Medicare (Click to go to the Medicare Web site)
What is Medicare?
Federal health insurance program administered by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) for those who are:
- Age 65 and older
- Any age and Disabled
- Diagnosed with End Stage Renal Disease
Initial Enrollment Period: Seven month period beginning three months prior to the month you turn 65 to three months after the month you turn age 65.
Original Medicare
Part A
*Inpatient Hospitalization
*Skilled Nursing Facilities
*Home Health Care
*Hospice
Part B
*Doctor Services
*Preventative Benefits
*Durable Medical Equipment
Part C (Medicare Advantage plans)
*Includes Part A, Part B, and usually other coverage including prescription
drugs
Part D
*Helps cover the cost of prescription medication
2011 Costs
Part A:
*Hospital deductible...$1156 per benefit period (days 1-60)
*Hospital daily copayment...$289 (days 61-90)
*Lifetime Reserve copayment...$578 (days 91-150)
*Skilled Nursing daily copayment...$144.50 (days 21-100)
Part B:
*Monthly Premium...$99.90*
Annual Deductible...$140
*Copayment...generally 20% of Medicare approved amounts
Part C:
*Costs vary by plan
Part D:
*Costs vary by plan
* Maximum deductable $320.00
Annual Open Enrollment Period: October 15 - December 7
*Enroll in, disenroll from or switch Medicare Part D or Medicare Advantage plans
*Change is effective January 1
Medicare Advantage Disenrollment Period: January 1 - February 14
*Disenroll from a Medicare Advantage plan and return to Original Medicare with or without Part D
*Change effective first day of the following month