What is Medicare?
Medicare is a social insurance program administered by the U.S. government, which helps with medical costs for seniors and some disabled people.
To get Medicare, you must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident and be at least 65 years old. You can also qualify for Medicare if you are younger than 65 and have certain disabilities.
Medicare has different costs depending on the type of coverage you have. For example, Part A is free for most people, but Part B has a monthly premium. You may also have to pay a deductible and coinsurance.
A Medicare supplement, also known as Medigap, is insurance that helps pay some of the costs that Original Medicare does not cover, such as copayments, coinsurance, and deductibles. There are ten standardized Medigap plans available in most states. Plans A through N cover different levels of cost sharing, and Plan F is the most comprehensive.
What is Medicare Advantage?
Medicare Advantage plans are another way to get Medicare coverage. These plans, also known as Part C, are offered by private insurance companies and must follow certain rules set by Medicare. They typically include Part A, Part B, and sometimes Part D coverage, and some plans also offer extra benefits like dental or vision care.
If you decide to enroll in Medicare, you have a few different options for how to get your coverage. You can enroll through the government website, by calling Medicare, or at a local Medicare office.
You can also enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan or a Medigap plan through a local health insurance agent or private insurance company.
When you enroll in Medicare, you will need to choose a primary care provider (PCP). Your PCP is the doctor you will see for most of your medical needs. You can change your PCP if you are not happy with the one you have.
You will also need to choose a hospital where you want to receive care. Again, Medicare Advantage plans and some Medigap plans have networks of preferred hospitals.
You will also need to choose a pharmacy where you will get your prescriptions filled. Medicare Advantage plans and some Medigap plans have networks of preferred pharmacies.
Local Help from Licensed Agents
The best way to find a Medicare insurance agent is to do a quick online search. You can also ask your friends and family for referrals. Be sure to ask the agent about their experience working with Medicare, and what plans they offer.