Medicare covers many of your health care needs. Today’s Medicare is working with private companies approved by Medicare that provide different ways to get your health care and prescription drug coverage in the Medicare Program. The Medicare plan that you choose affects many things like cost, benefits, doctor choice, convenience, and quality.

Medicare is a health insurance program for people:

1. Age 65 or older,
2. Under age 65 with certain disabilities, and
3. Of all ages with End-Stage Renal Disease (permanent kidney failure requiring dialysis or a kidney transplant)

Medicare has 2 parts:

Part A (Hospital Insurance)

• Most people don't pay a premium for Part A because they or a spouse already paid for it through their payroll taxes while working.
• It helps cover inpatient care in hospitals, including critical access hospitals, and skilled nursing facilities (not custodial or long-term care).
• It also helps cover hospice care and some home health care.
• Beneficiaries must meet certain conditions to get these benefits.

Part B (Medical Insurance)

• Most people pay a monthly premium for Part B.
• It helps cover doctors' services and outpatient care.
• It also covers some other medical services that Part A doesn't cover, such as some of the services of physical and occupational therapists, and some home health care.
• Part B helps pay for these covered services and supplies when they are medically necessary.

Click here to get more information on Medicare Part B monthly premiums in 2009.

You can choose different ways to get the services covered by Medicare. Depending on where you live, you may have different choices. You may want to consider a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan to add drug coverage. Or, you may want to consider a Medicare Advantage Plan (like an HMO or PPO) that provides all your Part A, Part B, and often Part D coverage.

Related Links:

For more information on Medicare, please visit: http://www.medicare.gov

Click here to check your Medicare coverage.

Click here for an explanation on how Medigap (Supplemental Insurance) Policy works.

Source: U.S Department of Health and Human Services

• Medicare Plan Choices
  
• Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage
  
• Medicare Advantage Plans
  
• Understanding Medicaid
  

Other La Dolce Living Helpful Links:

• Seniors Online Community & Discussion Forum
• Senior Care Facility Search
• Senior Facility Registration