Original Medicare (Parts A & B)

Medicare is a complex set of healthcare benefits, but there are some basic things you need to know if you’re an eligible senior looking to sign up for the program. A combination of two essential programs, Medicare A and B, provides affordable healthcare coverage for seniors.

Although it may seem daunting initially, signing up for Medicare can be straightforward with the right advice. This article will help you understand the basics of original Medicare (Parts A & B), including how to enroll in one or both programs and what they cover.

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What Is Medicare?

Medicare is a government-provided program that covers a wide range of healthcare services for insured individuals. It is available for citizens aged 65 or older, specific individuals with disabilities, and individuals with end-stage renal disease.

If you are an eligible senior, Medicare will cover healthcare services like doctor visits, lab tests, and emergency care, but not grocery services.Original Medicare is a government-paid healthcare system consisting of two separate programs: Hospital Insurance (Part A) and Medical Insurance (Part B).

Parts A & B – Who Can Participate & How To Enroll

Part A – Hospital Insurance

The first part of Medicare, Part A, is a health insurance plan that covers inpatient care at a hospital or other healthcare facility. This includes room and board, nursing care, medications, and other services for your inpatient stay. You will also be covered if you require surgery or other procedures that last at least two hours.

Part B – Medical Insurance

The second part of Medicare, Part B, provides coverage for other medical services not covered by Part A. This includes lab tests, doctor visits, outpatient surgeries, and other medical services that don’t take place in a hospital setting.

You can enroll in these programs at any time. As soon as you turn 65, you are automatically enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B. The only exception is if you sign up for Medicare due to disability. In this case, you will only be enrolled in Medicare Part B.

Medicare Part A – Hospital Insurance

As mentioned above, Part A is designed to cover medical costs incurred during a hospital stay. While most seniors are automatically enrolled in this program, some may not qualify. Here are a few factors to keep in mind:

Your Work History – If you’ve worked more than ten years in government service, you will be automatically enrolled in Medicare Part A at no cost. If your employment with the government were less than ten years, you’d need to pay a premium for the coverage.
Your Socioeconomic Status – If you or your spouse have a low enough income or have accumulated significant assets, you may be eligible for a government subsidy that covers Part A. This means you will not have to pay a premium for this coverage.
Your Health – If you have a significant health condition or have been hospitalized in the past, your physician will likely recommend that you sign up for Part A. This is because Medicare Part A covers preventative care, including lab tests and doctor visits, without a copay.
Your Age – Medicare will automatically enroll seniors aged 65 and above in Part A. However, if you are younger than 65 and are disabled, you’ll also be automatically enrolled in this program.

Medicare Part B – Medical Insurance

Part B is a medical insurance plan that covers other medical costs that Part A does not. Like Part A, a few criteria will qualify you for coverage.

Your Work History – If you’ve worked for the government for at least ten years, you will be automatically covered for Part B. Additionally, suppose your spouse has worked for the government for ten years. In that case, you will be automatically covered for Part B.
Your Socioeconomic Status – Part B has no government subsidy available. You will be required to pay a monthly premium for coverage.
Your Health – If you have a significant health condition, have been hospitalized, or have a chronic illness, your physician may recommend signing up for this insurance. The reason is that Part B covers some preventative care, like lab tests, without a copay.
Your Age – If you are younger than 65 and disabled, you’ll automatically enroll in Part B. If you are younger than 65 but have other health conditions, your physician will likely recommend you sign up for this insurance.

Which Plan Is Right For You?

The main difference between Parts A and B is that Part A covers inpatient care, whereas Part B covers outpatient services like doctor visits and diagnostic tests. This means that Part A covers services during a hospital stay, while Part B covers services outside of a hospital setting. This is important to keep in mind when choosing between the two plans.

If you are diagnosed with a severe medical condition, you may spend significant time in the hospital. In this case, you may want to prioritize coverage under Part A. If you are generally healthy and see a doctor infrequently, then you may prefer to have coverage under Part B.

Another factor to consider is that Part A has a monthly premium. This means that you will have to pay a monthly fee to stay enrolled in Part A. By contrast, Part B has no premium and is therefore completely free to sign up for.

Conclusion

Senior citizens can enjoy significant savings by enrolling in Medicare. This government-run health insurance program covers many health costs associated with aging and is available to most citizens aged 65 and older.

Part A covers inpatient care such as hospital stays, Part B covers outpatient services like doctor visits and diagnostic tests, and Part D covers prescription medications. There are two ways to sign up for Medicare: enroll in original Medicare or sign up for a Medicare Advantage plan.