Medicare is a government program for health insurance for people who are 65 years of age and over, certain individuals who are under 65 and disabled and people who have end-stage renal disease. The benefits offered to an elderly person with Medicare depend on the type of coverage this person has. Medicare provides benefits for many physician services, tests, medical supplies and more.
Hospital Coverage
People who have Medicare are offered help with coverage for inpatient and outpatient care in critical access hospitals. Medicare also helps cover rehabilitation costs in an inpatient rehabilitation institute and costs for long-term care in acute care hospitals that treat patients who remain in the hospital for over 25 days. Care in a skilled nursing facility is another cost Medicare helps cover. Additional hospital benefits include hospice care and care provided when you are an inpatient in a health care facility that is a religious institution, but not a medical institution. There is no charge for hospital insurance under Medicare if payment for Medicare was taken out of your paychecks, or your spouse's paychecks, while either one of you were working. Under certain conditions, you can pay for hospital insurance if you do not qualify for free coverage. Part A of a Medicare card indicates you have hospital insurance.
Medical Coverage
Medicare helps pay for services provided by physicians, for care provided as an outpatient, for skilled nursing care in the home and additional services that are considered medically necessary. Certain preventive services are also covered. The Medicare Part B cardholder pays for coverage on a monthly basis.
Advantage Coverage
Advantage plans offered by Medicare give coverage for emergency situations and medical needs that require immediate attention, but are not near fatal emergencies. These plans match the coverage Original Medicare provides, but exclude hospice care. Vision care, hearing care and dental care are sometimes offered as well. Health and Wellness programs may be included. The majority of Medicare Advantage Plans cover prescribed medications. Some of these plans may require that you get a referral before going to a specialist and some may only cover you for visits to medical service providers that are part of the plan. Medicare Advantage Plans have premiums that are typically paid every month by the holder of the plan.
Prescribed Medication Coverage
Medicare will pay for all, or part, of the cost of your prescription drugs, according to the Medicare plan you belong to. The two plans offered by Medicare are the Medicare Prescription Drug Plan and the Medicare Advantage Plan. Coverage under a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan requires that you have part A and/or part B, while drug coverage under an Advantage Plan will require you have both parts.
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