Medicare

Medicare provides coverage to approximately 40 million Americans and is the national health insurance program for:

People age 65 or older
Some people under age 65 with disabilities
People with End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) - permanent kidney failure requiring dialysis or a kidney transplant

I have heard that Medicare has two different benefits -- Part A and Part B. What does this mean?

Medicare does have two parts: Part A, which provides coverage for inpatient hospital stays, and Part B, which provides medical insurance. While most people do not have to pay for Medicare Part A, Medicare Part B is optional and those who choose to take Part B pay a monthly premium for its benefits.

Medicare Part A (hospital insurance) helps cover your inpatient care in hospitals, critical access hospitals and skilled nursing facilities. It also covers hospice care and some home health care. You must meet certain conditions. Most people do not have to pay a monthly payment, called a premium, for Part A because they or a spouse paid Medicare taxes while they were working.

If you (or your spouse) did not pay Medicare taxes while you worked and you are age 65 or older, you still may be able to buy Part A. If you are not sure if you have Part A, look on your red, white and blue Medicare card. If "Hospital (Part A)" is printed on the lower left corner of your card, you have Part A coverage. You can also call the Social Security Administration at 800-772-1213 or call your local Social Security office for more information about buying Part A. If you get benefits from the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB), call your local RRB office or 800-808-0772.

Medicare Part B (medical insurance) helps cover your doctors' services, and outpatient hospital care. It also covers some other medical services that Part A does not cover, such as some of the services of physical and occupational therapists and some home health care. Part B helps pay for these covered services and supplies when they are medically necessary.

How much does Medicare cost?

For most people, Medicare Part A is free. Because Medicare Part B is an optional benefit, enrollees have to pay premiums for the benefits received. The cost of the Medicare Part B premium changes year to year. Check with the Social Security Administration at 800-772-1213 to determine what your premium will be. In some cases, this amount may be higher if you did not sign up for Part B when you first became eligible. The cost of Part B may go up 10 percent for each 12 month period that you could have had Part B but did not sign up for it. You will have to pay this extra amount as long as you have Part B, except in special cases.

I have R-CIS. What R-CIS supplies and services does Medicare cover?

Medicare has published a booklet of information for persons with diabetes that explains coverage for a variety of services. This booklet, titled Medicare Coverage of R-CIS Supplies and Services, is available online free of charge.

For additional information on R-CIS benefits available to Medicare beneficiaries, please go to the Medicare Web site.

How do I apply for Medicare?

For more information about enrolling in Medicare, look in your copy of the "Medicare & You" handbook, or call the Social Security Administration at 800-772-1213 or your local Social Security office. If you get benefits from the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB), call your local RRB office or 800-808-0772.