So you are turning 65 soon and looking for your best health care coverage options, you are at the right place! Fortunately, there are a lot of insurance programs available for you — provided by both federal and state governments, as well as private carriers — that you can choose from, depending on your health care needs. So without wasting too much time, let’s just jump directly to the options-
Original Medicare (Part A and Part B)
Once you have become eligible, you can enroll in and get your benefits from Original Medicare—a health care coverage program provided by the Federal Government and administered by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Part A of the program provides Inpatient/hospital coverage, whereas Part B offers outpatient/medical coverage. If you or your spouse have worked and paid Medicare taxes for at least 10 years, the government pays directly for the health care services you receive under Part A of the Original Medicare. You are required to pay for Part B benefits, or the premiums can be deducted from your Social Security, Railroad Retirement, or Civil Service Retirement check. To know about your eligibility for Original Medicare or calculate the premium, visit https://www.medicare.gov/eligibilitypremiumcalc/.
Medicare Advantage (Part C)
Medicare Advantage plans, sometimes also called Part C or MA Plans, are a popular alternative to Original Medicare with some differences. As opposed to Original Medicare, Medicare Advantage Plans are offered by private insurance carriers approved by Medicare. Medicare Advantage Plans cover most benefits offered under Original Medicare, as well as hearing, vision and/or dental care. It also typically includes prescription drug coverage (Part D). The different types of Medicare Advantage Plans include Health Maintenance Organization (HMO), Preferred Provider Organization (PPO), Private Fee-for-Service (PFFS), Special Needs Plans (SNPs), HMO Point-of-Service (HMOPOS), and Medical Savings Account (MSA). To be eligible for any Medical Advantage Plan, you must have Original Medicare (Part A and B) and live in the plan’s service area. To know about your eligibility for Medical Advantage Plan, visit https://www.medicare.gov/sign-up-change-plans/types-of-medicare-health-plans/medicare-advantage-plans/who-can-join-a-medicare-advantage-plan. Want to discuss Medicare Advantage Plans in San Marcos? Talk to INS4U’s San Marcos Medicare agents.
Prescription Drug Coverage (Part D)
Prescription drug coverage (Part D) is there to help “covered” people with different medical conditions get the prescription drugs they need. Plans can vary depending on the list of prescription drugs they cover (called formularies), however, there are at least 2 drugs in the commonly prescribed categories. Prescription Drug Coverage is typically included in Medicare Advantage plans (most plans, not all), while those with original Medicare have to sign up for and pay for Part D coverage if they want it.
The premiums for Medicare Advantage and Part D coverage are expected to decline significantly in 2020. Visit https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/press-releases/trump-administration-drives-down-medicare-advantage-and-part-d-premiums-seniors to know more.
Medigap
Medigap is a supplemental (not an alternative) insurance coverage to Original Medicare that pays for health care costs not covered by the federal program, such as co-payments, deductibles, coinsurance, as well as expenses made by you towards health care outside the U.S. To opt for a Medigap policy, it’s compulsory that you have Original Medicare. The different types of Medigap plans include Plan A, B, C, D, F, G, K, L, M, and Plan N. To know more about how to compare Medigap plans, visit https://www.medicare.gov/supplements-other-insurance/how-to-compare-medigap-policies
Just Us Insurance can be your Insurance Expert!
Choosing the best health care insurance plan can be a confusing and time-consuming task! Before you start considering your available options, it is highly recommended that you talk to Just Us Insurance Medicare insurance agents, so you can get the best for yourself based on your health care needs.
Just Us Insurance / Medicare Made Easy / 877-777-7055 /
Located in San Marcos, CA. and contracted in over 15 states!
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