Turning 65 and new to Medicare?

Step 1. Let's begin by learning the different parts of Medicare

1. Parts of Medicare.

Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance): Helps cover inpatient care in hospitals, skilled nursing facility care, hospice care, and home health care.

Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance):Services from doctors and other health care providers Outpatient care Home health care Durable medical equipment (like wheelchairs, walkers, hospital beds, and other equipment) Many preventive services (like screenings, shots or vaccines, and yearly “Wellness” visits)

Part D (Drug coverage): Helps cover the cost of prescription drugs (including many recommended shots or vaccines). You join a Medicare drug plan in addition to Original Medicare, or you get it by joining a Medicare Advantage Plan with drug coverage. Plans that offer Medicare drug coverage are run by private insurance companies that follow rules set by Medicare.

Step 2. How Do I sign up and when?

Step 1. Let's begin by learning the different parts of Medicare

Generally, you’re first eligible to sign up for Part A and Part B starting 3 months before you turn 65 and ending 3 months after the month you turn 65.

Most people sign up for both Part A (Hospital Insurance) and Part B (Medical Insurance) when they’re first eligible (usually when they turn 65). Keep in mind there are risks to signing up later, like a gap in your coverage or having to pay a penalty. However, in some cases, it might make sense to sign up later.

The fastest and easiest way to enroll is on-line https://www.ssa.gov/ then go to https://secure.ssa.gov/iClaim/rib

Step 3. tips for using Medicare

Step 1. Let's begin by learning the different parts of Medicare

Step 3. tips for using Medicare

1. Create your secure Medicare account – Access your information anytime. You can also: Add your prescriptions to help you better compare health and drug plans in your area. View your Original Medicare claims as soon as they're processed. Print a copy of your official Medicare card. Review a list of preventive services you're eligible to get in Original Medicare. Learn about your Medicare premiums, and pay them online if you get a bill from Medicare. You’ll need your Medicare Number to create an account. If you don’t have your Medicare card yet, you can log into your secure Social Security account to get your Medicare Number, or call us at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) for help. TTY users can call 1-877-486-2048. If you join a Medicare health or drug plan, your plan may offer an online account to track your claims.

2. Give Medicare permission to talk to someone you trust – We can’t share any information about your Medicare account, like claims or billing, unless you give us written permission first. Fill out and mail us an authorization form or log into your Medicare account to give us permission to talk to a person you trust (like a spouse, family member, or caregiver).

3. Find out if you qualify for help with costs – If you have limited income, you may qualify for help paying costs, like your premiums or for drugs. Find cost saving programs.

4. Go paperless –You can save and print information anytime for your records. Log into your account to get these items electronically: “Medicare & You” handbook – We’ll send you an email with a link to the PDF version. With the PDF version, you can enter search words to quickly find what you want, and print the pages you need. Original Medicare claims statements – You’ll get these statements, called Medicare Summary Notices, every month instead of waiting 3 months for them to arrive by mail. Access them anytime in your Medicare account.

5. Get your free "Welcome to Medicare" visit – Schedule this free preventive visit with your doctor during your first year with Medicare. You’ll talk with your doctor about your medical history, your health needs, and preventive services that may be right for you.

Taking the Mystery Out of Medicare

When is comes to Medicare insurance after age 65 you have Four choices:

1. Employer Group Plan many plans have , co-pay, deductibles and or coinsurance charges.

2. Original Medicare which covers about 80% and you are responsible out-of-pocket for the rest.

3. Medicare Advantage Plans, typically an HMO, a managed care plan, co-pays, must stay within network) or PPO with monthly premiums, co-pays, deductibles and maximum out of pocket expenses for in and out of network benefits. Some plans require prioritization and prior approval.

4. Medicare Supplement with stand-alone Prescription Drug Plan. Note monthly premiums vary and can be used any provider that accepts Medicare without a referral.

What Medicare covers

Medicare Part A hospital insurance covers inpatient hospital care, skilled nursing facility, hospice, lab tests, surgery, home health care.

Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance) covers, including doctor and other health care providers' services and outpatient care. Part B also covers durable medical equipment, home health care, and some preventive services.

What Medicare Does Not Cover

While Medicare covers many aspects of a person’s medical needs after age 65, there are some elements that are not covered by Medicare. Medicare doesn't cover everything. Some of the items and services Medicare doesn't cover include:

Long-Term Care (also called custodial care )
Most dental care
*Eye exams related to prescribing glasses
Dentures
Cosmetic surgery
*Acupuncture (certain limitations)
Hearing aids and exams for fitting them
Routine foot care

Note that however, Major Medical Eye Care, such as cataract surgery, diabetic eye check ups, and glaucoma, is covered by Medicare.

Medicare Advantage Plans vs a medigap medicare supplement

Medicare Advantage Plans are another way to get your Medicare Part A and Part B coverage. Medicare Advantage Plans, sometimes called “Part C” or “MA Plans,” are offered by Medicare-approved private companies that must follow rules set by Medicare. Most Medicare Advantage Plans include drug coverage (Part D). In most cases, you’ll need to use health care providers who participate in the plan’s network.

These plans set a limit on what you’ll have to pay out-of-pocket each year for covered services. Some plans offer non-emergency coverage out of network, but typically at a higher cost. Remember, you must use the card from your Medicare Advantage Plan to get your Medicare-covered services.

Once piece of advice, keep your red, white, and blue Medicare card in a safe place because you’ll need it if you ever switch back to Original Medicare.

Below are the most common types of Medicare Advantage Plans.

Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) Plans
Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) Plans
Private Fee-for-Service (PFFS) Plans
Dual Special Needs Plans (D-SNPs) for both Medicare AND Medicaid eligible beneficiaries.

Medigap/Medicare Supplement plans

Medigap is Medicare Supplement Insurance that helps fill "gaps" in Original Medicare and is sold by private companies. Original Medicare pays for much, but not all, of the cost for covered health care services and supplies. A Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap) policy can help pay some of the remaining health care costs, like: copayments, coinsurance and deductibles.

Medigap policies generally don't cover things like:

Long-term care (like non-skilled care you get in a nursing home)
Dental, vision or hearing benefits including hearing aids
Eyeglasses
Private-duty nursing

Have questions?

We recognize that Medicare can be a rather overwhelming and confusing especially when it comes to choosing a plan for the first time either turning 65 or retiring and leaving an employer group health plan or a retirement health plan. If you have any questions, or would like more information or just need an unbiased second opinion to weigh in on, call Chris Vedral 215-388-2158 or email info@magnoliaseniorbenefits.com

Check out our video library

What is Medicare Advantage?

Medicare Part C, also known as Medicare Advantage, is a popular alternative to Original Medicare. Learn more about the coverage these plans provide and how you can sign up

Medicare & You

Ways to Save Money

Medicare Supplement Plans Explained

Great way to save money on health care expenses

Is Medicare Supplement Right For You?

Many of your questions can be answered here

Important information about the different parts of Medicare coverage.

This short video will explain many of parts Medicare .

Medicare Open Enrollment.

This short video will explain Medicare Open Enrollment .

We do not offer every plan available in your area. Any information we provide is limited to those plans we do offer in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE to get information on all of your options. This is a proprietary website and is not associated, endorsed or authorized by the Social Security Administration, the Department of Health and Human Services or the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services. This site contains decision-support content and information about Medicare, services related to Medicare and services for people with Medicare. If you would like to find more information about the Medicare program please visit the Official U.S. Government Site for People with Medicare located at http://www.medicare.gov