Medicare was created as part of the Social Security Act of 1965. The program was meant mainly to help senior citizens afford health services, but individuals under the age of 65 may qualify if they meet certain conditions. One way people younger than 65 can enroll is if they are receiving or are eligible for Social Security disability benefits. If so, they can sign up for and begin using Medicare the same as any other qualifying beneficiary.
Part A
Part A is one of the two parts that make up Original Medicare. Original Medicare is offered by the federal government rather than private insurance companies, and the benefits are standardized. Part A coverage includes inpatient hospital and mental health services, hospice care and home health care. If you have been receiving or have been eligible for Social Security disability benefits for at least 24 months, you are eligible for premium-free Part A. You will still be responsible for all Part A co-payments, co-insurance charges and deductibles.
Part B
Part B is the second portion that makes up Original Medicare. Part B covers outpatient hospital and mental health services, doctor visits and preventive services such as vaccinations and health screenings. Part B always requires a monthly premium payment, as well as co-pays, deductibles and co-insurance. Many of the health screenings are free, but you may have to pay the doctor or hospital a co-pay for performing the service. You do not have to enroll in Part B, but if you do not when you are first eligible and then change your mind, you will be charged late enrollment penalties.
Part C
Part C Medicare is usually referred to as Medicare Advantage. MA is not sold by the government, but is instead offered from approved private insurance companies. Medicare Advantage must include all the benefits of Original Medicare, except for hospice, which is always covered by original Part A. MA policies often add extra benefits like hearing, vision or dental, but these change depending on where you live, your insurance company and what kind of policy you buy. MA plans are often sold as HMO plans, PPO plans, special needs plans tailored to certain health conditions and as high-deductible policies that work in tandem with medical savings accounts.
Part D
Part D Medicare offers benefits only for prescription medications. Part D is also sold by private companies. These companies set their own policies regarding which medications they cover and the costs of co-pays and premiums. If you want to be sure you buy a Part D plan that has benefits for your specific medications, the Medicare.Gov website features a plan finder that you can customize to search only for policies in your area that will cover these prescriptions.
Medicare Supplements
Many senior citizens who use Medicare also enroll in Medicare supplement plans. These help pay for the costs of Original Medicare's co-pays, deductibles and co-insurance costs. However, there are not many Medicare supplements open to people under the age of 65. Although some states require that Medigap companies sell at least one policy to those younger than 65 who use Medicare, many do not, since it is not mandated by federal law.
Tags: Original Medicare, Part Part, health services, Social Security, co-pays deductibles, co-pays deductibles co-insurance, deductibles co-insurance