Finance
-
Bob’s Tech Talk: Sports Scores, Lost AppleID Passwords, and Google Preservation
Q. I am looking for a way to follow sports scores from different games on my phone. Does that...
-
Savvy Senior: What is the Retirement Saver’s Credit?
Dear Savvy Senior, Can you explain to me how the retirement saver’s tax credit works? My wife and I...
Local Stories
-
Pet of the Month: Grandma
The shelter is no place for a sweet senior like Grandma. She is looking for a soft place to land...
-
Pet of the Month: Milo
Meet Milo, a special 2-year-old neutered male in search of his forever home.
Veterans
-
All Veterans Exposed to Toxins Now Eligible for VA Healthcare
The Veterans Administration announced in March that all veterans who were exposed to toxins and...
-
Lebanon VAMC Offers Veterans Uber Program for Medical Appointments
South-central Pennsylvania veterans are now able to participate in VA Uber Health Connect, an...
Lifestyle
-
You Gotta Be Kidding!
One Monday evening in 1957, the switchboard at the London office of the BBC came ablaze with...
-
Nurse Nancy: Do a Spring Refresh with Hygge
Spring is a time for all things bright and beautiful. As the days grow warmer and the sun shines...
Travel
-
Willing to Wander: Tracking Truffles
Nadine was excited. She scampered along a haphazard route, pausing now and then to sniff at the...
-
Willing to Wander: Dodge Winter at the World’s Best Beaches
A stretch of golden sand lies against a backdrop of colorful Art Deco architecture. Further north, people...
Social Security News: Medicare, Explained
- Details
- Written by John Johnston John Johnston
- Category: Uncategorised Uncategorised
- Published: 15 October 2018 15 October 2018
Social Security and Medicare have a few things in common. Both programs help safeguard millions of Americans as well as improve the quality of life for our family and friends.
Although both programs are household names, many people may not be familiar with the details of Medicare.
Medicare is our country’s health insurance program for people age 65 or older. The program helps with the cost of healthcare, but it doesn’t cover all medical expenses or the cost of most long-term care.
You have choices for how you get Medicare coverage. If you choose to have original Medicare coverage, you can buy a Medicare supplement policy (called Medigap) from a private insurance company to cover some of the costs that Medicare does not.
Medicare has four parts:
Medicare Part A (hospital insurance) helps pay for inpatient care in a hospital or skilled nursing facility (following a hospital stay). Part A also pays for some home healthcare and hospice care.
Medicare Part B (medical insurance) helps pay for services from doctors and other healthcare providers, outpatient care, home healthcare, durable medical equipment, and some preventive services.
Medicare Part C (Medicare Advantage) includes all benefits and services covered under Part A and Part B. Some plans include Medicare prescription drug coverage (Medicare Part D) and other extra benefits and services.
Medicare Part D (Medicare prescription drug coverage) helps cover the cost of prescription drugs.
Some people with limited resources and income may also be able to get Extra Help with the costs — monthly premiums, annual deductibles, and prescription co-payments — related to a Medicare prescription drug plan.
The Extra Help is estimated to be worth about $4,900 per year. You must meet the resources and income requirement.
Medicare’s different parts are further explained in our publication at www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs/EN-05-10043.pdf.
If you can’t afford to pay your Medicare premiums and other medical costs, you may be able to get help from your state. States offer programs for people eligible for or entitled to Medicare who have low income.
Some programs may pay for Medicare premiums, and some pay Medicare deductibles and coinsurance. To qualify, you must have Medicare Part A and have limited income and resources.
You can learn more about Medicare, including how to apply for Medicare and get a replacement Medicare card, at www.socialsecurity.gov/benefits/medicare.
John Johnston is a Social Security public affairs specialist.