Medicare is universally available to senior citizens in the United States. Parts A & B cover in-facility care, such as hospital stays and some temporary nursing care facilities, as well as out-patient visits You can also sign up for Medicare part D, to cover the cost of medications.
Smart Sign-Up Process
Medicare rules and regulations can change on a yearly basis, so it's a good idea to do some research as these rule changes can be costly. For example, if you don't need prescription drug coverage at the age of 65 but choose not to sign up for Medicare Part D, there may be a penalty to gain access to drug coverage. You can avoid all this by signing up for a Medicare Advantage Plan, which includes A, B and D.
Prepare to Add Other Coverage
A Medicare Advantage program will cover in-patient stays, out-patient visits to the Doctor's office, and drug coverage. Generally, the Advantage Program doesn't cover dental and vision, so a supplemental insurance package may be a good investment. Before buying supplemental insurance, be aware that the alphabet soup of Medicare can be confusing.
- A covers hospitalization
- B covers visits ot the doctor's office
- D covers drugs
- C is an Advantage Plan, or a combination of A, B and D
- Medigap insurance can't be used by those who are using Medicare Part C coverage
If you review the numbers and Medigap is a better deal for your health care needs than adding part D or buying into a part C, contact the administrators of the Part C to see if you can disenroll. However, it's important that you do not leave Medicare Part D without careful consideration. Getting it back can be costly.
Consider Your Lifestyle
Do you enjoy travel? Make sure that you study the list of MedicareAdvantage2021.org plans for one with a wide provider network so you can get care out of town. If you like going to the gym, Aetna Medicare Solutions may be the best choice for you. It can save on your monthly membership. For those who need to stay a bit closer to home, the AARP Medicare plan perks may work best for you. Each of these plans offers perks that may make your life easier, save on monthly subscriptions, and boost your quality of life.
The Power of Bundling
Depending on which Medicare Advantage plan you choose, you can enjoy vision and hearing coverage. New glasses or the right hearing aids can be an easy fix with the right plan. Gather your personal needs and concerns before contacting your insurance representative so you can search for the plan that serves you best and will provide you the most benefit for the least expense. Keep this list so you can review it every year before open enrollment, October 15 to December 7.
Monitoring your own health is just as important as staying on top of your Medicare options. Changing plans may mean that you can get coverage better suited to your needs for less money. By doing your homework, you can get on with life in confidence that you'll have coverage when you need it.