Saturday 7 July 2018

The Most Commonly Asked Medicare Questions Answered

By Ronald Rogers


If you have reached retirement age, and are getting ready to give up your job, you need to know how all of this is going to impact your healthcare. While you are working, you probably have health coverage provided by your employer. After you retire, these benefit will stop, and you may be faced with the government program options to pay the costs of hospital and doctor visits. Everybody needs their Medicare questions answered. Below are some of the most common concerns.

People want to know if they will qualify for this healthcare plan. You qualify once you reach the age of sixty-five if you are a U. S. Citizen and you worked for at least ten years in jobs that were covered by the program. If you retired at sixty-two and are receiving Social Security, you will automatically receive benefits once you reach sixty-five. The program is available for those younger than sixty-five who have been receiving disability benefits for at least two years.

Seniors want to know what they are required to do in preparation of these benefits. The process is automated for those who worked at least ten years and have turned sixty-five. You will be mailed a Part A and B card about ninety days before your birthday. There is no charge for Part A. There is a cost associated with Part B. If you don't want to participate in Part B, you have to contact the government and tell them so. Your coverage starts in the month you turn sixty-five.

Some people are confused about the difference between Medicaid and Medicare. Medicare is a program for retired Americans who worked and had FICA taxes taken out of their payroll checks. Medicaid is based on income. It is for low income individuals who have no ability to pay for healthcare. It is funded by the federal government and the individual states. Your eligibility depends on standards mandated by the state in which you live.

Most people know this program doesn't cover everything. Most people don't know what those things are. In most instances, this program will not pay for routine orthopedic care, vision and dental care, hearing aids, or custodial care. It won't pay for cosmetic surgery or acupuncture. Dentures are not covered.

The plan does cover Alzheimer's care, both the physical and psychological care. Hospice care is also covered under the plan. It covers bone density tests, wellness checks, flu shots, mammograms, prostate cancer and cardiovascular disease screenings, and alcohol counseling.

Most seniors do not want to change doctors and are concerned that theirs will not accept the program. Nearly all physicians accept fee-for-service plans. Some do not accept patients who rely on Parts A and B only. These tend to be specialists who treat seniors on a private pay basis.

Getting older can be difficult. Understanding what your healthcare rights and responsibilities are is important. If you have questions, you can call the toll free government numbers and speak to a specialist.




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