I saw an article which explained Medicare in simple terms. I though I would pass it along. It was written by Toni King in the Fort Bend Sun.
“This is the most popular question I get every week. Since 10,000 people are turning 65 each day for the next 19 years, I have a feeling just a few people in this area are turning 65. Let’s talk about just what is “Original Medicare.”
“You cannot compare Medicare to your old group health insurance with all of the co-pays, deductibles or out-of -pocket expenses that you are accustomed to. Take that knowledge out of your brain and put it in File 13 or the old trashcan, because you will never use it again. Your health insurance experience as you know it will never be the same.
“Original of Traditional Medicare consists of Parts A and B only and not Parts C or D. As long as your doctor, healthcare provider or facility accepts “Original Medicare” or Traditional Medicare, then you can use them. Ask your Medical provider if they accept Medicare Assignment. There is not a network with “Original Medicare.”
“Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance) pays for your medical care while you have a hospital stay. Part A also pays some of the costs if you stay in a skilled nursing facility which has 100-day benefit, hospice, or if you receive home health care. The Part A deductible for 2011 is $1,132 and can be used six times in a year. Yes, Part A has a benefit period of 60 days, so every 60 days, there is a new deductible of $1,132. Skilled nursing has a $0 co-pay for days 1-20 but from days 21-100 there is $141.50 co-pay per day. After day 100, you pay all of the cost for additional days.
“Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance) helps cover for medically necessary services such as doctors services, outpatient hospital care, tests, home health care, durable medical equipment and other medical services. Part B is voluntary but if you do not enroll at the right time, then you can receive a 10 percent penalty for each 12-month period you may have had Part B, but decided not to enroll in Part B. This penalty is applied to your Part B premium each month as long as you are on Medicare. Please see page 131-134 of the 2011 Medicare and You handbook for everything that Parts A & B covers and the premiums for each Part.
More later on this topic.