Medicare Supplemental Insurance

Part A

This is hospital insurance that covers:

• Inpatient hospital and rehabilitation facility care, including X-rays, surgeries and radiation treatment
• Skilled nursing facility, hospice and home health care

Most people won’t pay a premium for Part A.

Part B

This is medical insurance that covers:

• Outpatient hospital and home health care
• Ambulance, doctor and preventive services

You’ll pay a monthly premium for Part B. The premium is usually taken out of your Social Security check.

Part C

An alternative to Original Medicare, this is a Medicare Advantage plan that:

• Covers all your Parts A and B benefits
• May cover your prescription drugs, too
• May also offer extra benefits, such as vision and dental coverage or a fitness membership
• May require you to see network doctors or specialists
• Caps your out-of-pocket spending to protect your finances

You may pay a monthly premium for Part C. You must keep paying your Part B premium, too.

Part D

This is a Medicare prescription drug plan that:

• Covers your prescription drugs
• Is often included in a Medicare Advantage plan
• Can be purchased separately to go with Original Medicare

You may pay a monthly premium for Part D.

Am I eligible for Medicare?

You’re eligible if you:

• Are age 65 or older
• Are under 65 and have certain disabilities
• Have end-stage renal (kidney) disease

Do I have to apply for Parts A & B?

You don’t have to apply if you already get social security benefits or railroad retirement checks when you first become eligible for Medicare.

If you don’t get either one, contact social security about three months before your 65^th birthday to sign up for Medicare. You can sign up even if you don’t plan to retire at 65.

If you’re working and have medical coverage through your employer, ask them if you should sign up for Part B when you’re first eligible for Medicare.

How are Original Medicare and a Medicare Advantage (Part C) plan different?

Original Medicare

• You can go to any doctor or hospital that accepts Medicare.
• You have to buy a separate Part D plan if you want or need prescription drug coverage.
• You may not have a limit on how much you pay out of pocket each year.

Medicare Advantage (Part C) plan

• It has a network of doctors and hospitals you may have to use.
• It may include prescription drug coverage, so you wouldn’t need to buy a separate Part D plan.
• It caps your annual out-of-pocket costs to protect your finances.

When can I enroll in a Medicare Part C or D plan?

It’s important to know your enrollment period. That way, you’ll always have coverage.

1. Initial Enrollment Period. This included the three months before, the month of and the three months after your 65^th birthday.
2. Annual Election Period. You can enroll in or change your Medicare plan from October 15 through December 7 each year.
3. Special Enrollment Period. You may be able to enroll in or change Medicare plans if you:

• • Lose employer coverage
  • Move to a new service area
  • Have extra help for your prescription drugs

If you have Medicaid or receive extra help for your prescription drugs, you may use the special election period to enroll in a plan once every three months:

• January to March
• April to June
• July to September

If you’re enrolled in a Medicare Advantage (Part C) plan, you may be able to change your plan from January 1 to March 31. (You can change your plan only once during this time period.)