Original Medicare is a Health Insurance Program for:
1. People age 65 or older
2. People under age 65 with certain disabilities 3. People of all ages with End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) (permanent kidney failure requiring dialysis or a kidney transplant) AND you're a United States Citizen or a legal resident who has lived in the U.S. for at least five consecutive years.
Original Medicare includes Part A & B. Part D (Drugs) is not included but can be added or you can have “creditable drug coverage” from another source, i.e. VA, union or employer.
1. People age 65 or older
2. People under age 65 with certain disabilities 3. People of all ages with End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) (permanent kidney failure requiring dialysis or a kidney transplant) AND you're a United States Citizen or a legal resident who has lived in the U.S. for at least five consecutive years.
Original Medicare includes Part A & B. Part D (Drugs) is not included but can be added or you can have “creditable drug coverage” from another source, i.e. VA, union or employer.
Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance) Helps cover inpatient care in a hospital or skilled nursing facility (following a hospital stay), home health care services and hospice care services. Copayments, coinsurance and deductibles may apply for each service. You usually do not pay a monthly premium for Part A coverage if you or your spouse paid Medicare taxes for at least forty quarters, about 10 years, of full time work. You can pay a deductible and coinsurance determined by the number of days spent in the hospital. If you go into the hospital for a few days you could expect about a $1,632 bill and long stays over 2 months can cost $408/day on up to $816/day.
Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance) Helps cover doctors’ services, outpatient care, home health services and other medical services. Part B also covers some preventive services. Copayments, coinsurance and deductible’s may apply for each service. You can find out if you have Part B by looking at your Medicare card. You pay the Part B premium each month of $174.70 in 2024 for beneficiaries with incomes of $103k or less or a $206,000 or less if married. Part A and Part B are often referred to as “Original Medicare”. Part B covers 80% of Medicare approved amounts and you are generally responsible for 20%.
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Medicare Part D (Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage) A drug plan is not part of original Medicare! Drug plans are purchased through private companies approved by and under contract with Medicare. It helps cover the cost of prescription drugs, may help lower your prescription drug costs and protect against higher costs in the future. If you do not get a Drug Plan or have “creditable drug coverage” you will probably pay a penalty if you add it at a later time.
Original Medicare Does NOT include: Most dental care, Eye examinations related to prescribing glasses, Dentures, Cosmetic surgery, Acupuncture, Hearing aids and Long-term care. Some, but not all of these items can be part of or added to a Medicare Advantage or Medicare Supplement Plan.
