What is Original Medicare, who qualifies, and more importantly, are you eligible for Medicare coverage?
Although the Medicare program has evolved since it first started in 1965, Original Medicare is the single payer, Federal health insurance program for U.S. citizens and legal residents age 65 or older. It now also includes coverage for individuals eligible for Social Security Disability benefits, those who have kidney failure, or ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease). There is one other Federal insurance payer, the Federal Employees Health Benefits program that covers Federal employees.
Although Medicare is now considered to have 4 parts, Original Medicare is most often associated with what is called Part A and Part B. Part A covers hospital inpatient, skilled nursing facility, and home health care benefits. Part B covers doctors' services, medical supplies and equipment, and hospital outpatient care. Part B also covers many other services such as clinical laboratory services, imaging, ambulatory surgery, cancer treatments, preventive services, and much more.
Generally speaking, eligibility is not complicated. If you are a U.S. Citizen or naturalized citizen nearing the age of 65, or disabled or have End Stage Renal Disease, you are probably eligible. Eligibility questions, however, can be addressed to the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213.
If you have elected to start receiving Social Security benefits prior to turning age 65, then your enrollment into Medicare Part A and Part B will be automatic. In your case, about 3 months before your sixty-fifth birthday, you will receive an initial enrollment packet including your Medicare card.
If you are approaching age 65 but not yet receiving Social Security Benefits, the procedure is a little different. In this case, you need to initiate the enrollment process yourself by submitting an application with Social Security. You can do this through your local office, or call the number given above for more information. In either case, whether you are already receiving SSA benefits or not, you have a 7 month initial enrollment period to sign up. This includes the 3 months before the month of your birthday, the month of your birthday, and the three months immediately following the month in which you turn 65.
Medicare enrollment, whether automatic or not, is always handled through the Social Security Administration. Again, if you have started receiving Social Security benefits before your sixty-fifth birthday, your enrollment into Medicare part A and B will be automatic, and your benefits will begin on the first day of the month of your sixty-fifth birthday. If you are not receiving benefits at the time you turn 65, as mentioned above, you are still eligible for Medicare coverage, only you must initiate application yourself during your initial enrollment period.
Although the Medicare program has evolved since it first started in 1965, Original Medicare is the single payer, Federal health insurance program for U.S. citizens and legal residents age 65 or older. It now also includes coverage for individuals eligible for Social Security Disability benefits, those who have kidney failure, or ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease). There is one other Federal insurance payer, the Federal Employees Health Benefits program that covers Federal employees.
Although Medicare is now considered to have 4 parts, Original Medicare is most often associated with what is called Part A and Part B. Part A covers hospital inpatient, skilled nursing facility, and home health care benefits. Part B covers doctors' services, medical supplies and equipment, and hospital outpatient care. Part B also covers many other services such as clinical laboratory services, imaging, ambulatory surgery, cancer treatments, preventive services, and much more.
Generally speaking, eligibility is not complicated. If you are a U.S. Citizen or naturalized citizen nearing the age of 65, or disabled or have End Stage Renal Disease, you are probably eligible. Eligibility questions, however, can be addressed to the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213.
If you have elected to start receiving Social Security benefits prior to turning age 65, then your enrollment into Medicare Part A and Part B will be automatic. In your case, about 3 months before your sixty-fifth birthday, you will receive an initial enrollment packet including your Medicare card.
If you are approaching age 65 but not yet receiving Social Security Benefits, the procedure is a little different. In this case, you need to initiate the enrollment process yourself by submitting an application with Social Security. You can do this through your local office, or call the number given above for more information. In either case, whether you are already receiving SSA benefits or not, you have a 7 month initial enrollment period to sign up. This includes the 3 months before the month of your birthday, the month of your birthday, and the three months immediately following the month in which you turn 65.
Medicare enrollment, whether automatic or not, is always handled through the Social Security Administration. Again, if you have started receiving Social Security benefits before your sixty-fifth birthday, your enrollment into Medicare part A and B will be automatic, and your benefits will begin on the first day of the month of your sixty-fifth birthday. If you are not receiving benefits at the time you turn 65, as mentioned above, you are still eligible for Medicare coverage, only you must initiate application yourself during your initial enrollment period.
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