Senior citizens have access to quality health care.
Health insurance defrays the costs of health care and typically covers the bulk of medical expenses. As we get older and our health needs change, it becomes even more important to have health care insurance. Federal, state and local governments provide senior health care insurance options for those who do not have their own policy and need assistance.
Retirement Health Care Benefits
Many seniors have access to health care insurance through their employers as part of their retirement benefits. Plans may include Preferred Provider Organizations, which provide health coverage and allow you to choose physicians, or Health Management Organizations, where a primary care physician manages your health care.
Out-of-pocket expenses may include a minimal co-pay such as $10 or $20, for an office visit to a doctor within your plan's network, or meeting deductibles and coinsurance to see doctors outside of the network. Seniors may have the option to keep a current plan or choose from another plan and extend coverage to a spouse. Depending on the employer, some retirement health care insurance options are provided to seniors at no charge or for a minimal monthly premium.
Medicare
Medicare is a national health care insurance program for seniors age 65 and older. The general eligibility requirements include U.S. citizenship or permanent residency and Medicare-covered employment for at least 10 years. Medicare consists of two parts: Part A is hospital insurance and Part B is medical insurance.
Most seniors automatically qualify to receive Part A for free upon turning 65 because they paid Medicare taxes while employed; other seniors have the option to purchase this coverage. Senior health care insurance options through Medicare also include Part D for prescription drug coverage or choosing a Medicare Advantage Plan that provides hospital and medical insurance, and prescriptions.
Medicaid
Seniors 65 and older may be eligible for Medicaid benefits. You must have low income and no access to retirement health insurance plans or collect Supplemental Security Income benefits. Medicaid is a federal program, instituted and governed by each individual state, that provides health care insurance to eligible individuals and families, and pays their health care providers for services.
Seniors not collecting SSI benefits will have to prove their low-income eligibility status through income and bank accounts, as well as assets such as vehicles and insurance policies. They must also prove their U.S. citizenship or residency and meet the income eligibility guideline requirements of their home state.
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