Medicare is a federal health insurance coverage program meant for people who are 65 years of age or older, as well as certain younger people with disabilities or those with end-stage renal disease (kidney failure). This program has three tiers that each provide a certain amount of health care coverage based on what the person needs help paying for.

  • Medicare Part A covers costs for hospital stays, hospice, skilled nursing facility care, and some in-home care
  • Medicare Part B provides standard medical coverage for physician and specialist visits, outpatient care, and preventative care
  • Medicare Part D covers costs of prescriptions

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Here’s How Medicare Can Help Older Americans Afford Healthcare
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There’s also the Medicare Advantage plan, also referred to as Medicare Part C, which bundles all three main tiers of the program into one plan. 

Typically, people who have Medicare do not have to pay a monthly premium for Medicare Part A or Part D plans, but likely pay a premium for Part B. However, the cost of Medicare is usually less than the cost of private health insurance coverage, which is often beneficial for people on a fixed income and/or with little to no ability to earn an income.

Some people may also qualify for Medicare supplemental insurance through Medicaid or AARP insurance plans that can help pay for additional costs not covered through Medicare.

If you think you qualify for Medicare health coverage, continue reading to learn the steps you ca take to apply:

  1. Visit Medicare.gov. This website is where you’ll find all of the qualification requirements, view the application instructions, and manage your account when/if you get Medicare coverage.
  1. Apply for Medicare coverage. Fill out the application online and include information about your income and employment status, you age, your disability status, any other government assistance programs you’re enrolled in, and your relevant medical history, which will be used to help you determine what tiers of Medicare you should sign up for.
  1. Select your tiers of coverage. You need to decide whether you want Medicare Part A, B, D, or Medicare Advantage (Part C). Consider the health care costs you frequently have, such as whether you pay for multiple medications, have regular hospital stays, need hospice care, or just need coverage for when you go to the doctor for regular checkups.

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