| SSI Disability | |||
| Supplemental Security Income | |||
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Medicare is our country’s health insurance program for people age 65 or older. Certain people younger than age 65 can qualify for Medicare, too, including those who have disabilities and those who have permanent kidney failure or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (Lou Gehrig’s disease). The program helps with the cost of health care, but it does not cover all medical expenses or the cost of most long-term care. Medicare is financed by a portion of the payroll taxes paid by workers and their employers. It also is financed in part by monthly premiums deducted from Social Security checks. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is the agency in charge of the Medicare program. But you apply for Medicare at Social Security, and the SSA can give you general information about the Medicare program. |
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| * Hospital
insurance (Part A) that helps pay for inpatient care in a hospital or
skilled nursing facility (following a hospital stay), some home health
care and hospice care. * Medical insurance (Part B) that helps pay for doctors’ services and many other medical services and supplies that are not covered by hospital insurance. * Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans are available in many areas. People with Medicare Parts A and B can choose to receive all of their health care services through one of these provider organizations under Part C. * Prescription drug coverage (Part D) that helps pay for medications doctors prescribe for treatment. |
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Medicare Part C |
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If you have Medicare Parts A and B, you can join a Medicare Advantage plan. With one of these plans, you do not need a Medigap policy, because Medicare Advantage plans generally cover many of the same benefits that a Medigap policy would cover, such as extra days in the hospital after you have used the number of days that Medicare covers. Medicare Advantage plans include: * Medicare managed care plans; * Medicare preferred provider organization (PPO) plans; * Medicare private fee-for-service plans; and * Medicare specialty plans. If you decide to join a Medicare Advantage plan, you use the health card that you get from your Medicare Advantage plan provider for your health care. Also, you might have to pay a monthly premium for your Medicare Advantage plan because of the extra benefits it offers. People who become newly entitled to Medicare should enroll during their initial enrollment period (as explained under Signing up for Medicare) or during the annual coordinated election period from November 15 – December 31 each year. There also will be special enrollment periods for some situations. Medicare prescription drug plans (Part D) Anyone who has Medicare hospital insurance (Part A), medical insurance (Part B) or a Medicare Advantage plan (Part C) is eligible for prescription drug coverage (Part D). Joining a Medicare prescription drug plan is voluntary, and you pay an additional monthly premium for the coverage. You can wait to enroll in a Medicare Part D plan if you have other prescription drug coverage but, if you don’t have prescription coverage that is, on average, at least as good as Medicare prescription drug coverage, you will pay a penalty if you wait to join later. You will have to pay this penalty for as long as you have Medicare prescription drug coverage. People who become newly entitled to Medicare should enroll during their initial enrollment period (as explained under Signing up for Medicare). After the initial enrollment periods, the annual coordinated election period to enroll or make provider changes will be November 15 – December 31 each year. There also will be special enrollment periods for some situations. |
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Medicare Part D |
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| Anyone who has Medicare hospital
insurance (Part A), medical insurance (Part B) or a Medicare Advantage
plan (Part C) is eligible for prescription drug coverage (Part D).
Joining a Medicare prescription drug plan is voluntary, and you pay an
additional monthly premium for the coverage. You can wait to enroll in a
Medicare Part D plan if you have other prescription drug coverage but,
if you don’t have prescription coverage that is, on average, at least as
good as Medicare prescription drug coverage, you will pay a penalty if
you wait to join later. You will have to pay this penalty for as long as
you have Medicare prescription drug coverage. People who become newly entitled to Medicare should enroll during their initial enrollment period. After the initial enrollment periods, the annual coordinated election period to enroll or make provider changes will be November 15 – December 31 each year. There also will be special enrollment periods for some situations. |
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Resources The information in this website was obtained by the SSA. This site is not indorsed or affiliated with the SSA. The SSA may change their policy's at any time, this website may or may not reflect the changes. |
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