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Welcome Baby Boomers: Medicare Basics
Osceola County, FL: Medicare is a government health insurance program administered by the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. To be eligible, you must be a United States citizen and meet certain requirements. If you are not a citizen, you can contact the Social Security Administration to learn if you are eligible.
Can you answer yes to at least one of the following statements?
• I am age 65 or older.
• I am younger than 65, but I have certain disabilities.
• I have End-Stage Renal Disease (kidney failure that requires a transplant or dialysis).
If you answered yes to any of these, you are likely to be eligible for Medicare benefits. What you need to know next is that Medicare beneficiaries can receive their health care from Medicare in one of two ways; through Original Medicare or through a health plan sponsored by a private company.
Original Medicare provides coverage under Medicare Parts A and B. If you use this option, you can go to any doctor or hospital that accepts Medicare patients. You usually pay a deductible and part of the cost of the services you receive. Medicare determines how much health care providers can charge for the services covered by the plan.
Are you feeling a bit overwhelmed? Do you have questions about your Medicare eligibility or plan? There is help. Call the SHINE (Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders) program to receive free, unbiased help with your Medicare questions at 1-800-963-5337. A SHINE counselor can help you review how your current coverage will change and compare it to other coverage options for next year, to find the best choice for you. And remember, the annual enrollment period is from October 15 – December 7, 2011.
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