What You Need to Know About Medicare

Healthcare coverage is always a tricky, and at times stressful, thing to manage. It can seem increasingly more difficult when you move into retirement and enroll in Medicare. If you are looking to learn more about Medicare, check out the article below.

What You Need to Know About Medicare

First off, it is important to know that Medicare is federally funded, and its purpose is to provide healthcare for those who have retired, who are senior citizens, or who are disabled. As of 2019, there were 60.6 million Americans who received healthcare coverage through Medicare. There is the original Medicare program (that includes Part A and Park B), Medicare Advantage (Part C), and Part D, which is coverage for prescription medication. Here is a very basic breakdown of each part of Medicare:

  • Part A: This Medicare coverage is for hospital visits, home health care, nursing facilities, and hospice services.
  • Part B: This Medicare coverage is similar to traditional medical insurance and covers regular visits and exams with your primary care physician.
  • Part C: This Medicare coverage is specific to Medicare beneficiaries.
  • Part D: This Medicare coverage is for any prescription medications needed.

The Medicare policies may differ from state to state. It is important to know your state’s requirements prior to enrollment.

To enroll in Medicare, you can create an account on the Social Security Administration’s website where you will need to provide your name, address, telephone number, Social Security number, a birth certificate, a driver’s license, proof of citizenship, and know which Medicare option you plan to enroll in.