare is a federal health insurance program in the United States that provides coverage to people who are 65 years or older, certain younger people with disabilities, and those with End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) or Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). Medicare offers four main types of coverage, known as Parts A, B, C, and D. Here’s a more detailed explanation of each:

1. Medicare Part A: Part A is hospital insurance that covers inpatient hospital care, skilled nursing facility care, hospice care, and some home health care services. Most people who have worked and paid Medicare taxes for at least 10 years will not have to pay a premium for Part A.

2. Medicare Part B: Part B is medical insurance that covers doctor visits, outpatient care, medical equipment, and preventive services like flu shots and cancer screenings. There is a monthly premium for Part B, and the amount varies depending on your income.

3. Medicare Part C: Part C, also known as Medicare Advantage, is an alternative to Original Medicare (Parts A and B). It’s offered by private insurance companies approved by Medicare and includes all the benefits of Parts A and B, plus additional benefits like vision, dental, and prescription drug coverage. Medicare Advantage plans may have lower out-of-pocket costs than Original Medicare but may also have more restrictions on which doctors and hospitals you can use.

4. Medicare Part D: Part D is prescription drug coverage that helps cover the cost of prescription medications. It’s offered by private insurance companies approved by Medicare, and there is a monthly premium for Part D. The amount varies depending on the plan you choose and your income.

In summary, Medicare offers hospital insurance (Part A), medical insurance (Part B), Medicare Advantage (Part C), and prescription drug coverage (Part D). It’s important to understand the differences between these options so that you can choose the coverage that best meets your healthcare needs and budget. Call Ashford Insurance at 817-952-3153 now!