Medicare Basics

Find the Medicare coverage that meets all your needs

Medicare is a health care program for senior citizens and people with certain disabilities. People who apply for Medicare have to make decisions about the type and amount of coverage they need.

If retirement is on your mind, or if you want to continue working but want Medicare coverage, there are numerous options to consider when applying for Medicare coverage. Think about the following Medicare basics when you submit your application or update your coverage:

1. Research the Medicare program options so you can apply for the coverage you need.

2. Compare Medicare supplemental insurance plans side by side so you can pick the plans that give you the coverage you need.

3. Save money on prescriptions by choosing a Medicare Part D plan that covers all your medications.

 

Learn Medicare basics

The Medicare program has numerous requirements. Determining if you are eligible for Medicare is a challenge. Once you determine you are eligible for basic Medicare, you have to decide the programs you need to look into. In most cases, you should sign up for all of the coverage you need at all once because signing up for programs or parts later may result in coverage delays.
Try: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services offers detailed information about the Medicare program, including Medicare benefits and coverage information. The US Department of Health and Human Services has information about the qualifying criteria for the Medicare program. This website also offers an online application for coverage.

Decipher your Medicare benefits

The Medicare program has different levels or parts. Each of these parts offers different coverage. Choosing the parts that you need takes a lot of thought. Reading detailed information about all of the options ensures that you will get the coverage you need.
Try: Today's Seniors offers detailed information, including the link to a chart, to help you decide what Medigap or Medicare supplemental insurance coverage is right for you. The Center for Medicare Advocacy offers numerous articles, some of which include legal advice, to help ensure you choose the most appropriate Medicare insurance for your needs.

Get the Medicare drug plan that covers your medications

The Medicare Part D program is prescription drug coverage. Participating in the Part D program means that you have to commit to using one company to fill your prescriptions. Because each of the programs varies slightly, you should research a variety of plans to ensure that all of the prescriptions you take on a regular basis are covered.
Try: Get the details on Medicare Part D from the official source, the Department of Health and Human Services. The American Academy of Family Physicians has information to help you decipher the Medicare Prescription Drug Plan, including answers to basic questions.

 

• Print out Medicare information sheets to make it easier for you to compare the coverage options provided by various companies.

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