Medicare Health Insurance Coverage

President Lyndon Johnson signed the Social Security Act of 1965 into effect on July 30th of that year. Part of the act included a special social insurance program that is meant for people ages 65 and older, although there are some exceptions so others can be eligible as well. This special social insurance program is called Medicare.

Medicare is paid for by payroll taxes that are removed from your income due to the Federal Insurance Contributions Act, or FICA, as well as a matching percentage of the wages as paid by the employer. As mentioned above, typically only those aged 65 and older can use Medicare, but some exceptions to this rule include those who are on continual dialysis for end stage renal disease or in need of a kidney or those who have Lou Gherig's disease (ALS).

Medicare's health insurance coverage includes four different parts: hospital coverage, medical insurance, Medicare Advantage, and prescription drug coverage. When you are looking to withdraw support from your Medicare, you can choose to use only one, a mix, or all of these options. Before you choose, though, you should realize the different aspects of each area of coverage.

First, hospital coverage, often called Part A, covers inpatient hospitals stays of at least one night. This gives you the right to a semiprivate room, as well as food, diagnostics, and the doctor's fees. Additionally, Part A also covers stays in skilled nursing facilities. This means that the nurses have to performed skilled tasks, not just "home care" such as cooking and cleaning for the patients. Additionally, you must meet certain requirements for this to apply, such as have a preceding hospital stay of at least three full days, need treatment for an ailment that was diagnosed in the hospital, and need treatment that requires professional nurse supervision.

Part B of Medicare, or medical insurance, tends to help with more outpatient needs than Part A. This includes diagnostic testing that can be performed in a lab or physician's office, such as x-rays. Additionally, it covers blood transfusions, outpatient treatments, certain severe drugs like chemotherapy, as well as prosthetics that you may require after an illness or surgery.

Medicare Advantage plans, or Part C, gives you the option to receive your Medicare help via a private institution rather than public. While Medicare Advantage plans can have their own prescription drug plan, a separate Plan D that is open to those who are eligible for Plan A and Plan B can also help you with your prescription drugs.

If you need help in determining the Medicare coverage that is best for you, check out the healthinsuranceofcalifornia.com Catherine Michaels Insurance Services today for more information.

Joseph Devine