MEDICARE
Here’s information to help you understand Medicare coverage options, so you can
make informed choices based upon your health, your budget or both. When you’re ready,
our trained counselors can work with you one-on-one to help you make The Right Call.
What does Medicare cover?
Medicare has two parts.
Hospital Insurance (Part A)
Medicare Part A helps pay for four kinds of medically necessary care:
- inpatient hospital care
- inpatient care in a skilled nursing facility following a hospital stay
- home health care
- hospice care
Part A has deductibles and coinsurance, but most people do not have to pay premiums
for Part A. If you have a specific question regarding Medicare Part A coverage or
claims, call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227).
The Medicare and You Handbook also has Part A benefit information.
Medical Insurance (Part B)
Medicare Part B helps pay for:
- doctor’s services
- outpatient hospital care
- durable medical equipment
- diagnostic tests
- many other health services and supplies that are not covered by Medicare Part A.
Part B has premiums, deductibles, and coinsurance amounts that you must pay yourself
or through coverage by another insurance plan. If you have a specific question regarding
Medicare Part B coverage or claims, call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227).
The Medicare
and You Handbook also has Part B benefit information.
Who can receive Medicare benefits?
Medicare is a health insurance program for:
- People 65 years of age and older.
- The disabled—those under age 65 who have received Social Security or Railroad Retiree
disability benefits for 24 consecutive months. Call SHIIP at 800-351-4664 for the
Medicare and Other Insurance for People with Disabilities factsheet.
- Those with a diagnosis of ALS or Lou Gehrig’s Disease.
- People with end-stage renal disease (permanent kidney failure treated with dialysis
or a transplant).
To be eligible for Medicare, a person must be a US citizen and resident of the U.S.
or an alien living in the U.S. for five years who has been lawfully admitted for
permanent residence.
I am turning 65 but will continue to work. Should I sign up for Medicare Part B?
You may be able to delay enrollment in Medicare Part B without penalty if you or
your spouse continue to be
actively employed and are covered by the employer’s
group health plan. In this situation you can enroll in Medicare Part B during a
special eight-month enrollment period when you retire (whether you keep employer-sponsored
retiree insurance coverage or not). The
Social Security Administration determines when you are eligible
to enroll in Medicare. Call their toll-free number, 800-772-1213, with your specific
questions. Ask Social Security to send information about your situation in writing.
Keep this information on file.
If you’re 65 or older, you or your spouse are employed and the employer has 20 or
more employees, you must be offered the same health insurance benefits under the
same conditions offered to younger workers and spouses. [Note: If you’re eligible
for Medicare because of a disability, there must be at least 100 employees.] The
employer cannot provide a Medicare supplement insurance policy instead of regular
group coverage.
Employers with fewer than 20 employees (100 if disabled) are not required to offer
health insurance coverage to employees over age 65. However, the employer may choose
to do so.
Call SHIIP at 1-800-351-4664 or e-mail us at
shiip@iid.state.ia.us , for answers to other questions regarding
Medicare and health insurance when you are employed past age 65
I am 62 years old. Can I sign up for Medicare since I am now receiving my Social
Security benefits?
No, you will be eligible for Medicare when you are 65. Since you are currently receiving
Social Security benefits the Social Security office will automatically enroll you
in Medicare and send you a Medicare card shortly before you turn 65.
I lost my Medicare Card. How do I get a new one?
Contact the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213 to ask for a new card.
Medicare cards can also be replaced online. Go to
www.ssa.gov/medicarecard.us.
I recently moved. How do I change my address with Social Security and Medicare?
Call the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213 to make your address change.
If you are a Railroad Retiree, call 1-800-808-0772. You can also go to
www.ssa.gov .
Some people on Medicare have limited finances. Are there any programs to help them
with health care costs?
Title XIX or
Medicaid is a public assistance program that pays for
certain health care costs for qualified people. It is funded by both federal and
state governments. In Iowa it is administered by the Department of Human Services
(DHS). Eligibility is based on income and resource limits. Call SHIIP (800-351-4664)
for the telephone number of the DHS office in your county or
click here .
The following
Medicare Savings Programs are especially important to Medicare beneficiaries.
Eligibility is based on income and resource limits.
Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB) —Pays the Medicare
Part B premium and Parts A & B deductibles and co-payments.
Specified Low-income Medicare Beneficiary(SLMB)—Pays the Medicare Part B premium
only.
For more information about Medicare Savings Programs call your county Department
of Human Services office.