(Newswire.net — October 11, 2018) — Medicare is a federal health insurance program created by the government for people who are 65 years or older. It also covers individuals suffering from end stage renal disease (transplant or permanent kidney failure that requires dialysis) and certain group of younger people with disability. Medicare is divided into three parts (part A, B and D). Part A usually covers inpatient hospital stays in a quality nursing facility. Part B covers doctor’s services, medical supplies, outpatient care as well as preventative. Part D covers prescription drugs.
Advantages of Medicare
1. Low monthly premiums
Medicare, particularly part A is premium free for most patients and standard premium for part B usually starts at $134 per month. Low monthly premiums mean that the patient will not struggle to access medical services in a decent healthcare facility.
2. It provides extra coverage
Medicare coverage usually offers extra coverage in things like dental, vision and hearing treatments. However, not all include part D (prescription drugs). This means that the patient can access crucial extra services at your local health care facility at no cost.
3. Pay as you go
Another important benefit of Medicare is that it allows you to pay as you go. Many Medicare coverages have little or no premium except for the part B which requires you to pay continuously. As a result, when you choose Medicare, then you will save a lot of money monthly when compared to individuals using Medicare supplement insurance plans. However, if you happen to seek the services of the doctor on a regular basis, then you will be required to make some small payments but if you don’t see many doctors or if you don’t regularly use the services of medical providers, then Medicare will help you save a lot of money each month.
4. Card consolidation
Medicare is usually regarded as an all in one program. This means that one card will actually handle many bills including prescription drugs, hospital and medical benefits. This actually means that all the above mentioned benefits are actually paid by this card. You won’t need to have three separate cards, one for supplement, one for Medicare and the other for part D program as it is usually the case for individuals who are not covered by Medicare.
5. Broad acceptance
Medicare offers a wide range of options when it comes to selecting a healthcare provider. Recent study conducted by Henry J Kaiser Foundation revealed that more than 9 out of 10 doctors in the United States accept Medicare. This means that the patient has a wide variety when it comes to choosing a health care facility.
So is Medicare plan right for you? This question does not have a yes or no answer because the decision that you make depends on the situation
that you are currently facing. It is therefore up to you to determine if the advantages of Medicare meets your individual medical needs. Do your own extensive research and compare cost, benefits and restriction of this particular plan before you make your final decision. If you have a specific physician that you want to use, check to see if the doctor has been included in the Medicare plan that you are interested in.