subject: The Medicare Website - How Can It Help Me? [print this page] The Medicare website provides information about Medicare. It discusses various aspects of Medicare, including how to know if you are eligible, the enrollment periods, and the differences between each Medicare plan.
It also gives you an overview the Medicare physical exam. Medicare provides health insurance for individuals who are 65 years of age or older, or persons under 65 who are disabled. It also provides for people of any age who have end-stage renal disease. This disease causes permanent kidney failure that requires a kidney transplant or dialysis. Medicare is generally broken into four parts. They are hospital insurance, medical insurance, Medicare advantage plans, and prescription drug services.
The Medicare website discusses an overview of the physical exam and what to expect. This is a one-time exam and must be taken within the first year of having part B Medicare. It thoroughly reviews your health and educates you about preventive services or counseling that you may need. You should bring your medical records and immunization records, as well as a list of prescription drugs you are taking as well as why you take them and how often, and the history of your family's health. You should share as much as you can about your family health history.
Another aspect discussed on the Medicare website is the Medicare savings program. This program may be able to help you pay for part or all of the premiums you have for part A and part B. You will be eligible if you meet certain resource limits and income limits. These limits are shown on the website. The four types of savings programs are qualified disabled and working individuals, qualified individual, qualified Medicare beneficiary, and specified low-income Medicare beneficiary. For the last three programs, you must be eligible for part A in order to qualify, even if you are not enrolled in part A.
The website also discusses understanding claims for Medicare. The Medicare summary notice is a notice that shows all of the supplies or services that are billed to Medicare for every three month period. It also shows what you owe the provider and what was paid by Medicare. It is not a bill. If you have original Medicare, by law your suppliers and doctors are required to file claims for Medicare for supplies you receive and services that are covered. You should not have to file these claims yourself.
