At Elite Benefits Group, we have extensive experience in the insurance industry, and we are thoroughly knowledgeable about Medicare. We understand Medicare can be confusing, especially when you are first signing up for it, so we have put together this article to go over some basic information you need to know about this program.
- Who is Eligible? – Anyone over the age of 65 is eligible for Medicare. In addition, you can also qualify for Medicare if you have certain disabilities, even if you are younger than 65. If you have been receiving Social Security disability benefits for at least 24 months, then you qualify for Medicare benefits, too.
- What is Covered? – Medicare is divided into parts, each of which covers different services. Part A covers hospital care, skilled nursing facility, hospice, lab tests, surgery, and home health care, while part B covers outpatient care, doctors’ (and other care providers’) services, durable medical equipment such as wheelchairs, and some preventative services. Part C covers wellness services, as well as things like vision and hearing screenings, eyeglasses, and hearing aids. Lastly, Part D covers prescription drugs.
- What is Not Covered? – One type of care that Medicare does not generally cover is custodial care, or care that helps you with things like dressing, bathing, and other activities of daily living. If you require this kind of assistance after recovering from a surgery or injury, or as a result of a disability, then you will need to use your savings to pay out of pocket or rely on long-term care insurance or Medicaid.