What You Need To Know About Choosing The Right Medicare Coverage

If you are getting ready to celebrate your 65th birthday, you already have a gift waiting for you – Medicare! You may also already be getting offers for supplemental insurance, known as Medigap coverage. Before you make any decisions on your Medicare and Medigap coverage, make sure that you know the facts.

Medicare was signed into lay in 1965 by President Lyndon Johnson to help senior citizens pay for their basic health care needs. The coverage was then expanded to include younger people with disabilities. Prescription drug coverage was then added to the program in 2003 by President George Bush. All citizens who are 65 or older qualify for Medicare. However, you cannot have both Medicare coverage and health insurance through an employer or union.

The original Medicare plans consisted of both Part A and Part B. Part A will generally cover skilled nursing facility care, hospitalization, home health services, hospice, and certain types of nursing home care. Part B will cover doctor visits, services and supplies needed to treat or diagnose a medical condition, and services that are needed to detect an illness at an early age or prevent it.

Part C is offered through private insurers via a PPO or HMO network and is an alternative to the Original Medicare program. It will cover hospital and doctor services. Some of the plans will also provide coverage for prescription drugs. You cannot have both Original Medicare and Plan C coverage at the same time.

Part D plans are private health care plans that are approved by Medicare to help those with Original Medicare pay for their prescription drugs. 

For all of your health insurance needs and to ensure that you have the coverage you deserve throughout your life, contact Sackett & Associates Insurance Services in Sonoma County, California.