Understanding Medicare
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What Is Medicare?
Medicare is a health insurance program for
We understand that Medicare can be confusing. Therefore, we have posted videos from our Partners at ATRIO Health Plans who developed a series of 10 short educational videos that clearly describe how to make sense of the Medicare choices that need to be made, and how to make them. The different parts of Medicare help cover specific services: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. Medicare 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. Medicare 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 pay a monthly premium for Part B. Medicare 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. A type of Medicare health plan offered by a private company that contracts with Medicare to provide you with all your Part A and Part B benefits. Part C covers all the benefits you receive with Part A and Part B and may offer additional benefits such as dental care, gym memberships, vision care and prescription drug coverage (Part D). Medicare Part D is Prescription Drug Coverage. Private companies provide the coverage and beneficiaries choose the drug plan and pay a monthly premium. Companies may offer plans with or without prescription drug coverage, therefore if a beneficiary decides not to enroll in a drug plan when they are first eligible they may pay a penalty if they choose to join later.
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