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Health Insurance For the Over 65 Age Group
Medicare is the main insurance for people 65 and older and also provides coverage for some people with disabilities. It is the nation's largest health insurance program - covering around 39-40 million Americans.
To be eligible you must be a citizen of the United States and meet certain requirements. Medicare is health insurance offered by the federal government to people who are older than 65 and eligible. Some younger people who have disabilities, permanent kidney failure or Lou Gehrig's disease can also qualify. Medicare is a government insurance program that covers Americans who are 65 and older. President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the bill creating Medicare on July 30, 1965. At that time, only half of America's elderly had any health insurance.
Medicare serves all eligible beneficiaries without regard to income or medical history. Most individuals ages 65 and over are automatically entitled to Medicare Part A (the Hospital Insurance Program) if they or their spouse are eligible for Social Security payments. Medicare then cost more than 800% over projections! This was a medical insurance plan which was intended to pay for itself but instead had become a Federal entitlement. Medicare supplemental health insurance plans can also cover your Medicare Part A deductible, extra days of hospital care, your Medicare co-payment amounts, skilled nursing and foreign travel emergency care.
Medicare is complicated - with many exceptions, provisions, rules, limitations, and so forth - making it seemingly impossible to unravel. The wise senior citizen will get assistance long before the time comes to enroll in Medicare.
Medicare HMOs cover the same doctor and hospital services as the original Medicare program, but out-of-pocket costs for these services are usually different. HMOs appeal to some people with Medicare because they may provide additional benefits, such as eyeglasses, which are not covered by the traditional Medicare program. Medicare has moved from that approach to one that rewards quality outcomes. To help achieve these improved outcomes, starting in 2009, Medicare will be rewarding prescribers who utilize an approved electronic prescribing system. Medicare covers many different types of medical costs. This includes things like durable medical equipment, doctors visits, and hospital stays.
Medicare pays for all covered expenses after the deductible for the first 60 days of hospitalization. After 60 days of a hospital stay Medicare pays for coinsurance amounts up to a total of 150 days. Medicare Part B is optional and requires a monthly premium. It covers certain medical and outpatient services, including physician care. Medicare is split into a number of parts. Most people get Medicare Part A without having to pay extra fees, and it covers some of the costs of hospitalization.
Raymond_Fellers
