When you turn 65, your healthcare insurance changes; as a result of the Affordable Care Act, if you are a qualifying age and not currently enrolled in another healthcare plan, you will be automatically enrolled in Medicare. But this does not mean that you cannot opt-out or choose to sign up for a different kind of Medicare coverage instead. To qualify for these benefits, you will need to know how to apply for Medicare. Depending on your circumstances, there are multiple types of coverage that you can choose from Original – also called standard or basic coverage – Supplemental – also called Advantage or private fee-for-service coverage – and a different kind of coverage that may be available only if you meet certain conditions This blog post details what precisely each of those services entails as well as how to apply for them.
What Is Medicare?
Medicare is a federal health insurance program for people with specific eligibility requirements. If you are eligible for Medicare, you will receive coverage for healthcare expenses, including doctor visits, prescription drugs, and hospitalizations. However, Medicare does not cover all medical costs. It only covers a portion of them. The remainder of your medical expenses will fall to you, the patient. Depending on your coverage type, Medicare will also cover some of your costs associated with prescription drugs and doctor appointments. Depending on your circumstances, you may be eligible for Medicare as soon as you turn 65 or as soon as you become disabled. If you are under 65 and disabled, you may qualify for Medicare under a different program. If you are under 65 and are not disabled, you generally do not qualify for Medicare. However, there are some circumstances under which you may be able to get coverage.
How to Apply for Original Medicare (Part A & B)
Original Medicare (standard or basic coverage) is the first type of coverage you can apply for if you are over 65. You can apply for Original Medicare by visiting the Medicare website or signing up for coverage at your local Social Security office. When you sign up for Original Medicare, you will have to choose between two coverage options: Part A or Part B. Part A – Hospital insurance: If you are admitted to the hospital, Part A will cover the cost of your stay. This coverage is free if you have paid the Medicare tax during your working years. Part B – Medical insurance: This coverage covers the cost of your doctor’s visits, lab tests, and other medical services. Part B has a monthly premium associated with it.
How to Apply for Supplemental Coverage (Part D)
Supplemental coverage (also called Advantage) is an optional type of coverage you can apply for on top of Original Medicare. Supplemental coverage will augment Original Medicare, covering some of the expenses that Medicare does not cover. Part D – Prescription drug coverage: This coverage assists with the costs of prescription drugs. It also covers a yearly “doughnut hole” in Original Medicare’s prescription drug coverage. Some insurance companies that provide Supplemental coverage are Humana, UnitedHealthcare, and Aetna. You can apply for Supplemental coverage online or by calling the company’s customer service line.
How to Apply for Advantage Coverage (Part C)
Advantage coverage, also known as private fee-for-service coverage, is an optional type of coverage you can apply for on top of Original Medicare. Advantage coverage is an alternative to Supplemental coverage. Instead of providing coverage for the expenses that Original Medicare does not cover, Advantage coverage offers coverage for the costs that Original Medicare covers. Advantage coverage will pay you the difference between what Original Medicare covers and its costs. Depending on the type of Advantage coverage you select, you will have to pay a monthly premium associated with it. Many insurance companies provide Advantage coverage, including Humana and UnitedHealthcare. You can apply for Advantage coverage online on sites like Ehealth or Clearmatch Medicare or by calling the company’s customer service line.
How to Apply for Medicare
As stated earlier, you can only sign up for Medicare when you turn 65 or become disabled. If you are under 65 and are not disabled, you may be able to get coverage under a different program. If you are under 65, you may be eligible for Medicare if you have meager income and limited assets, have End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD), are in a qualified nursing home, or are a child under the age of 18. If you are under 65 and are not disabled but are experiencing financial hardship, you may be able to get coverage under Medicare as well. However, there are particular conditions under which you can qualify for these programs.
Conclusion
As you can see, there are many types of Medicare coverage you can apply for when you turn 65. Depending on your circumstances, you can sign up for Original Medicare, Supplemental coverage, or Advantage coverage. If you are under 65 and do not qualify for any of these programs, there are other ways that you can obtain healthcare coverage. For example, many insurance companies offer short-term policies that will provide coverage in case of an accident or illness.
