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About Medicare

What should you know about Medicare?
Medicare is the federal health insurance program for people age 65 or older and for some people with disabilities under age 65. (except CA)

Medicare has four parts:

Part A - Hospital Insurance Part B - Medical Insurance

Helps pay for inpatient care in hospitals, some skilled nursing facilities, hospice, and some home health care. Helps pay for doctors' services, outpatient hospital care, and some other medical services that Part A does not cover when they are medically necessary.

Part C - Medicare Advantage Part D - Prescription Drug Benefit

These plans manage the Medicare coverage for their members. They do this by using a set amount of money received by Medicare every month. Plan members are no longer in the traditional Medicare program; Medicare pays the private insurer to take care of their health coverage. Beginning January 1, 2006, Medicare will provide prescription drug coverage through insurance companies and private companies. The Medicare prescription drug benefit gives people on Medicare access to drug coverage.

Each part covers different services, has separate deductibles and coinsurance, and different appeal rights and processes. Certain conditions must be met to receive Medicare coverage.

Medicare premiums

Part A Part B

For most people, Part A is premium-free. This is because they (or a spouse) paid Medicare taxes while they were working.
If you or your spouse did not pay Medicare taxes while you worked, you may be able to get Part A by paying a monthly premium.
There is a monthly premium for Part B. Premiums can change annually. In some cases, this amount may be higher if you did not choose Part B when you first became eligible for Medicare except in special cases.

Enrolling in Medicare Part B
Contact a Social Security office approximately three months before your 65th birthday to determine your options for enrolling in Medicare Part B.

More information available
For more information about Medicare, contact your local Social Security office. The local office can provide you with a free copy of the handbook "Medicare & You." You also can request a free copy by:

1. calling (800) 638-6833
2. writing to U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services

Health Care Financing Administration

Baltimore, MD 21244-1850

3. accessing it online at www.medicare.gov

20519WB R11-05

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