What are the benefits of Medicare?
Medicare provides coverage for hospitalization, physician services, and prescription drugs. There are four parts to Medicare: Part A (hospital insurance), Part B (medical insurance), Part C (Medicare Advantage plans), and Part D (prescription drug coverage).
You may be able to get help paying for your Medicare costs from Medicaid or other programs.
What is Medicare Part A?
Medicare Part A is hospital insurance. It covers inpatient care, skilled nursing facility care, hospice care, and home health care.
What is Medicare Part B?
Medicare Part B is medical insurance. It covers outpatient care, preventive services, durable medical equipment, and some home health care.
What is Medicare Part C?
Medicare Part C is private health insurance. It covers all of the benefits of Parts A and B, plus some additional benefits such as dental, vision, and prescription drug coverage.
What is Medicare Part D?
Medicare Part D is prescription drug coverage. It helps cover the cost of prescription drugs.
Who is eligible for Medicare
You may be eligible for Medicare if you are 65 or older, younger than 65, and have a disability or end-stage renal disease. In addition, you may qualify if you are under the age of 65and have been granted disability benefits for 24 months.
How to enroll in Medicare
If you are eligible for Medicare, you can sign up online at www.medicare.gov, by calling 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227), or by visiting your local Social Security office.
You must provide your Social Security number, date of birth, and address. You will also need your bank account information ready to sign up for the direct deposit.
Once enrolled, you will receive your Medicare card in the mail. You must use your Medicare card whenever you get health care services or supplies covered by Medicare.
How to use your Medicare card
Your Medicare card is proof that you have Medicare health insurance. It shows your name, Medicare number, and the type of Medicare coverage you have.
You will need to show your Medicare card to your doctor or other health care provider when you get services or supplies covered by Medicare.
You should keep your Medicare card in a safe place and carry it with you when you travel.
If you lose your card, you can get a replacement by calling 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) or visiting your local Social Security office.
What to do if you have a problem with your Medicare coverage
If you have a problem with your Medicare coverage, you can file a complaint with the Medicare or the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).
You can also contact your state or local consumer protection office or the Better Business Bureau to file a complaint.
For more information about Medicare, visit www.medicare.gov or call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). TTY users can call 1-877-486-2048.
How to find out more about Medicare
The best way to get more information about Medicare is to contact the program directly. You can do this by visiting www.medicare.gov or calling 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). TTY users can call 1-877-486-2048.
You can also find information about Medicare in your local phone book under "United States Government" or "Health and Human Services."
