Medicare Parts A & B
Medicare insurance has evolved since it was enacted. As the economy continues to provide uncertainty, luckily Medicare is still available for those looking to retire. Medicare Part A is part of the government funded health care program offered to individuals who are eligible.
Medicare Part A covers hospital stays, home healthcare, and hospice care. In order to receive care through this personal health insurance coverage plan, you must be eligible. Some of the basics are:
- Senior citizens who are 65 years or older
- Patients who are under 65 years but have a qualifying disability
Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B are part of the Original Medicare. The plans are quite different from private insurance plans. With Medicare Part A, you are not restricted to using doctors only in a certain network. For most, Medicare health plans are free. There are some fees that are paid depending on the benefits used. For instance, a hospital stay can be as much as $1500 per year, depending on the duration. Medicare Part A pays for the first 60 days. There is a maximum that this plan covers each year.
With Medicare Part A, you can expect the physician coverage that meets your needs. Part A is often referred to as hospital insurance as it covers inpatient treatment. Federal and state laws require those residing in the US to obtain personal health insurance coverage. The Affordable Care Act will help you find ways to get aid for those who earn less. Health insurance plans vary from state to state.
One of the major benefits with Medicare Part A is that hospice benefits are inclusive. Hospice benefits are the terminally ill. The patient may have less than six months to live. Hospice care through Medicare Part A is covered 100%. There are no co-pays or deductibles to pay. However, patients will be required to pay for any respite care or outpatient drugs.
Medicare Part A does not include the coverage of prescription drugs. In order to save money on prescription drugs, you may want to consider enrolling into Medicare Part D. This health insurance plan complements the Medicare Part A plan perfectly. If you are eligible for Part A then you are automatically eligible for Part D.
The advantage of dozens of health insurance plans continues to offer an array of options. With these personal health insurance coverage plans, you can combine them to coverage any and all personal health needs. If you find that Medicare Part A does not cover all your needs, you may want to consider Medicare B.
With Medicare health insurance plans, Part B coverage is more diverse and has a broader range of services. There are minimal fees for those who qualify and meet the low income requirements. With Medicare Part B, you can expect the physician coverage that you need. Medicare is responsible for paying for your doctor’s visit. Like most personal health insurance coverage, there will be out-of-pocket costs such as deductibles and co-payments.
Personal health insurance coverage from Medicare Part B includes:
- Inpatient or Outpatient visits to a doctor
- Ambulance Services
- Medical Services that are needed to diagnose and/or treat your medical condition (laboratory tests, MRI, CT scan, X-rays, Physical therapy and other rehabilitation Services)
- Home healthcare and Preventive health care services including flu shots and other vaccines
- Medicare Part B only covers for surgeries and treatments that are medically necessary.
- Cosmetic surgeries are not included.
Your monthly premium expenses are deducted from your social security checks or retirement benefits. If you are in a Medicare Health plan, your costs might be different than others as do most medical health compensation plans. You are required to pay the deductibles before Medicare pays it portion. Deductibles change every year on the month of January. So be sure to check or call your service provider for important updates.
Premium costs might go higher if you fail to sign up before your initial enrollment ends. You must sign up from the first time you become eligible for Medicare Part B health insurance. There is an update for 2014 on Medicare Part B deductibles and co-sharing of costs. The fees are based on your income.
It is important for you to consult your doctor about your medical needs before you chose a plan. This help you decide which personal health insurance coverage suits you. With Medicare Part B, you can add Medicare Part D, which covers prescription drugs. Part D allows you to receive discounts on premium medicine. This can be a savings of hundreds of dollars a month. If you need assistance choosing a Medicare plan, let Blue Sky Coverage help you with your needs. Call us today for a quote.
