Over 60 Million Americans currently benefit from Medicare Health Insurance and millions more are expented to join in the coming years.
What is Medicare vs Medicaid?
Many individuals often wonder about the distinctions between Medicare and Medicaid (Medi-Cal). Medicare is a health insurance program specifically designed for senior citizens, while Medicaid is a form of financial and healthcare aid for low-income individuals. It is worth noting that some individuals who are 65 years old or older may be eligible for both programs. In such cases, Medicare takes precedence as the primary insurance, while Medicaid acts as the secondary coverage.
The government offers various Savings Programs that can be accessed through your state’s Medicaid office. These programs can potentially assist you in paying your Part B premiums and provide support for your prescription drug plans. To determine if you qualify for these programs, it is advisable to consult with your state’s Medicaid office.
What doesn’t Medicare cover?
This question is quite significant as numerous individuals are uninformed that it fails to encompass all the healthcare expenses that beneficiaries may come across.
Medicare excludes coverage for:
– Long-term care
– Hearing aids
– Regular dental care
– Routine vision care
– Medical care outside of the United States
– Dentures
– Plastic and/or cosmetic surgery
– Massage therapy.
Takeaways
1. The Medicare program consists of four distinct parts, namely Part A, B, C, and D. It is important to note that Part C, D, and Medigap plans are offered by private insurance carriers (such as Medicare Advantage Plans) rather than the federal government.
2. Upon enrolling in Medicare Part A and Part B, individuals are presented with two primary plan choices. They can either opt for a Medigap plan and a Part D plan, or they can choose to enroll in an Advantage plan.