Senior Medicare Plans 65+

Since 1966, Medicare has been the national health insurance program in the United States, providing health care insurance coverage for over 64 million beneficiaries, the majority of whom are aged 65 and above. Original Medicare Parts A and B eligibility age is set at 65 by the US government, and most people enroll at this age, while some prefer to stay on their employer’s insurance plan until retirement.

To qualify for Medicare, individuals must have worked for at least 10 years in Medicare-covered employment, be 65 years old, and a citizen or permanent resident of the United States. However, those who are under 65 can also be eligible for coverage with a disability or with End-Stage Renal Disease (permanent kidney failure requiring dialysis or transplant).

If you meet the eligibility criteria, you can get Part A at age 65 without having to pay premiums if you already receive retirement benefits from Social Security or the Railroad Retirement Board, are eligible to receive Social Security or Railroad benefits but haven’t filed for them yet, or have had Medicare-covered government employment. If you’re under 65, you can get Part A without paying premiums if you’ve received Social Security or Railroad Retirement Board disability benefits for 24 months or are a kidney dialysis or transplant patient.

However, Part B premiums must be paid, whether you’re 65 or under. It is deducted from your Social Security, Railroad Retirement, or Civil Service Retirement check, and if you’re not receiving any of these payments, Medicare sends you a bill for your Part B premium every three months. Therefore, if you’re turning 65 and planning to enroll in Medicare, it’s essential to understand what your costs will be.

Here are the different Medicare insurance plans available to Texas residents:

1. Original Medicare: Also known as Medicare Part A and Part B, this is the basic and original plan offered by Medicare. It covers hospitalization (Part A) and medical services (Part B). With this plan, you can visit any doctor or healthcare facility that accepts Medicare. Part A has no premium cost for most beneficiaries, but Part B requires a monthly premium payment.

2. Medicare Advantage (Part C): This plan is an alternative to Original Medicare and is provided by private insurance companies that contract with Medicare. It includes all the benefits of Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) but may also offer additional benefits such as vision, hearing, dental, and prescription drug coverage. Medicare Advantage plans may have different costs, copayments, and networks of healthcare providers.

3. Medicare Prescription Drug Plan (Part D): This plan provides coverage for prescription medications, which are not covered under Original Medicare. It is also offered by private insurance companies that contract with Medicare, and the costs, deductibles, and copayments may vary by plan.

4. Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap): This plan is also offered by private insurance companies to cover the out-of-pocket costs that Original Medicare does not cover, such as deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance. It can only be purchased if you have Original Medicare and not with a Medicare Advantage plan.

It’s important to note that not all Medicare plans may be available in every county or region in Texas, and the costs and coverage may vary. Before enrolling in any Medicare plan, it’s essential to do your research, compare the plans, and understand the benefits, costs, and restrictions to choose the one that best fits your needs and budget. Additionally, you can contact the Ashford Insurance Team to get more information about Medicare plans and eligibility requirements in Texas.