84 Senior Resource Directory 2020-2021
Includes some excerpts from
www.medicare.org
Medicare is our country’s health insurance program for people age 65
or older. Certain people younger than age 65 also qualify for Medicare,
including those who have disabilities and those who have permanent
kidney failure or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (Lou Gehrig’s disease).
The program helps with the cost of health care, but it does not cover
all medical expenses or the cost of most long-term care. You apply for
Medicare at the Social Security office, which can also provide general
information about the Medicare program, but Medicare benefits
and claims are actually handled through the Centers for Medicare
and Medicaid Services (CMS), which is part of the United States
Department of Health and Human Services.
Medicare has four parts
• Hospital insurance (Part A) helps pay for inpatient care in a
hospital or skilled nursing facility (following a hospital stay), some
home health care, and hospice care.
• Medical insurance (Part B) helps pay for doctors’ services and
many other medical services and supplies that are not covered by
hospital insurance.
• Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans are available in all counties
in Alabama. People with Medicare Parts A and B can choose to
receive all of their health care services through one of these provider
organizations under Part C instead of through Medicare Parts A, B,
and D. Most, but not all, Medicare Advantage plans also include
prescription drug coverage that would otherwise be available
through Part D. If you choose a Medicare Advantage plan, you
cannot enroll separately in a stand-alone Part D prescription drug
plan.
• Prescription drug coverage (Part D) helps pay for prescription
medications and is available through your choice of numerous
private insurance plans approved by Medicare.
You can get more detailed information about what Medicare covers
from “Medicare & You” (Publication No. CMS-10050). To get a copy,
call the Medicare toll-free number, 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-
4227), or go to www.medicare.gov. If you are deaf or hard of hearing,
you may call TTY 1-877-486-2048.
A word about Medicaid
You may think that Medicaid and Medicare are the same. Actually,
they are two different programs. Medicaid is a state-run program that
provides hospital and medical coverage for people with low income
and little or no resources. Each state has its own rules about who is
eligible and what is covered under Medicaid. Some people qualify for
both Medicare and Medicaid. In Alabama, people who qualify for SSI
MEDICARE
& MEDICAID
/www.medicare.gov
/www.medicare.org