Managing The Medicare Maze

 

 

Medicare is divided into Hospital Insurance (Part A) and Medical Insurance (Part B), which are run by the federal government. Medicare Parts C and D are provided by private, Medicare-approved insurance companies.

Part A is Hospital Insurance and covers costs associated with confinement in a hospital or skilled nursing facility (but not physician’s fees).

 

Part B is Medical Insurance helps cover physicians’ services, outpatient care, diagnostic tests and supplies.

Part C (Medicare Advantage)plans provide benefits and services covered under Parts A and B and usually offer additional coverage such as vision, hearing, dental, and/or health and wellness programs. They also impose a maximum liability cap for the beneficiary.  Plans usually include prescription drug coverage.

• Part D (prescription drug coverage)plans help cover the cost of prescription drugs and are available for an additional premium.

Once eligible for Medicare, your choice of ways to receive benefits:

• Medicare Parts A and B
• Medicare Supplement (Medigap)
• Prescription Drug Plan (Part D)
• Medicare Advantage Plan(Part C)

Enrollment Periods for Parts A and B

If you are receiving Social Security benefits you’ll  automatically get Medicare Parts A and B starting the first day of the month you turn 65.

• If you do not want to enroll in Parts A or B, you should decline coverage by following the instructions on your Medicare card.
• Approximately 99% of Medicare beneficiaries receive premium free Part A hospital insurance. If you are among this group, there is probably no reason to decline Part A coverage.
• Part B requires premium payments that is based on your income. If you don’t decline coverage, the Part B premium will be deducted automatically from your Social Security or RRB benefit.

Click www.medicare.gov for additional information.

If you are not yet receiving Social Security or RRB benefits when you turn 65, you have to enroll in Medicare. There are three enrollment periods for Medicare Parts A and B.

Initial Enrollment Period – To avoid penalties, you should enroll during your initial enrollment period, which starts three months before the month you turn 65 and ends three months after the month you turn 65.

Open Enrollment – In the Fall of each year during Open Enrollment (October 15 to December 7), you may change from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage plan, or change Medicare Advantage plans. The new coverage would begin on January 1 the following year.

Special Enrollment – Employer based coverage – If you didn’t sign up for Medicare Part A and/or Part B when you were first eligible because you were covered under a group health plan based on your current employment (or your spouse’s), you can enroll at any time you have coverage as follows:

• During the 8-month period that begins the month after the employment ends or the group health plan insurance coverage ends, whichever happens first.

                     What’s Right for You?

Most Medicare beneficiaries choose to go beyond Medicare Parts A and B. Part A has hospital deductibles and Part B has a 20% co-insurance liability, with no limit on your  out of pocket expenses.  Medicare Supplement and Medicare Advantage plans eliminate or reduce the co-insurance and deductibles under Medicare and place a cap on liability. Each individual and/or family situation is unique. We can guide you through the Medicare Maze, simplifying the process so that you end up with your most efficient plan(s).

Premiums for Parts A – Medicare Part A is generally premium-free if you or your spouse paid Medicare payroll taxes for at least 10 years (40 fiscal quarters).

Premiums for  Part  B – Medicare Part B requires premium payments that are based on Adjusted Gross Income (AGI).

 

I am committed to helping you and your loved ones make your own well-informed choices regarding the complex subject of Medicare. Please contact me from the link and number below.

 

 

Sandy Essex,

CLTC Long Term Care Planning Advisor
847.695.6690 
Visit us at   www.BestLtcAdvice.com

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