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Medicare is a federal health insurance program that pays some of the health care expenses for people who are 65 or older. It will also pay for health care for people who are eligible because of a disability or qualifying health condition.
You can buy Medicare supplement insurance to help pay some of your health care costs that Medicare won't pay. Because it helps cover some of the "gaps" in Medicare coverage, Medicare supplement insurance is often called Medigap insurance. There is also another option under Part C of Medicare called Medicare Advantage plans.
You are required to pay the premiums for both types of insurance and there may also be deductibles, co-payments and co-insurance. These payments can range anywhere from $0 to $7,000 per year depending on the plan. However, if your income and assets are below a certain level, you might be eligible for Medicaid. Medicaid is a state-administrated federal program that pays for health coverage for people with low incomes. If you qualify for Medicaid, the state will pay your Medicare premiums and out-of-pocket costs. Medicaid will also pay for some services not covered by Medicare. In many cases, if you receive Medicaid, you do not need Medicare supplement insurance.
To learn more about the costs of individual plans available in your area, I suggest you meet with a licensed health insurance agent if you have someone that you know and trust. Not all agents can enroll you in all plans so you may have to sit down with a couple different agents to learn about all the plans out there.
Another alternative is to contact your local State Area Agency on Aging. They have counselors available who can help you and it does not cost anything to meet with them. You can find your nearest agency at the related link below.
Wiki User
∙ 11y ago
Wiki User
∙ 11y agoThose who have not served at least 40 quarters of employment (10 years) of paying Medicare and FICA taxes while working will pay a monthly premium of $451 in 2012.
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What are some Medicare supplement insurance companies?
Medicare supplement insurance pays for the cost of hospital and medical care that's not covered by Original Medicare. Insurance companies that provide this cover include Combined Insurance Company of America, Family Life Insurance Company, Globe Life and Accident, Liberty National and Transamerica.
What is the best supplement insurance for seniors?
The "best" supplement is the one that you can afford. Here's how the supplements work: Medigap, also called a Medicare Supplement, basically pays the portion of medical expenses that Medicare expects you to pay. Medicare is an "80/20" plan, meaning Medicare pays 80% of the bill and you pay 20% of the bill. Medigap can pay the 20% for you. Depending on which Medigap plan you choose, the plan can also pay the (2009) $1068.00 hositalization deductible for you and the $135.00 doctor's office deductible for you.Now, generally plans A-F are offered by insurance companies. The cost of the plans will vary from company to company BUT the overall coverage of the plan is the same as regulated by Medicare.
What is the health insurance policy administered by the government for most elderly people?
Medicare is the health insurance policy administered by the U.S. government for most elderly people. It provides coverage for hospital stays, doctor visits, prescription drugs, and other medical services for individuals over 65 and certain younger people with disabilities.
What is the typical cost of health insurance in Australia?
The health insurance in Australia is universal. The government pays a large percentage, the patients pays for the remainer out of pocket based on the Medicare Benefits Schedule.
What is the best Medicare part B supplement policy?
The "best" supplement is the one that you can afford. Here's how the supplements work: Medigap, also called a Medicare Supplement, basically pays the portion of medical expenses that Medicare expects you to pay. Medicare is an "80/20" plan, meaning Medicare pays 80% of the bill and you pay 20% of the bill. Medigap can pay the 20% for you. Depending on which Medigap plan you choose, the plan can also pay the (2009) $1068.00 hositalization (Part A) deductible for you and the $135.00 doctor's office (Part B) deductible for you.Now, generally plans A-F are offered by insurance companies. The cost of the plans will vary from company to company BUT the overall coverage of the plan is the same as regulated by Medicare.
How does Medicare help?
it pays for medical insurance like medicine and wheelchairs.
If FICA and Medicare are written as two separate deductibles does this mean that you are paying double for Medicare?
FICA pays for your Social Security and the Medicare tax pays for Medicare Part A, which is your Medicare hospitization insurance. When you begin drawing your Social Security check, then your Medicare Part B medical/doctors visit insurance is automatically deducted from your check.
What is a medicare supplement and a medicare replacement?
Medicare supplement pays part or all of your deductibles and copays that you have with Medicare parts A and B. A "Medicare replacement" is actually Medicare advantage. They are a Medicare option that combines your Part A, B and sometimes part D into one plan that is administered by a Medicare contracted insurance company. Many of these plans have very low or even 0 monthly premiums. You still have copays but they are generally much less than Original Medicare. (If this question relates to United States Medicare, there is no such thing as the concept of "Medicare replacement." I do not see anywhere to add an alternative answer so I put this here just as a warning. In the United States you are either on Medicare or you are not. If you are on Medicare in the United States, you will almost certainly feel the need to supplement it. Over 95% of the people on United States Medicare supplement it in some way. There is a wide choice of ways to supplement United States Medicare. The answer above describes only two of them.
Medicare and group health insurance?
When you have other insurance, there are rules that decide whether Medicare or your other insurance pays first. The insurance that pays first is called the "primary payer" and pays up to the limits of its coverage. The one that pays second, called the "secondary payer," only pays if it covers any of the costs left uncovered by the primary coverage. For more information, see the Medicare and You 2009 book: http://www.medicare.gov/Publications/Pubs/pdf/10050.pdf (page 74) that page 74 only discussing if you are working. i am not working.
Can secondary insurance pay claims that are denied by Medicare?
That would be covered under the terms of your policy. In general that is what supplemental, (secondary) insurance is primarily for. Most "supplemental" plans pay the 20% that Medicare didn't pay only AFTER seeing an "explanation of benefits" statement--i.e. proof that Medicare paid their part. If Medicare denies a service all together, the supplemental plan is often under no obligation to pay at all, as they are there to "supplement" Medicare, not take the place of it in cases of denial. This is especailly true if Medicare denies because the service was deemed "not medically necessary". So, in short, no. Medicare supplements often do not cover services if they are denied by the primary (Medicare).
Do you have to pay the medicare deductible if they are paying secondary to a primary insurance carrier?
This is directly from the Medicare and You 2009 Book: When you have other insurance, there are rules that decide whether Medicare or your other insurance pays first. The insurance that pays first is called the "primary payer" and pays up to the limits of its coverage. The one that pays second, called the "secondary payer," only pays if it covers any of the costs left uncovered by the primary coverage. If you have other insurance, tell your doctor, hospital, and pharmacy so your bills get paid correctly. If you have questions about who pays first, or you need to update your other insurance information, call Medicare's Coordination of Benefits Contractor at 1-800-999-1118. TTY users should call 1-800-318-8782. You can view the details here: http://www.medicare.gov/Publications/Pubs/pdf/10050.pdf
can i get gastic band surgery with medical or medicare insurance I also have scan?
Medicare pays for gastric bypass surgery only if it is deemed medically necessary.
