What Is Medicare?

Medicare is a health insurance program for senior citizens that is paid for by the Federal Government. It’s primarily available to people over the age of 65, though some people with specific disabilities qualify for it as well.

While many seniors rely on Medicare, it doesn’t cover everything. A Medicare Supplement plan will help pay for the care that regular Medicare won’t pay for.

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* First Name: * Last Name: * Address: * City: * State: Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Dist. of Columbia Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming * Zip: * Phone:      * Email:   Gender* Date of birth*   Height*  Weight* Smoker* Applicant M F / / Ft 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 In 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Spouse -- M F / / Ft 4 5 6 7 In 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Children 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 Children  -- M F / / Ft 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 In 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Children  -- M F / / Ft 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 In 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Children  -- M F / / Ft 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 In 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Children  -- M F / / Ft 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 In 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Children  -- M F / / Ft 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 In 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Children  -- M F / / Ft 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 In 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Currently Insured? Yes   No Have conditions? Yes   No HIV/AIDS Diabetes Cancer Heart attack High blood pressure Asthma Stroke Depression requiring medication Other major illness

Who Is Eligible For Medicare?

To qualify for Medicare coverage, you’ll need to answer “yes” to at least one of the following:

• Are you suffering from end-stage kidney (renal) disease?
• Are you 65?
• Are you eligible for Social Security Benefits?
• Are you eligible for railroad retirement benefits?
• Have you been receiving Social Security disability for at least 24 months?

What Does Medicare Cover?

There are 4 parts to Medicare: Part A, Part B, Part C (Medicare + Choice, a kind of Medicare Supplement), and Part D (prescription drug coverage). Parts C and D are available from private insurance companies. Parts A and B are offered by the Federal Government.

Medicare Part A covers:

• Hospice and in-home care services
• Skilled nursing facility services
• In-patient hospital services and medical care

Medicare Part B covers:

• Physician services
• Durable medical equipment purchases
• Clinical or diagnostic lab-related services
• Standard laboratory test needs
• X-rays
• Out-patient hospital care
• Ambulance and other medical transportation services
• Physical therapy

What Isn’t Covered By Medicare?

Besides knowing Medicare covers, it’s also important to know what it doesn’t cover. This includes:

• Dental services
• Vision care (eyeglasses or contact lenses)
• Most prescriptions
• Hearing aids
• Long term custodial care in nursing homes

Many people get private health insurance plans to fill in the gaps in Medicare coverage. To find out about your options for coverage, talk with our network of agents. Fill out an easy online form, and you’ll be contacted with free health insurance quotes.