Most South Florida residents ages 65 and over, use Medicare to assist them with healthcare. The process of getting approved can be overwhelming and help can be hard to come by. The best way to make sure you get approved as soon as you are eligible is with help from a healthcare advocate.
iWill Advocates can help you get your forms filled out right the first time. We have a team of experts for all medical-related issues. We are your healthcare advocates and are here to assist when you need it the most. For Medicare help, no matter how big or small the problem, you can turn to us.
In this article, you will provide answers to the most common questions about Medicare. If you want to learn more feel free to give us a call.
Who is eligible for Medicare?
Anyone over the age of 65 is eligible for this federal health insurance program. Some people with qualifying disabilities who are under the age of 65 might also be eligible. Those individuals would have to been receiving Social Security Disability for 2 years. There are also certain diagnoses that qualify without the 2 years requirement.
How does enrollment work?
For those who are already receiving Social Security benefits, you will be automatically enrolled when you turn 65 years old. You will be enrolled in both Parts A and B. Since Part B requires a monthly payment, you can turn it down. If not, the fee will be deducted from your Social Security benefits.
If you have not started to receive Social Security, you have 7 months to enroll. You have your birth month plus 3 months before and after to enroll. If you already have health insurance, you may be able to delay signing up. To avoid penalties, you will need to enroll within 8 months after your current health insurance ends.
For every year that you fail to enroll after you turn 65, there is a 10% penalty added to your monthly payment. The best advice is to enroll as soon as you can.
What exactly does Medicare cover?
To start off you need to be aware that Medicare services and benefits have limits. Medicare will only cover 80% of your eligible expenses. You will have to pay out of pocket the 20% difference.
Medicare coverage comes in 3 Parts (A, B, and D) and each part covers a different aspect of healthcare.
Part A is what helps you pay for hospital stays, including nursing facilities. It also pays for some in-home health care.
Part B covers expenses related to doctor, preventive, and outpatient services. Medical supplies are also covered here.
Part D provides prescription assistance including most vaccines and recommended shots. In order to take advantage of this service, you will need to enroll in a drug prescription plan approved by Medicare.
What healthcare services are not covered by Medicare?
Medicare does not provide custodial care. These are long-term care services that help with daily tasks. This includes things like bathing and dressing or feeding. You will need to cover these costs on your own. Medicaid or long-term care insurance is recommended to reduce your out-of-pocket expenses.
You might want to consider a Medicare Advantage plan for any of the following:
- Vision
- Dental
- Hearing
Some of the routine costs for these types of services are covered with the added plan. You should learn about the cost of this and insurance before deciding.
Some changes were made in 2021 regarding Medicare coverage, which is not uncommon. We will help you stay abreast of changes and keep you informed whenever the need occurs. Our team is dedicated to helping you when things seem at their most difficult.
We understand how important healthcare is to you. And when things don’t go as planned, we will be there to make sure you get the healthcare you deserve.
Click here to contact us or give us a call at 954-345-1214 or 866-275-2326.