• Home
  • Medigap Plans
  • Medicare Advantage
  • Medicare Drug Plans
  • Medicare 101

Medigap & You

Medicare Supplement Insurance Plans & Information

You are here: Home / Medicare Coverage / Top Ten Medicare Facts Everyone Turning 65 Should Know

April 7, 2017

Top Ten Medicare Facts Everyone Turning 65 Should Know

Are you turning 65 soon? If so, there are a few things that you really need to know about the healthcare system, like what it provides and what it doesn’t.

With that in mind, we’ve prepared these ten quick and simple general facts to make sure you know when considering your Medicare options:

  1. Original Medicare includes Parts A and B which are offered through the Federal government.
  2. Part D prescription drug coverage, is a standalone add-on plan to Original Medicare. You can browse Part D Plans by state in our online catalog here.
  3. Original Medicare doesn’t cover all of your hospital and medical expenses, there are significant coverage gaps that you should know about.
  4. Medigap insurance plans, sometimes called Medicare Supplemental Plans, can help fill in the gaps that come with Medicare Parts A and B.
  5. Medicare Advantage Plans, also known as Part C, are offered by private insurance companies and provide your Part A, Part B and often Part D coverage.
  6. Cost and coverage for Parts A and B are the same all over the US, but Medigap, Medicare Advantage and Part D Plans vary by state and sometimes even by county.
  7. Those who are currently employed or those who have retiree insurance from a former employer, might not need to enroll in a privately insured Medicare plan. Check with your HR department on how your current plan fits with Medicare. You still might want to enroll in Original Medicare.
  8. Don’t put off enrolling in Medicare, because if you wait you could end up paying more for your coverage and have fewer choices. There are penalties for late enrollment.
  9. Medicare allows for freedom and flexibility in plan selection. It’s important to make sure your plan meets your needs. You have the ability to change plans at least once a year.
  10. Medicare is your right, you earned it! Ask for help and take full advantage of your benefits.

What Medicare Does Not Cover

The most significant point to come to grips with is what Medicare covers and what it doesn’t. In general, Medicare covers services deemed medically necessary. There is one caveat to this, and that’s your outpatient prescription medications. Even though your prescription might be medically necessary to handle a chronic health condition, Medicare does not cover this expense, you do by purchasing a Medicare Part D prescription drug plan.

Here’s the short list of what Medicare doesn’t cover:

  • Long-term care (also called custodial care)
  • Most dental care and oral health procedures
  • Eye examinations related to prescribing glasses
  • Dentures
  • Cosmetic surgery
  • Acupuncture
  • Hearing aids and exams for fitting them
  • Routine foot care

In addition to what Medicare does not cover, they only pay for about 80 percent of what is covered. You’re on the hook for the rest. We’ll be blogging more on this topic in the coming weeks.

Related:

  • Senior Health Issues Related to Poor Oral Health
  • How to Approach Medicare for the First Time
  • Late Enrollment Penalties in Medicare

Related posts:

Considering Your Personal Medicare Part D Coverage
Medicare Advantage: An Option to Original Medicare
Dental Coverage for Seniors: What Medicare Offers... and Doesn't!

Article by mattspits / Medicare Coverage Leave a Comment

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Fast & Free 2017
Medicare Quote
What is your Zip Code?
Are you age 65 or older?
MedigapAndYou.com offers free information that helps seniors find and compare Medicare insurance, including Medicare Supplements, Medicare Advantage Plans and Prescription Drug Plans. Our goal is to help seniors save money on their out-of-pocket healthcare costs by showing them all of their options. Our plan data comes from government, non-profit and private sources. Be sure to confirm coverage and premiums before enrolling in a Medicare plan. MedigapAndYou.com does not endorse any specific plan, and we are not affiliated with or endorsed by the government or the Medicare program. CMS has neither reviewed nor endorsed the information contained on this website. To contact Medicare directly, call 1-800-MEDICARE or visit www.medicare.gov.

Copyright © 2019 MedigapAndYou.com · About · Contact · Privacy · Disclosure