Medicare is a federal health insurance program for those eligible who are age 65 or older and certain people under 65 with disabilities.
Medicare has four parts:
Part A: Hospital Insurance
Part B: Medical Insurance
Part C: Medicare Advantage Plans
Part D: Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage
For detailed information, see www.medicare.gov
Turning 65 – When you first become eligible for Medicare at 65, you have a 7 month window to enroll in a Part C and or Part D plan. 3 months before your birthday, your birthday month and 3 months after. This is Initial Enrollment Period (IEP).
October 15th- December 7th: Medicare Annual Enrollment Period (AEP). This is one time of year you can make changes to your Medicare Advantage and or Part D Prescription Drug plans for a January 1st effective date.
Special Enrollment Period (SEP): Up to 8 months after employment or employer group health plan coverage ends. Additional SEPs are available depending on your circumstances.
Inpatient care in hospital
Skilled nursing facility care
Nursing home care (not custodial or long term)
Hospice Care
Home Health Care
Medically necessary services
Preventative services
Ambulance services
Durable Medical Equipment
Mental Health
Limited outpatient prescription drugs
Medicare Part C offers coverage for parts A and B, plus additional items and services. Some of these include prescription drugs, dental, vision, and many others. Medicare Advantage, also referred to as Medicare Part C plans, often include benefits beyond Medicare Parts A and B. Private, Medicare-approved health insurance companies offer these plans. They may be offered as HMO or PPO, PFFS or MSA.*
Prescription Drug Plans, also known as PDP, may be an option if you do not have drug coverage. Although Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage is optional, if you don’t get it either as a stand-alone plan or as part of a Medicare Advantage plan, there may be financial penalties if you need to buy a policy later on.
Some items & services Medicare doesn't cover include: Long Term Care, most dental care, eye exams related to prescribing glasses, dentures, cosmetic surgery, acupuncture, hearing aids and related exams, routine foot care. Medicare doesn't cover everything.
*Note: Medigap supplemental insurance plans are designed to fill Medicare Part A and Part B coverage gaps. ... Medicare Advantage, also referred to as Medicare Part C plans, often include benefits beyond Medicare Parts A and B. You may chose one or the other (Medigap or Medicare Advantage, but not both).