What is Medicare?

Medicare is a national health insurance program for people who are 65 or older, as well as for some younger people with disabilities. The program is administered by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and provides a wide range of health coverage benefits, including:

1. Hospital insurance (Part A): This covers inpatient care in hospitals, hospice care, and some home health care.
2. Medical insurance (Part B): This covers doctor services, preventive care, and some other medical services that are not covered by Part A.
3. Prescription drug coverage (Part D): This helps cover the cost of prescription drugs.
4. Medicare Advantage (Part C): This is an alternative way to get your Medicare benefits. Instead of Original Medicare, you can choose to get your benefits through a Medicare Advantage plan. These plans are offered by private insurance companies that contract with Medicare.
5. Medical Supplement (Medigap): These are additional policies that can be purchased to supplement Original Medicare. They help pay for some of the out-of-pocket costs associated with Original Medicare.
6. Preventive Services: Medicare covers a wide range of preventive services to help keep beneficiaries healthy. These include screenings for cancer, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes, as well as vaccinations and other preventive services.
7. Mental Health Services: Medicare covers mental health services such as counseling and therapy.
8. Rehabilitation Services: Medicare covers many types of rehabilitation services, including physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech-language therapy, to help beneficiaries recover from an illness or injury.
9. Hospice Care: Medicare covers hospice care for people who are terminally ill, and their families.
10. Home Health Care: Medicare covers home health care for people who are homebound and need skilled nursing or therapy services.

It is important to note that Medicare coverage is not free and beneficiaries are typically required to pay premiums, deductibles and co-payments. Additionally, there are some services that Medicare does not cover, such as long-term care, cosmetic surgery, and most dental care.

You may also want to check out our FAQ - Questions and Answers page for more information. Thank you for visiting our Medicare Blog, please make sure to share this with your friends and family as you never know who might need our help. Thanks!

AMARILLO MEDICARE CLINIC