Friday, May 27, 2011

Is Medicare A, B, and D enough health insurance? Do you need a $200+/month supplement to cover a heart bypass?

Is Medicare A, B, and D enough health insurance? Do you need a $200+/month supplement to cover a possible triple bypass at age 71? How much will a triple bypass cost? What much will come out of my savings?
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You need to talk to a local agent . . . but Medicare A alone certainly isn't enough. Medicare Parts A, B, C and D Medicare is divided into four parts: Part A, Part B, Part C and Part D. Part A: Hospital Insurance Part A pays for most inpatient hospital care, some inpatient skilled nursing home care, some home health care, and hospice care. You are automatically enrolled in Part A when you join Medicare. If you qualify automatically for Medicare (through your own or your spouse's Social Security record), you do not have to pay a monthly premium for Part A coverage. If you have 30-39 Medicare-covered employment quarters, you may buy Part A for $216 per month (2006). If you have fewer than 30 quarters, you may purchase Part A for $393 per month (2006). Part B: Medical Insurance Part B pays for doctors' services, outpatient hospital care, outpatient physical and speech therapy, some home health care, ambulance services, and some medical equipment and supplies. Part B coverage is voluntary. The monthly premium ($96.40 in 2009) is automatically deducted from your Social Security check every month. If you don't receive Social Security benefits, you will be billed for Part B. Medicare Advantage Plans, also called Medicare Part C (combines A, B and D into an HMO or a PPO with a private insurer) Part C governs the way Medicare benefits are provided by companies that contract with the Medicare program. Someone with Medicare who enrolls in a Medicare Advantage plan generally gets all of their medical services through that plan. Health Maintenance Organizations (HMO's) and Preferred Provider Organizations (PPOs) contract with Medicare to provide Medicare benefits in a managed care setting, that since 2006 includes the new Medicare Part D benefit in all but a few HMOs. People enrolling in one of those plans without Part D benefits would need to buy separate coverage for that benefit. You must pay the Part B premium in order to qualify for a Medicare Advantage Plan. Many Seniors choose to remain with the traditional Medicare A and B arrangement (80/20, and MediGap), and sign up for a stand-alone Part D Plan. Part D: Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage (Stand-Alone Plans with a private insurer) Part D offers some help with prescription drugs. The coverage is voluntary and the monthly premium varies depending on how much coverage you have.
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