You’ve decided that you want to know more about Medicare. If that’s the case, you’re in luck. This article will give you everything you need to know about Medicare Part A and Part B, including the different plans, who is eligible for Medicare, how much it costs, and more.
Medicare Part A & B
Medicare Part A and B coverage is essential to your health care. Medicare Part A, also known as hospital insurance, covers inpatient hospitalizations, skilled nursing care, hospice, and home healthcare. Medicare Part B, also known as supplemental medical insurance, covers outpatient services like doctor visits, lab tests, durable medical equipment, etc.
Medicare Part A 2022 eligibility is based on age. If you’re 65 or older at enrollment and have worked long enough in a Medicare-covered occupation (usually ten years or 40 quarters), you’re eligible for Medicare Part A 2022. If you haven’t worked long enough in a job covered by Medicare, you may still be able to get 2022 Medicare Part A benefits by paying a monthly premium.
Medicare Part A in 2022 cost will vary depending on whether you’ve made enough payments into the Medicare system while working or not. If you qualify for premium-free Medicare Part A 2022 coverage (in other words, if you have at least ten years of work history in a job covered by Medicare), your monthly premium costs will be $0. If you don’t qualify for premium-free coverage (meaning you have less than ten years of work history under a job covered
Medicare Supplement Plans
Medicare Supplement Plans in 2022, also known as Medigap plans, are designed to cover the out-of-pocket costs that Original Medicare didn’t pay for. The out-of-pocket costs Original Medicare doesn’t include copayments, coinsurance, and deductibles. These out-of-pocket expenses can add up quickly, and if you don’t have a Medicare Supplement Plan in place, you could be left with a hefty medical bill.
Each Medigap plan is standardized by Medicare which means each plan must offer the same benefits regardless of which insurance company you buy it from. However, each insurance company can charge different premiums for their plan. This means that even though two insurance companies may be offering the same Plan, one may cost more than the other. So, it pays to shop around when looking for a Medicare Supplement Plan 2022.
Medicare Eligibility
Medicare eligibility for 2022 is the same as it was for 2021. To be eligible for Medicare, you must be:
Age 65 or older; or
If you are under the age of 65 and disabled.
In any of the following conditions, you must be at least 65 years old with end-stage renal
disease (ESRD); or
Disability-related individuals with special needs qualify for SSI or Medicaid benefits solely because of their disabilities.
If you have been eligible for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) long enough to qualify for Medicare based on disability, you may get Medicare benefits three months before your 65th birthday. If you are eligible based on being disabled, your Medicare coverage will begin on the first day of the third month before your 65th birthday.
For example, if your birthday is October 1st and you are approved for SSDI on May 1st, your Medicare coverage will begin on July 1st. If you were approved for disability after December 31st, 2019, but before March 1st, 2022, your coverage would not start until July 2022.
Essential Federal Program
Medicare is one of the most critical federal programs, period. It helps millions of Americans each year receive the medical care they need. Most people will initially enroll in Medicare when they turn 65 years old. However, there are many things you should know about Medicare when signing up. We hope this guide provided a good overview of what entails Medicare coverage, eligibility, and more. It’s one of the most flexible healthcare plans and should serve you well for many years to come.