EARLY PHASE \\ INITIAL MEDICAL CARE
UNDERSTANDING MEDICARE:
Parts, Plans and Meeting Your Needs Courtesy of Sharon Wagner, seniorfriendly.info
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50 \\ SRGTEXAS.COM
any Americans who enter into Medicare do so with a sketchy understanding of how the system works. That’s rather alarming considering how much older Americans rely on Medicare for their health care needs. It’s essential that seniors and their caregivers understand how the program works to avoid missing out on important benefits and paying unnecessarily high costs. Sometimes, the best approach is to start from the beginning when unraveling a complex subject like Medicare.
PARTS OF MEDICARE When you sign up for Medicare at age 65 you’re automatically enrolled in Plan A, which is hospital coverage, and Plan B, which covers outpatient coverage. Part A covers room and board in a hospital or skilled nursing facility, while Part B covers things like doctor visits, surgeries, lab work, equipment and diagnostic tests. Prescription drugs are covered under Part D, which provides a card that allows you to buy prescription medications at a significantly lower cost than retail. Part D insurance is voluntary coverage, but it’s a key part of the system because paying out-ofpocket for medications can be extremely expensive.
