Tips on Medicare

The senior care professionals of Chapel Hill, North Carolina, have helped many families through the Medicare process. Although it seems like an incomprehensible mass of information and forms, there are some wonderful resources available to help make sense of the Medicare program.

Medicare.org, or Medicare Information Source, is a website that provides information to individuals who need clarification regarding Medicare requirements, policies, documentation, and more. Here are some of the great pieces of information that this website provides:

• You can secure Medicare coverage in two different ways: original Medicare or the Medicare Advantage Plan.
• If you choose the original Medicare plan, you may also access a prescription drug plan or Medigap Insurance Policy, which is a supplement to Medicare.
• Original Medicare is composed of two Parts, A and B. Medicare Advantage Plan is made up of Part C.
• To qualify for the Medicare Advantage Plan, you must have Parts A and B before you can access Part C.
• Medicare Advantage Plan will cover Part A and Part B expenses. Additionally, in many cases, it will also offer coverage pertaining to vision, hearing, wellness, and dental.
• Medicare Advantage Plan cannot be supplemented with a Medigap policy. Additionally, it is not normally available in conjunction with an independent Medicare prescription drug plan.
• Some seniors qualify for financial assistance regarding their Medicare coverage. One of these assistance programs is Extra Help, which covers prescription drug costs for qualifying individuals.
• Medicare Savings Programs can assist in paying for Medicare costs associated with premiums and some of the expenses pertaining to Part A and Part B coverage. The four Medicare Savings Programs include: Qualified Medicare Beneficiary, Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary, Qualifying Individual, and Qualified Disabled and Working Individuals.

This information should provide some insight into the way in which Medicare is organized; however, there is much more information to dig through in order to determine which Medicare program your senior may qualify for. The best way to unravel the complexities of Medicare is to do your homework regarding the different requirements, coverage, prescription plans, and more. To learn more about Medicare—including the different plans—visit medicare.org or call your local senior care professionals.