New to Medicare Enrollment Tips, If you’re new to Medicare, you may not know exactly what you need to register to get the coverage you want. Medicare has several “parts”, some of which may be automatically enrolled when you qualify, and others you must choose to register. Some parts of Medicare are administered by the federal government and others are managed by private insurance companies registered under the Medicare plan. If you’re new to Medicare, learn how to get the coverage you need.
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New to Medicare Enrollment Tips 1:
Do you need hospital insurance? You can get hospital insurance under Part A. Most people are automatically enrolled in Medicare Part A and do not pay a premium. In addition to hospital care, Medicare Part A covers skilled nursing care, nursing home care under certain circumstances, hospital care and home health services. You can apply for Part A of Health Insurance online on the Social Security website.
New to Medicare Enrollment Tips 2:
Do you need health insurance? You can obtain health insurance through Part B. Medicare covers medical visits, durable medical equipment (such as walkers), ambulance services and preventive services such as vaccines. Part B of health insurance is accompanied by a premium. Although you are automatically registered, you can opt out of this protection if you wish. You can apply for Health Insurance Part B online on the Social Security website. Together, Part A and part of health insurance are original medical care.
Read More: How to file for Medicaid | Applying for Medicaid gov. program
New to Medicare Enrollment Tips 3:
Do you want prescription drug coverage? Original Medicare does not cover most prescription medications you take at home. To cover most prescriptions, you will need health insurance Part D coverage. You can get a Medicare Part D health insurance plan from a private insurance company regulated by Medicare. You will usually have to pay a separate premium for your independent prescription drug plan. You can also get prescription drug coverage through a Medicare Advantage plan with prescription drug coverage. (For more information on Medicare Advantage, see Tip 5.)
New to Medicare Enrollment Tips 4:
Want help paying Medicare? Please note that health insurance is not free. Generally, you will always have to pay premiums, deductibles, copays and co-insurance and if you have many medical visits or extended hospital stays, the costs may add up. A Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plan will not help you cover your health insurance premiums, but it can help you pay for copayes, co-insurance and deductibles that you would otherwise have to pay in pocket. The Medicare Supplement helps to cover original health insurance costs (Part A and Part B), but does not cover everything that the original Medicare plan does not normally cover, such as prescription drugs, dental care or routine vision. Like stand-alone prescription drug plans, health supplement plans are offered by private insurance companies registered by Medicare.
Read more: What is the best Medicare Supplement Insurance Plan
New to Medicare Enrollment Tips 5:
Want to get additional benefits? You might be surprised to know what you left outside of the original health insurance coverage, including:
- Most prescription drugs
- Most dental care and dentures
- Eye exams related to prescribing glasses
- Hearing aids and exams for fitting them
- Routine foot care
To cover these additional benefits, you may wish to consider registering for a Medicare Advantage plan offered by a Medicare licensed private insurance company. Some Medicare Advantage plans have premiums as low as $0, although you must continue to pay your Medicare Advantage Part B premiums must cover at least all original health insurance coverage, but these plans are free to add additional benefits. Many Medicare Advantage plans have networks, which means you could pay more if you see off-grid providers.
Read More: What is Medicare Part A & B | 2021 Full Guide
New to Medicare Enrollment Tips 6:
Want a Pocket Max? Original Medicare has no pocket limit, which means you could have health insurance and keep spending thousands and thousands of your pockets. Two types of plans offered by private insurance companies that have contracted health insurance have maximums. These are the following:
- Medicare Advantage Plans (all Medicare Advantage plans have direct limits)
- Medicare K and L Supplement Plans Once you have reached your annual expense limit and paid your annual Part B deductible, your plan can pay 100% of the covered services for the remainder of the calendar year.
This information is not a complete description of the benefits. Contact the plan for more information. Limitations, co-payments and restrictions may apply. Benefits, premiums and/or copayments/coinsurance may change on January 1 of each year.
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