Medicare
What is Medicare?
Medicare is a federal program – administered through Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) – that provides health insurance coverage to eligible elderly and disabled individuals no matter their income. Coverage benefits vary based on the site of service (i.e., doctors office, hospital inpatient, hospital outpatient or home health treatments).
How Do I Know If I Qualify for Medicare?
You qualify for Medicare if you are a U.S. citizen or permanent resident and you:*
- Are 65 years or older
- Are under 65 and have a disability and have been receiving Social Security Disability Insurance for 24 months
- Have End-Stage Renal Disease, a permanent kidney failure requiring dialysis or a kidney transplant
*The above requirements are only general guidelines; please visit Medicare Rights Center and Medicare.gov for more detailed guidelines.
How Does Medicare Work?
Medicare is divided into four parts. Part A covers inpatient services, Part B covers outpatient services, and Part D covers prescription drugs. Part C refers to private Medicare Advantage plans. These four parts, combined with the Medigap option, allow you to customize your Medicare coverage for your situation.
- View a more detailed chart of Medicare benefits
- Learn more about Medicare Part D and the coverage gap
It is important to note that you will be automatically enrolled into Original Medicare (Part A) unless you actively choose another plan.