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Sunday, 8 July 2018

Commonly Asked Medicare Questions Answered

By Ronald Rogers


If you are closing in on retirement age, and getting ready to leave your job for a life of leisure, one of the things you need to know is how healthcare works for seniors. Once you retire, you won't have the health insurance provided by your employer anymore. You will probably depend on the government programs in place to cover doctor bills and hospital stays. Seniors want Medicare questions answered that on their minds. Some of the most frequent are outlined below.

Everyone wants to know if they qualify for the healthcare plans. After you reach sixty-five and have worked for ten years or more for employers whose companies were covered, you can receive the benefits. You must be a U. S. Citizen. If you were approved for Social Security at sixty-two, you will be enrolled in the program once you reach sixty-five. The benefits are available to those receiving disability after two years. The age restriction does not apply if you are receiving disability benefits.

People ask what they have to do to prepare to receive benefits. When you are sixty-five, and have worked at least ten years, the process is pretty much automated. You will receive a card for Part A and B about three months before your birthday. Part A is free. Part B is not. If you don't want Part B, you will have to contact the agency and let them know. Coverage starts the month you turn sixty-five.

Some people are confused about the difference between Medicaid and Medicare. Medicare is a program for retired Americans who worked and had FICA taxes taken out of their payroll checks. Medicaid is based on income. It is for low income individuals who have no ability to pay for healthcare. It is funded by the federal government and the individual states. Your eligibility depends on standards mandated by the state in which you live.

Most people know the program won't cover all health issues. The majority aren't sure what is and is not covered. The program won't pay for dental or vision care, custodial care, or hearing aids. It doesn't pay for acupuncture, cosmetic surgery, or routine orthopedic care. It won't pay for dentures.

Alzheimer's care is covered as a medical necessity under the program. If will pay for a portion of psychological and physical care. Most aspects of hospice care are covered under the program. The benefits cover wellness checks, bone density tests, alcohol counseling, flu shots, cardiovascular disease screening, mammograms, and prostate cancer screenings.

Seniors can be anxious about which doctors accept patients who rely on this program. Almost all doctors see patients who have the fee-for-service benefits. There are some doctors who choose to opt out of treating patients who rely on Part B. To opt out they have to file paperwork with the government. These doctors tend to be specialists who will only treat patients on a private pay basis.

Healthcare is a big concern for seniors. It's important to know what the government will, and will not, provide in the way of benefits. The best way to get answers to your questions, is to call the government's toll free numbers.




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