Medicare

http://www.medicare.gov

800-633-4227

People age 65 or older, people under age 65 with certain disabilities, and people of all ages with End-Stage Renal Disease (permanent kidney failure requiring dialysis or a kidney transplant)

Provides government-funded healthcare coverage to specific populations of need. It may include both medical and drug coverage. Medicare is divided into the following parts:

• Part A Hospital Insurance helps cover inpatient care in hospitals, including critical access hospitals, and skilled nursing facilities (not custodial or long-term care). It also helps cover hospice care and some home health care. Beneficiaries must meet certain conditions to get these benefits. Most people don't pay a premium for Part A because they or a spouse already paid for it through their payroll taxes while working.
• Part B Medical Insurance helps cover doctors' services and outpatient care. It also covers some other medical services that Part A doesn't cover, such as some of the services of physical and occupational therapists, and some home health care. Part B helps pay for these covered services and supplies when they are medically necessary. Most people pay a monthly premium for Part B.
• Part C Medicare Advantage Plan - These are plans approved by Medicare and run by private companies that provide Part A and Part B coverage, and may offer extra coverage (such as vision, hearing, dental) and may include Part D prescription drug coverage.
• Part D Prescription Drug Coverage – Part D provides coverage to enrollees for brand-name and generic prescription drugs. Patients must elect and enroll in a plan and generally pay a monthly premium and yearly deductible.