It pays to understand what Medicare Advantage offers before you switch from Original Medicare If you have ever had a Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) plan or a Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) plan through an employer or the Healthcare Exchange, you already have a pretty good idea about how Medicare Advantage plans work. In this article, […]
Medicare Part A
Inpatient Coverage for People with Original Medicare
Original Medicare has two parts, A and B. Medicare Part A is the hospital inpatient coverage portion of Medicare health insurance. It covers hospital and skilled nursing facility inpatient care services. It does not doctors, lab tests, diagnostics, and durable medical equipment, which is covered under Part B.
Many people with Original Medicare cover their Part A out-of-pocket costs with a Medigap plan. These supplemental Medicare plans fill the 20% gap caused by the Medicare Part A deductible and coinsurance.
On this page, you will find our most recent articles related to Medicare Part A inpatient coverage.
Does Medicare Have a Maximum Out of Pocket Limit?
Medicare’s Maximum Out-of-Pocket Limit is a Serious Liability Depending on the coverage selections you’ve made, your Medicare benefits may have low out-of-pocket costs, high out-of-pocket costs, or even unlimited out-of-pocket expenses. In this MedicareWire article, we’ll dissect your liability and how to get more coverage if you need it. Key Takeaways Original Medicare has no out-of-pocket limits. The 20-percent […]
Understanding Medicare in 4 Easy Steps
If you are getting your Medicare benefits for the first time, the jargon may sound foreign, but you don’t need Medicare for Dummies to figure it out. Once you learn the ABCs and D of Medicare, you’ll be well on your way. In this MedicareWire blog post, we’ll break down the four main parts of Medicare and answer these top questions […]
When Does Medicare Start? 7 Important Facts You Need to Know.
Medicare is the government medical insurance plan for older Americans and people with certain disabilities. As of 2020, more than 61-million Americans rely on Medicare for their primary health insurance needs. By the year 2032, this number will swell to over 80-million people. In this MedicareWire.com article, we’ll explain when Medicare starts for most people […]
Does Medicare Cover Blood Tests?
Medicare covers many common laboratory tests and diagnostics needed to keep you healthy or diagnose a symptom. This includes many blood tests for things like hepatitis, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), triglycerides, cholesterol, lipids, and most preventive care lab tests. In this MedicareWire.com article, we’ll explain what lab tests Medicare covers. Blood tests are covered under […]
Medicare Advantage vs Medigap: Which is Best for You?
While shopping for Medicare health insurance, most people want to know “What is the big difference between Medicare supplements and Medicare advantage plans?” Medicare supplements and Medicare Advantage are very different health insurance products, but they both attempt to protect you from the high cost of a chronic illness or being hospitalized. Unfortunately, it’s very difficult to compare Medicare supplements, also known […]
What Is Medicare Part G?
There are four different parts to the Medicare program. From its inception in 1965, it has been a government-run health insurance program for seniors aged 65 and people with disabilities and medical conditions. But, did you know it isn’t all-inclusive care? That’s where Medicare Plan G comes in. Let’s start with a quick review of what Medicare covers and its four Parts […]
What Is Medicare Part F?
The federal Medicare program is a series of lettered (A, B, C, and D) medical insurance plans available to people, age 65 and older, and certain adults with qualifying disabilities. Medicare Part A and B are provided directly by the government, whereas Parts C and D are provided through private insurance companies authorized to sell […]
2020 Medicare Coverage & Benefits
What You Must Know to Avoid Financial Ruin & Get What You Deserve Sixty million people (51 million seniors and 9 million adults with disabilities) use Medicare for their health insurance coverage. To understand what Medicare covers and how it provides coverage benefits, you need to know the ABCs and D of Medicare: Medicare Part A covers your […]
Do I Really Need Supplemental Insurance with Medicare?
We often get questions from people about to retire who are concerned about their budget. This is understandable because a fixed budget can put the squeeze on your finances. Recently I got a question from a friend with Social Security disability benefits that has had her Medicare since she was in her 50s. Now turning […]
How Much Do Medicare Supplements Cost?
Many seniors are shocked to learn that Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) only pays about 80% of Medicare-covered costs and that there’s no out of pocket maximum on the costs that beneficiaries pay (the remaining 20%). Learning this is when most people become interested in supplemental Medicare insurance. A Medicare Supplement plan (aka, […]
Medigap Plans K and N vs. Medicare Advantage Plans
It has long been assumed that Medicare Advantage plans are the way to go if you need a low monthly premium. The risk trade-off, of course, is higher out of pocket costs until you reach the annual spending limit. However, the premiums are so low on most of the basic plans that many seniors wonder, […]
When and How-to Enroll in Medicare
For most people Medicare enrollment is automatic. For some, enrollment terms vary depending on how and when you become eligible. Most people are automatically enrolled in Medicare when they reach age 65. This is when your Social Security benefits start. If you live in the continental United States the Social Security Administration (SSA) kicks off […]
How Much Does Medicare Cost?
Not everyone pays the same amount for their Medicare. If you have Medicare benefits, the amount you pay for your health insurance depends on how much you earn, the type of Medicare insurance you choose, and how much health care you require. Medicare has several parts, and each part has different costs. Plus, people earning […]
What is Medicare?
Medicare is health insurance for U.S. citizens and legal residents ages 65 and older. Benefits are also available to people with certain disabilities, and those with kidney failure (End-Stage Renal Disease) or Lou Gehrig’s Disease. The federal program was created in 1965 to help seniors pay for their health care expenses. It is the most […]