Part A (Original Medicare)

What is it?

Medicare Part A, also known as Original Medicare, is the basic Medicare program for people age 65 and older. It helps to cover inpatient hospital service, hospice and home health care.

Part A lets you choose any doctor or other health care provider that accepts Medicare. It is free coverage if you or your spouse has paid into Social Security for at least ten years.

What are the details?

An enrollment packet will be sent to you about three months before your 65^th birthday. Your Medicare card will be inside the packet, along with more about what you need to know about your benefits. Coverage starts the first day of the month you turn 65. If you don’t get your packet, ask the Social Security Administration to send you one.

What else should I know?

• If you’re a citizen or permanent resident of the United States age 65 or older, you can still enroll in Medicare Part A even if your full Social Security retirement age is not 65.
• If you’re getting Social Security or Railroad Retiree benefits, you will be signed up for Medicare Part A without having to do anything.
• If you work past age 65 for a company with 20 or more fulltime employees, you can use your company’s plan as your main coverage.

Part C (Medicare Advantage)

What is it?

Medicare Part A and Part B make up what is sometimes called “Original Medicare.” While Parts A and B are helpful, most people who are Medicare eligible buy more insurance. Let’s look at Part C, or Medicare Advantage plans, which are offered by private insurance companies.

Unlike Original Medicare, a Medicare Advantage plan often has different rules for how you get services or which medical providers you can see. You may pay a monthly premium for Part C coverage.

So, what’s the advantage?

Private insurance companies that offer Part C usually offer other benefits, such as hearing, dental, and wellness programs. Some Medicare Advantage plans offer coverage for prescription drugs. Because there are many differences between Part C plans, you should take your time to shop and compare.

What are the details?

You can enroll in a Medicare Advantage Plan when you first become eligible for Medicare. The Initial Enrollment Period starts three months before the month of your 65t^h birthday and ends three months after your birthday month. To be eligible, you must live in the area where the Medicare Advantage Plan is being offered.

You can switch plans from October 15 through December 7 during the Annual Enrollment Period. In most cases, you will stay enrolled for the calendar year starting from the date your coverage begins. But sometimes you can change your Medicare Advantage Plan. If you move or lose your insurance coverage, you may be able to change your plan during a special enrollment period.

• If you’re a citizen or permanent resident of the United States age 65 or older, you can still enroll in Medicare Part A even if your full Social Security retirement age is not 65.
• If you’re getting Social Security or Railroad Retiree benefits, you will be signed up for Medicare Part A without having to do anything.
• If you work past age 65 for a company with 20 or more fulltime employees, you can use your company’s plan as your main coverage.

Medicare Supplement Insurance

What is it?

Medicare Supplement Insurance Plans help pay for health care costs that are not covered by Original Medicare, Parts A and B. Medicare Supplement plans — which are sometimes called Medigap policies — are sold through private insurance companies. They may protect you against medical costs that are not covered or are unexpected.

Medicare Supplement Insurance Plans are “standardized” by the government and are named by the letters A through N. Standardized means that all the companies’ plans are the same. The only difference is price, reputation, and customer service.

Who is eligible and when do I enroll?

The best time to buy a Medicare Supplement Insurance Plan is when you first become eligible, up to one year before your 65^th birthday. Your coverage begins the same day that your Medicare Part B coverage starts.

Keep in mind that you cannot be turned down because of a pre-existing condition when you first apply for a Medicare Supplement Insurance Plan.

What else should I know?

Keep these factors in mind when deciding if Medicare Supplement Insurance is right for you.

• Don’t be confused between Medicare Supplement Insurance Plans and the Medicare Parts. The Medicare Supplement Insurance Plans — A through N — help pay for expenses that are not covered by Medicare A and B.
• Medicare Supplement plans cover only one person. The plan gives you the freedom to choose your own doctors, specialists, and hospitals.
• Medicare Supplement Insurance Plans do not include prescription drug coverage.
• You can’t have a Medicare Supplement Insurance Plan and a Medicare Advantage Plan at the same time, so if you have a Medicare Supplement Insurance Plan and decide to join a Medicare Advantage Plan, you will have to drop your Medicare Supplement Insurance Plan.
• And finally, Original Medicare may only pay 80 percent for certain coverages. You will have to pay for the other 20 percent. Look carefully at the costs of the plans to decide whether a Medicare Supplement Insurance Plan will help you.