How to Qualify for Medicare

As we get older, it becomes more difficult to manage our health care coverage and pay for medical bills. Medicare is a government-sponsored healthcare plan that provides many people with the opportunity to have access to quality medical care at an affordable price. MedicareFAQ is full of useful tips and advice on Medicare.

Maximizing healthcare coverage with Medicare can be tricky, but it’s worth taking the time to learn more about so you’re not surprised when you need medical care or find out your insurance doesn’t cover certain treatments.

First, you will need to understand the basics of Medicare coverage. Medicare is a government-sponsored healthcare plan that allows many people over 65 years old access to quality medical care at an affordable price. Medicare doesn’t cover everything, so it’s important for recipients to have supplemental insurance as well in order not to incur large out-of-pocket costs. It only covers those who are living and working within the United States or Social Security eligible persons residing outside of the country.*

There are two parts–Part A which provides hospitalization benefits such as skilled nursing facility care and Part B which offers coverage for doctors, lab tests, outpatient surgery expenses among other things.

Those who have Medicare Part A but not Part B are eligible for a low-cost health insurance plan called “Medigap.”. There is also the option to purchase what’s known as “Fee For Service” coverage, which pays doctors directly rather than through monthly premiums.

If you’re retired and want to receive benefits from Social Security or your company pension plans, then contact them about their options. Otherwise, there are private insurers that offer medical services similar to those offered by Medicare.