Some Basic Medicare Information
After my Fiance’s father had a stroke while covered by Medicare Insurance, he and his wife found out they did not qualify for any extended in home care. At that time we all did some research into Medicare Insurance and found out that those types of benefit’s were not available to him due to the type of Medicare he was signed up for. We also found out that it costs around $4,000.00 to have an in home nurse come in and take care of him while his wife was at work. I thought I would compile a short version of the different types of Medicare Insurance coverage and policies available.
The Original Medicare Insurance Programs
- Part A, If you are receiving Social Security at the time you become eligible for Medicare and if you are qualified for Part A and not paying a premium you will automatically be signed up for Part A and Part B. Three months before you are eligable for Medicare Benifits you will receive Medicare Insurance information and your card. In the scenario you are not receiving Social Security Benefits when you become eligable for Medicare Insurance you must apply for benefits. Applying for Medicare is easy and can be accomplished by going to your Local Social Security Administration office (SSA). In the Longview Washington area the address is 1145 14Th Avenue, Longview Washington 98632. You are eligable to enroll three months prior to turning sixty five years old.
- Part B, Medicare Medical Insurance or commonly known as Part B, helps pay for Physicians services and outpatient care. It is also designed to pay for necessary services and most supplies that Part A does not cover. Hence extended in home care. Note Part B is supplemental and optional and has a premium attached to it. If you are Qualified for Part A, you are also qualified for Part B.
Supplementing Original Medicare Insurance
The original Medicare Insurance both Part A and Part B, do not cover all of your costs for health care. Be advised if not warned there are other ways available to fill the gaps that Medicare does not cover. Just a few of your choices available to you to supplement your Medicare Insurance are as follows:
- Employment Based Plans
- Medicare Supplemental Insurance Coverage
- Medicare Advantage Plans see part (C)
- The Medicare Prescription Drug Program see part (D)
When considering these options to supplement your Medicare Insurance, the best information can be provided by your Insurance Agent, or contact an Agent here locally in Kelso or Longview Washington.
Here are a few additional links for more information concerning Medicare Insurance or Supplemental Insurance that is available.
Washington State Insurance Commisioners Website http://www.insurance.wa.gov/publications/medicare/Your_Medicare_Choices.pdf
Medicare http://www.medicare.gov/
Medicare Advantage Plans http://www.insurance.wa.gov/
Longview Washington SSA-Medicare Insurance Information http://www.superpages.com/yellowpages/C-Social+Security+Services/S-WA/T-Longview/
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