Medicare Help for Seniors

Medicare Help for Seniors

We find that so many of the seniors that we deal with daily have a tough time understanding Medicare.  Our goal is to teach you all you need to know about Medicare so you can make an informed decision on how you choose to receive your Medicare. When it comes to deciding on your Medicare options, you can spend hours doing your own research or you can speak to a local, licensed Texas agent with Ashford Insurance. Your agent will compare your options to find the coverage that’s tailored to you and at a price that fits into your budget. We do this all at no cost and no obligation to you. With an Ashford Insurance agent, you get the benefit of great counsel, experience, and great choices. Ashford Insurance is Medicare Help for Seniors.

Medicare and Prescription Help for Seniors

Medicare is a federal health insurance program for people 65 or older, those who are disabled, or those who have end-stage renal disease. It does not pay the full cost of services; you will still have deductibles and copayments. Medicare has four parts:

• Part A helps pay for inpatient care at hospitals and some unskilled nursing facilities, as well as hospice care and some home health care. Part A satisfies the legal requirement for everyone to have health coverage. You can get Part A for free at age 65 if you have the 40 credits required to qualify for Social Security benefits. You can also get it for free based on the work record of a current, former, or deceased spouse. If you have less than 40 work credits, you must pay a monthly premium.
• Part B helps pay for doctors’ visits, outpatient care, lab tests, and physical and occupational therapy. Most medications that are administered in a doctor’s office are also covered. Part B is optional, and you must pay a monthly premium to get it.  Taken together, Part A and Part B are known as original or traditional Medicare.
• Part C (commonly known as Medicare Advantage) allows health maintenance organizations (HMOs) and preferred provider organizations (PPOs) to offer health insurance to people who are enrolled in Part A and Part B. These plans cover all the same things as Parts A and B but also typically feature additional benefits like vision and dental care as well as Part D prescription drug coverage (see below). Companies often limit you to doctors within their networks. Medicare Advantage plans require a monthly premium, and you must also pay the Part B premium. However, these plans do limit the amount of out-of-pocket costs you must pay each year.
• Part D helps with the cost of prescription drugs. This coverage is only available through private companies. You can choose a stand-alone plan called a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan (PDP) or opt for a Medicare Advantage plan that bundles Parts A, B, and D together. Either way, you will pay a monthly premium. The specific drugs that are covered vary with each plan, and there may be other restrictions, so be sure you understand the details before making your choice.

It is possible to receive Medicare benefits if you are under 65. For instance, you can get Part A for free if you are under 65 but have been receiving Social Security disability benefits for at least two years. And if you receive Social Security benefits for at least four months before becoming eligible for Medicare, you are automatically enrolled in Part A (which you get for free) and Part B (which you can opt to either keep or refuse).