What is Medicare Insurance?

Basic Information about Medicare

Medicare is a health insurance program, provided by the government for people that are 65 years or older, many disabled people that are under the age of 65, and people that have permanent kidney failure which requires ongoing dialysis or a kidney transplant.

What Does Medicare Cover?

Medicare offers several plans to its members including an HMO, Special Needs Plan, and private fee for service plans that allow members to continue seeing the doctor they have been with for years. The new prescription drug plan also covers many of the expenses incurred for prescribed medications.

Medicare also covers ambulance service, chiropractic care, clinical trials, diabetic supplies, emergency room visits, eyeglasses, hearing tests, kidney dialysis, long term care, mental health services, medical tests, MRIs, CT scans, and EKGs.

What is Medicare Part A?

Medicare Part A is hospital insurance. It is designed to cover hospital stays, stays in a skilled nursing facility, and hospice care. It even has a few provisions for home health care. To apply for coverage you must be at least 65 years old. Enrollment in Medicare Part A requires the payment of a small premium, but if you can not afford it, many states will help cover the cost.

When you are enrolled in Medicare Part A, you can expect it to cover hospital stays in a semi private room, meals, general nursing and hospital supplies. You may incur some out of pocket expenses when you stay in the hospital, but the amount of these expenses varies depending on the plan you are enrolled in.

What is Medicare Part B?

Medicare Part B assists you in paying for outpatient care. When you are enrolled in Medicare Part B you can expect it to cover things like diagnostic tests, equipment such as wheelchairs, walkers, and oxygen, physical therapy, and some home health care. Medicare Part B also covers many preventative health treatments such as colon cancer screening, diabetes screening, flu shots, glaucoma testing, Hepatitis B shots, prostate cancer screening, mammograms, and pelvic exams.

There is a monthly premium for Medicare Part B and many states assist people with these premiums if their income qualifies them for financial help.

What Is Not Covered by Medicare A and B?

While Medicare does cover many medical procedures, there are a few things that it does not pay for. These include acupuncture, dental care, cosmetic surgery, hearing aids, long term care, orthopedic shoes, and eye refractions. Medicare covers the cost of many diabetic testing supplies, but not all diabetic supplies are eligible for coverage, so it is always a good idea to check if your supplies will be covered.