Medicare
The Help You Need for The Health You Deserve
Medicare is YOUR health insurance when you either turn 65, or become disabled early. You pay for Medicare all your life, first by a deduction from your payroll taxes, and second when you enroll.
Since Medicare does not pay 100% of your medical bills, it is important to seek additional coverage to eliminate or minimize the financial risks of getting sick! It is an IMPORTANT decision, but first you must explore ALL your options.
At Catherine Burns Insurance, we offer Medicare Supplement and Medicare Advantage, and Medicare Part D plans. We will guide you in making the right choice that not only fits your budget, but fits your life!
Medicare Supplement
This type of plan is offered through private insurance companies and helps pay some of the hospital and medical costs that regular Medicare may not cover including copayments, coinsurance, and yearly deductibles.
Medicare Advantage
If you are enrolled in the Medicare Advantage Plan, then most Medicare services are covered, but aren’t paid for by regular Medicare. Many Medicare Advantage Plans will include additional benefits such as:
- Prescription Drug Coverage (Part D)
- Dental
- Vision
- Hearing
- Fitness Memberships
- Over-The-Counter allowances
Medicare Part D
Medicare Part D, commonly known as the prescription drug benefit, assists beneficiaries in the payment of the prescription drugs they need to live happily and healthy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Medicare?
Medicare is health insurance for people administered by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).
Who is eligible for Medicare?
You become eligible for Medicare at age 65. Early enrollment into Medicare happens for those that have been on Social Security Disability for 24 months, or with certain disabilities with no waiting period.
Is Medicare enrollment automatic?
Although eligibility for Medicare, for most people, begins at age 65, enrollment into the Medicare program is only automatic if you are enrolled and receiving Social Security Retirement benefits or Railroad Retirement Board benefits. If so, you will automatically be enrolled into Medicare and receive your Medicare Card approximately 3 months prior to your effective date (1st of the month you turn 65 or one month prior if your birthday is the 1st of the month.)
What if I’m not automatically enrolled in Medicare?
When enrollment into Medicare isn’t automatic, you need to enroll through the Social Security Administration or, if retired from the Railroad, the Railroad Retirement Board. The Initial Enrollment Period (IEP) last 7 months, which begins three months prior to the month you turn 65 and ends three months after the month you turn 65.
Do you need to sign up for Medicare?
Not always. If you are actively employed and covered by a group health plan (or spouse’s) with twenty or more employees, you may be able to delay enrollment into Medicare and not pay any penalties.
What are the four parts of Medicare?
· Part A (Hospital Insurance) helps pay for inpatient hospital stays, skilled nursing facility care, home health care, and hospice care.
· Part B (Medical Insurance) helps cover medically necessary services like doctor visits and outpatient care.
· Part C (Medicare Advantage [MA]) is another way to get your Medicare benefits. It combines Part A and Part B, and sometimes Part D (prescription drug coverage).
· Part D (Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage) helps pay for outpatient prescription drugs. Part D may help lower your prescription drug costs and protect you against higher costs in the future.
Still have questions?
A knowledgeable insurance agent can help you decide if you need to enroll into Medicare, weigh the options of staying on an employer plan vs enrolling into Medicare, and help you choose the most appropriate Medicare Insurance Plan/Plans for your needs.
Contact us to talk with one of our experts!
(570) 327-1598
