Medicare Updates
How Old do You have to be to Qualify for Medicare?
People qualify for Medicare benefits in one of three ways: Age Disability Certain illnesses Medicare for people turning 65 Most people know that when they turn 65 they can start receiving Medicare. In general, you are eligible at 65 if you or your spouse worked and paid Medicare taxes for at least 10 years. You can get Part A at age 65 without having to pay premiums if you: [...]
What is Medicare Advantage?
Medicare Advantage is also referred to as Medicare Part C. These are private Medicare plans where you pay copays for many routine services like doctor’s visits, lab-work, ambulance, surgeries, hospital stays, urgent care and more. Did you know you don’t have to be turning 65 to be eligible for Medicare Advantage? Certain individuals are eligible for Medicare under the age of 65, including those with disabilities. Many of the [...]
What is the Difference Between Medicare and Social Security?
A lot of people confuse Social Security with Medicare, but they are completely different programs. To start, here is what they have in common: Individually funded by payroll taxes Provide benefits to people who are eligible Help people with certain disabilities But more importantly, here is how they differ. Social Security A federal program that provides benefits for retirees who have worked and paid Social Security taxes for at [...]
Does Medicare Cover Hearing Aids?
It’s no secret that as we age our vision and hearing start to decline. In fact, it’s estimated that nearly two-thirds of people over the age of 70 are affected by hearing loss. This can make it difficult to do once easy tasks, such as hearing conversations, your favorite TV shows, alarms and more. But it’s a small price we pay for living and long and happy life. Original [...]
What is the Difference Between Medicare and Medicaid?
While they sound similar, Medicare and Medicaid are actually two entirely different programs. Both programs can help you pay for healthcare and medical expenses but are completely different in nature. Medicaid is a state and federal program that provides health coverage for low-income Americans regardless of their age. Medicare, on the other hand, is a federal health insurance program that guarantees coverage for individuals ages 65 and over and people [...]
How do I Apply for Medicare?
As you get closer and closer to turning 65, you might question whether or not you need to enroll in Medicare. Do you need to enroll or will you be automatically enrolled? Collecting Social Security benefits? If you are collecting some form of Social Security, whether that is due to retirement or disability, you are automatically enrolled in Medicare Part A and Part B when you become eligible. You [...]
Does Medicare Cover Dental Care?
As you begin to select the Medicare plan that will be best for you, questions will arise as to whether certain services are covered or not. If you are concerned about dental care, it’s important to know what is and isn’t covered. Does Medicare cover dental? Medicare Part A and Part B, also known as Original Medicare, does cover some dental care. However common dental care services such as [...]
Can I Receive Medicare if I’m Under 65?
If you’re under 65 and already on Medicare, there may be a lot more Medicare benefits for you than you ever imagined. If you are under the age of 65, you can be eligible for Medicare if: You’ve received Social Security Disability Insurance checks for at least 24 months. OR you’ve been diagnosed with End-Stage Renal Disease (ESDR) OR you have Lou Gehrig’s disease (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS) [...]
Medicare Open Enrollment Period Commonly Asked Questions
There is a lot to consider when becoming eligible for Medicare, and many people question if they make the right decision, selecting the best plan for their needs. If you have enrolled in Medicare but are wondering if there is something better out there for you, the Open Enrollment period is your time to investigate this further. For everything you need to know about Medicare Open Enrollment Period, read [...]
What Doctors can I use on my Medicare Plan?
As you begin considering different Medicare Plans, one important factor is finding a doctor near you that accepts Medicare. As you start researching, do your homework! Check with your local clinic, hospital, and doctors to see who accepts Medicare. You can do this at your upcoming appointments, checking with the doctor or at the front desk. Why should I see a doctor that accepts Medicare? Choosing a doctor that [...]
Making Time for You: The Importance of Self-Care
Life can be stressful. Between caring for loves ones, keeping an active social life, work, planning for retirement, taking care of a house, yard, chores, and working out….we barely have any time – or energy – left for ourselves. But how can we care for others, if we aren’t healthy ourselves? The answer is self-care! What is self-care? Simply put, self-care is paying attention to one’s own physical, mental, [...]
Most Common Medicare Open Enrollment Period Questions
There is a lot to consider when becoming eligible for Medicare, and many people question if they make the right decision, selecting the best plan for their needs. If you have enrolled in Medicare but are wondering if there is something better out there for you, the Open Enrollment period is your time to investigate this further. For everything you need to know about Medicare Open Enrollment Period, read [...]
How do I get a Replacement Medicare Card?
Your Medicare card is proof of your Medicare insurance. Once enrolled in Medicare, you’ll get your red, white, and blue Medicare card in the mail, usually 3 months before you turn 65 if you are automatically enrolled. Your Medicare card shows that you have Medicare health insurance, including whether you have Part A (Hospital Insurance), Part B (Medical Insurance) or both. Your Medicare card will also show the date [...]
Medicare for Individuals with Disabilities
Many people understand that they will start receiving Medicare when they turn 65. However, there are other criteria that qualify certain individuals under the age of 65, including disabilities. If you qualify for Social Security disability benefits, you may also qualify for Medicare to cover your medical expenses. If you receive a monthly benefit to help replace lost wages that result from your permanent disability, you might be eligible. To [...]
Medicare Part D FAQ
What is Medicare Part D? There are four parts of Medicare. In general: Inpatient hospital coverage = Medicare Part A Outpatient medical coverage = Medicare Part A Alternative benefit form to Original Medicare that offers extra benefits = Medicare Part C Prescription drug coverage = Medicare Part D Today, we will be looking further into Medicare Part D. What does Medicare Part D cover? Medicare Part D is the prescription [...]