Medicare Insurance

Medicare

Medicare is the federal health insurance program for:

• People who are 65 or older
• Certain younger people with disabilities
• People with End-Stage Renal Disease (permanent kidney failure requiring dialysis or a transplant, sometimes called ESRD)

Generally, a Medicare health plan is offered by a private insurance company that contracts with Medicare to provide benefits to people who enroll in the plan.

The different parts of Medicare help cover specific services:

• Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance)
  Part A covers inpatient hospital stays, care in a skilled nursing facility, hospice care, and some home health care.
• Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance)
  Part B covers certain doctors' services, outpatient care, medical supplies, and preventive services.
• Medicare Part D (prescription drug coverage)
  Helps cover the cost of prescription drugs (including many recommended shots or vaccines).

Medicare health plans include:

• Medicare Advantage Plans
• Other Medicare health plans
  • Medicare Cost Plans
  • Demonstrations/Pilot Programs
  • Programs of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE)
  • Medication Therapy Management (MTM) programs for complex health needs