The Truth About Medicare!*
Some
widely held beliefs about Medicare are misguided or wrong.
Here, we separate fact from fiction:
Myth: Medicare
provides cheap health care.
Fact: It’s true that most
people don’t have to pay monthly premiums on Medicare Part A (which covers
inpatient stays in hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, hospice and home
care. But you will have to meet a deductible before your Part A coverage takes
effect.
Myth: Everybody
pays the same premium for Part B (which covers doctor visits).
Fact: For the vast majority
of Medicare beneficiaries, that’s true (and for them the monthly premium this
year has been $104.90).
Myth: Everybody
pays the same premium for Part D (which covers prescription drugs.)
Fact: There are 31 Part D prescription
drug plans offered for sale in the Houston metropolitan area for consumers that
have original Medicare. These Part D drug plans have different costs and
coverage associated with each one. It is a good idea to investigate these
thoroughly to determine which one is right for you.
Myth: Medicare
automatically covers everything.
Fact: Not true, it is a good
idea to investigate the coverage you need and what is offered to determine what
coverage is best to meet your individual needs.
Myth: You should
sign up for Medicare as soon as possible even if you’re working.
Fact: When it comes to Part
A, which covers hospitalization, that’s probably a good move. As for Part B,
which covers doctors’ visits, the federal government suggests that you wait to
sign up, since your at-work insurance is still the primary payer for those
medical bills. Visit the Social Security Administration’s website (www.ssa.gov)
to sign up, or call the SSA at 1-800-772-1213.
Myth: Medicare
covers all hospital stays equally.
Fact: Unfortunately, whether
a person is classified as an actual “inpatient” or only “under observation” can
make a huge difference in the amount he or she may be responsible for. To
qualify for Skilled Nursing Facility care, a person must have been a patient in
a hospital for three consecutive days. But if that patient is only in the
hospital “for observation,” he or she may be liable for additional charges
during the stay – as well as all follow-up skilled nursing facility care. To
help prevent this happening, ask the patient’s doctor, and the hospital, to
clarify your status.
Myth: When it comes
to prescription drug costs, you can’t get help from anywhere but Medicaid.
Fact: Many pharmaceutical
companies have Prescription Assistance Programs (PAPs) to help qualified
patients pay for medications. Click here https://www.medicare.gov/pharmaceutical-assistance-program/Index.aspx
to see what medicines are covered under these programs. You can also check here
https://www.medicare.gov/pharmaceutical-assistance-program/state-programs.aspx to see if your state has a Pharmaceutical Assistance Program.
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