If you are nearing the age of 65, you may be asking yourself, “What is Original Medicare Coverage and am I eligible?” These are important questions because for most people nearing retirement age, the Medicare program will take over as the primary source of health insurance.
Original Medicare was first passed into law in 1965 and is the federally managed, single payer, health insurance program from for U.S. citizens and naturalized citizens age 65 or over. The program has expanded over the years to include some people with disabilities and people with End Stage Renal Disease. Although the Federal Employees Health Benefits program is another government health insurance program that covers Federal employees, Medicare is generally considered the closest example of a single payer health insurance program in the United States.
Although Medicare is now considered to have 4 parts, Original Medicare is most often associated with what is called Part A and Part B. Part A covers hospital inpatient, skilled nursing facility, and home health care benefits. Part B covers doctors’ services, medical supplies and equipment, and hospital outpatient care. Part B also covers many other services such as clinical laboratory services, imaging, ambulatory surgery, cancer treatments, preventive services, and much more.
Generally speaking, eligibility is not complicated. If you are a U.S. Citizen or naturalized citizen nearing the age of 65, or disable or have End Stage Renal Disease, you are probably eligible. Eligibility questions can be addressed to the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213.
Enrollment into Medicare Part A and B is automatic if you are receiving Social Security benefits at the time you turn age 65. If you have been receiving Social Security Disability Insurance for 24 months, you enrollment is also automatic at the end of the 24 month. Generally speaking, you should receive your red, white and blue Medicare card about 3 months prior to the month of your enrollment.
Those nearing 65 but not yet receiving Social Security benefits must submit an application to the Social Security Administration. All Medicare applicants have a 7 month, initial enrollment period that begins 3 months before the sixty-fifth birthday and ends on the last day of the third month following the month of your sixty-fifth birthday.
The one stable piece of information to hold onto is that Medicare enrollment is always done through the Social Security Administration. If you are already receiving benefits, your enrollment will be automatic and you won’t need to do anything at all. If you are not receiving SSA benefits by your sixty-fifth birthday, you will need to submit an application through the Social Security Administration. As this is quite an important change in your life, you should not hesitate to seek answers to your questions through the Social Security Administration toll free number, 1-800-772-1213.
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Tags: Insurance, medicare advantage plans, Medicare eligibility, Medicare enrollment, Original Medicare, Original Medicare Coverage
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