What You Need to Know About Medicare Eligibility Requirements

Are you looking at joining Medicare?

If you are, you might be confused about the different parts and the Medicare eligibility requirements. Are the requirements the same for each plan, or are they slightly different?

How do you know if you qualify?

If you’re asking yourself this, you’re not alone. In fact, you’re in luck, because we’re going to go into the answers below.

Keep reading and find out if you can get covered today!

The Plans and Medicare Eligibility Requirements

Original Medicare has two different parts, Part A and Part B.

Each of the parts has different features. In the following sections, we’ll go into each of the different types and their requirements so you can choose your Medicare plan.

Part A

Medicare Part A covers hospital expenses. These include inpatient hospital stays, necessary home care, nursing home services, hospice, and treatment in a skilled nursing facility.

Part A does not cover doctor visits or outpatient care but is used if you need inpatient hospital care.

Part B

Part B covers what people generally think of when they think medical care: doctor’s visits to treat, diagnose, or prevent disease.

It includes medical services like receiving the flu shot, riding in an ambulance, or participating in clinical research. In addition, it assists you in paying for mental health treatment.

Part D

Part D, also called the Medicare prescription drug benefit, was enacted in 2003 as part of the Medicare Modernization Act. It went into effect on January 1, 2006. It is an optional benefit offered to everyone who has Medicare. There are different plans available for beneficiaries to choose from and the plan includes what is called the Medicare “Donut Hole” which happens after you have reached the initial coverage period amount.

Unsure of Whether or Not Original Medicare Covers Your Services?

If you’re still uncertain as to whether or not Original Medicare covers your needs, you have several ways to find out.

First, you can talk to your doctor. Many physicians will have an idea of whether or not Medicare will cover something, so you can ask them directly.

If you’d like to check for yourself, you may do so online via Medicare’s coverage search engine.

Eligibility for Parts A and B

People are eligible for Parts A and B of Medicare if they are a senior citizen, a younger person with a disability, or somebody with End-Stage Renal Disease.

If you are over the age of 65 and you paid Medicare taxes, you might be able to get Part A premium-free.

To meet the requirements for this, you must be eligible for railroad retirement board benefits or social security. You are also eligible if you or your spouse had government employment that covered Medicare.

In some cases, people get Parts A and B automatically. In others, they need to sign up for it. If you’re getting social security or railroad retirement board benefits for at least 4 months prior to turning 65, you will automatically get both.

Likewise, if you are getting social security benefits because of disability, you’ll get both plans. If you have End-Stage Renal Disease, enrolling in Medicare will be up to you.

Health Advice for Everyday Life

Your health is important; that’s why you’re looking into Medicare eligibility requirements.

With healthcare in the United States being so expensive, it helps to keep up your health as much as possible every day. If you’re looking for more health advice, look no further! My Zeo publishes top-notch, regular posts about wellness.