Medicare Options
Medicare
Medicare is health insurance for the following:
- Individuals age 65 or older
- Individuals under age 65 with certain disabilities
- Individuals of any age with End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) (permanent kidney failure requiring dialysis or a kidney transplant)
The different parts of Medicare help cover specific services:
- Part A (Hospital Insurance) – helps cover inpatient care in hospitals; helps cover skilled nursing facility, hospice, and home health care. Usually no monthly premium.
- Part B (Medical Insurance) – helps cover doctors’ services, hospital outpatient care, and home health care; helps cover some preventative services to help maintain health and to keep certain illnesses from getting worse. Part B is optional and is purchased from the Federal Government for a monthly premium.
- Part C (Medicare Advantage Plan) – is offered by private health care companies. Medicare Part C plans cover all services under Medicare Parts A and B, plus additional benefits such as hearing, vision and dental. These plans include prescription drug coverage (Medicare Part D) as well. Part C is optional and requires a monthly premium.
- Part D (Prescription Drug Coverage) – A prescription drug option run by Medicare-approved private insurance companies; helps cover the cost of prescription drugs; may help lower prescription drug costs and help protect against higher costs in the future.
For questions about eligibility for Medicare Part A or Part B, or to apply for Medicare, call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 or visit or call the local Social Security office. Also visit www.medicare.gov for more information or go to www.socialsecurity.gov and click on the ‘Medicare’ tab.
Medicare Supplement Plans (non-IU)
Retirees are encouraged to thoroughly consider all their medical plan options. Options outside of IU can include plans through AARP, RIPEA, private insurance companies and more. A good resource for finding supplemental plans available is www.medicare.gov.
