Medicare
Medicare is the
federal health
insurance program
for people who are
65 or older and for
people with
disabilities who
qualify for Social
Security Disability
Insurance benefits.
It is financed by
the federal
government.
Individuals with
disabilities who are
eligible for Social
Security Disability
Insurance or Social
Security Childhood
Disability benefits
will have a 24-month
waiting period (also
called a Medicare
Qualifying Period)
after their
disability cash
benefits begin
before they will
receive Medicare
coverage. Medicare
is also available
for people who have
permanent renal
(kidney) failure.
Some people qualify
for both
Medicaid and
Medicare. There are
two parts to
Medicare.
Medicare
Part A pays
for inpatient
hospital care,
limited coverage in
a skilled nursing
facility, and full
coverage for
eligible home health
care and hospice
care. It is financed
by
FICA payroll
taxes.
Medicare
Part B
helps pay for
doctor’s services
outpatient hospital
services, durable
medical equipment,
home health care not
covered by part A
and a variety of
other medical
supplies and
services. It is
financed by
premiums. Medicare
Part B is voluntary
and is financed in
part by monthly
premiums that the
individual pays.
Medicare Part C
is the Medicare
Advantage program.
This program has
several options,
including the
original Medicare,
and several managed
care plans available
to you. You may
learn about the
various plans by
visiting the
following link:
http://www.in.gov/idoi/shiip/choicewhat.html
Medicare Part D is the Medicare
Prescription Drug
program. There are
several options for
you to choose with
your prescription
drug program. But,
you do not have to
decide alone.
Indiana SHIP can
assist you in
determining what
program best fits
your needs. To
discuss the
prescription drug
program that is best
for you, you may
contact a trained
volunteer through
SHIP at
1-800-452-4800 or
visit their website:
http://www.in.gov/idoi/2391.htm
You may also contact
1-800-MEDICARE for
questions and
assistance, or visit
www.medicare.gov
.
