59 / 78
T H E C A R E G I V E R ’ S T O O L K I T
59
CHAPTER 5
INFORMATION & RESOURCES
Medicare
Medicare has:
Part A Hospital Insurance:
Most
SHRSOH GR QRW SD\ D PRQWKO\ 3DUW $ SUHPLXP
because they or a spouse has 40 or more
quarters of Medicare-covered employment.
0HGLFDUH 3DUW $ +RVSLWDO ,QVXUDQFH KHOSV
cover inpatient hospital care, including
critical access hospitals, and skilled nursing
facilities (not custodial or long-term care).
It also helps cover hospice care and some
KRPH KHDOWK FDUH %HQHILFLDULHV PXVW PHHW
certain conditions to get these benefits.
Part B Medical Insurance:
Most
SHRSOH SD\ D PRQWKO\ SUHPLXP IRU 3DUW %
0HGLFDUH 3DUW % 0HGLFDO ,QVXUDQFH KHOSV
cover doctors’ services and outpatient care.
It also covers some medical services that
3DUW $ GRHV QRW FRYHU VXFK DV VRPH VHUYLFHV
for physical and occupational therapists and
VRPH KRPH KHDOWK FDUH 3DUW % KHOSV SD\
for these covered services and supplies
when they are medically necessary.
Prescription Drug Coverage:
Most
people will pay a monthly premium for this
coverage. Starting January 1, 2006, new
Medicare prescription drug coverage became
available to everyone with Medicare. Everyone
with Medicare can get this coverage that may
help lower prescription drug costs and help
protect against higher costs in the future.
Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage is
insurance. Private companies provide the
FRYHUDJH %HQHILFLDULHV FKRRVH WKH GUXJ
plan and pay a monthly premium. Like other
insurance, if beneficiaries decide not to enroll
in a drug plan when they are first eligible, they
may pay a penalty if they choose to join later.
Source: www.medicare.gov.
Medicare is a health insurance program for:
•
people age 65 or older,
•
people under age 65 with certain
disabilities, and
•
people of all ages with End-Stage Renal
Disease (permanent kidney failure requiring
dialysis or a kidney transplant)
Harford County Department
of Community Services
2I¿FH 2Q $JLQJ