If you are approaching your 65th birthday, you may be getting ready to enroll in Medicare. This federal government health insurance plan provides free or low cost health coverage to millions of Americans aged 65 or older as well as those with disabilities.
There are different Medicare coverage levels. Once you understand your options and the plans you may be able to get, applying for Medicare can be easier. Continue reading the sections below to learn how to apply for Medicare, the different plans involved, and the steps you can take to prepare for enrollment.
Are you interested in learning about Medicare Part A and B? Millions of Americans 65 and older qualify for Original Medicare, which is a government health insurance plan, as long as they have paid taxes while they were employed and/or are eligible for Social Security or Railroad Retirement Board benefits.
Even if you don’t meet the age or work-related requirements, you may be able to apply for Medicare if you have been diagnosed with End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) or Lou Gehrig’s disease (ALS) or have a spouse with Medicare through a government job.
There are different Medicare plans, called “parts.” Each part covers different types of healthcare costs. Learn more about Original Medicare, which is made up of Part A and Part B, in the sections below.
Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance)
Medicare Part A makes up half of what is known as Original Medicare. As the name suggests, Medicare Part A covers inpatient hospital stays. If you have Medicare and need to be admitted to the hospital on doctor’s orders, Medicare Part A pays some of the costs.
It also covers other health services, including the following:
- Care provided at skilled nursing facilities (SNFs)
- Hospice care
- Home health care
Part A is meant to cover people for various types of serious accidents, injuries, trauma and major illness and disease.
Most people who qualify for Medicare don’t have to pay monthly premiums for Part A. That’s because they or a spouse paid into Medicare long enough while they were working. In most cases, this translates to about 10 total years of work. These employment years don’t have to be consecutive.
However, those who don’t qualify for premium-free Medicare Part A may still be able to purchase it by paying monthly premiums. To purchase Part A, individuals must also enroll in Part B.
Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance)
Medicare Part B is the other half of Original Medicare. Part B covers a variety of services and care that people may need on a regular basis. There are two categories of services covered under Part B:
- Medically necessary treatments – these are any services or care provided that helps diagnose or treat medical conditions. Covered services must meet the accepted standards of medical practice.
- Preventive services – services needed to prevent illnesses or detect medical conditions at an early stage.
Some of the most common services covered by Medicare Part B include regular doctor visits, services from other healthcare providers, outpatient care, screenings, clinical research, vaccines and annual wellness visits and durable medical equipment such as wheelchairs, walkers and hospital beds.
