5 things to know about medicare plans
Medicare is a federal health insurance program in the United States that provides coverage for individuals aged 65 and older, as well as certain younger individuals with disabilities or specific medical conditions. Bay Marketing Concepts provides medicare plans in Port Charlotte, Brandon, FL, Tampa, FL, Naples, FL, Sarasota, FL, Cape Coral and surrounding areas.
Below are five key things to know about Medicare plans:
- Medicare Parts A and B:
Part A (Hospital Insurance): Covers inpatient hospital stays, skilled nursing facility care, hospice care, and some home health care.
Part B (Medical Insurance): Covers outpatient care, doctor visits, preventive services, and some home health care.
- Medicare Advantage (Part C):
These are private health plans approved by Medicare that combine the coverage of Parts A and B. Many Medicare Advantage plans also include prescription drug coverage (Part D) and additional benefits like vision and dental coverage. They are an alternative to Original Medicare (Parts A and B).
- Medicare Prescription Drug Plans (Part D):
Part D plans provide prescription drug coverage and are offered by private insurance companies approved by Medicare. It helps beneficiaries cover the costs of prescription medications.
- Medigap (Supplemental Insurance):
Medigap plans are private insurance policies that can help fill the gaps in coverage left by Original Medicare. These gaps may include deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance. Medigap plans are standardized and labeled with letters (Plan A, Plan B, etc.), and they are sold by private insurance companies.
- Enrollment Periods:
Initial Enrollment Period (IEP): Begins three months before you turn 65, includes your birthday month, and extends three months after.
- General Enrollment Period (GEP): If you miss your IEP, you can enroll in Medicare during the GEP, which runs from January 1 to March 31 each year, but you may face penalties.
- Open Enrollment Period (OEP): Occurs annually from October 15 to December 7, during which individuals can make changes to their Medicare coverage, such as switching between Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage, or changing Part D plans.
Understanding these aspects of Medicare can help individuals make informed decisions about their healthcare coverage. It’s also important to stay informed about any changes in Medicare policies and regulations. Kindly call us without hesitation.