| A summary of seniors medicare benefits for 2010: | | | | many national drugs stores offer very inexpensive |
| Considering the fact that most seniors live on a very | | | | drug programs to seniors. |
| tight budget, what medicare will and will not pay for | | | | Supplemental Coverage: A number of private carriers |
| medical cost is a major concern for most seniors. | | | | offer Medicare supplemental coverage. Supplemental |
| Unfortunately, the government is on a yearly basis | | | | meaning coverage that fills in the gaps that Medicare |
| increasing the medicare premiums and reducing the | | | | does not pay under Part A and Part B above. In |
| benefits medicare will pay. This brief article will outline in | | | | others words, supplemental payments for the co-pays |
| general the present state of medicare and what | | | | and deductibles previously discussed regarding Part A |
| medicare will and will not pay in 2010. The article will | | | | and Part B that the senior has to pay out of pocket. |
| also discuss briefly the various alternatives available to | | | | Supplemental Coverage VS Part C coverage. As |
| seniors to fill in the gaps on what medicare does not | | | | previously stated, Part C coverage by a private carrier |
| pay and expects the senior to pay out of pocket. | | | | is administered much like group health with co-pays, |
| Medicare Abc's: 2010 | | | | deductibles and a selection of their doctors. |
| Medicare has four areas of coverage: ABCD | | | | Supplemental plans vary in coverage and the yearly |
| Medicare Part A: Hospital Expenses.. If a senior is in | | | | supplement premium is based on the degree of |
| the hospital for 24 hours medicare will pay for all | | | | coverage.Ther are supplemental plans that pay all of |
| hospital cost for the first 60 days after a $1100 | | | | the cost medicare does not pay under Part A and B |
| deductible. ( note, this deductible is reinstated every 60 | | | | to plans that may have a $2000 yearly deductible. The |
| days for subsequent admissions or possibly six times | | | | advantage of the supplemental plans is that you have |
| a year). | | | | control over which doctors you go to,anytime and |
| 61-90 days- The senior has to pay $275 per day | | | | anywhere. Of course the less you have to pay for |
| 91-150 days- The senior pays $550 per day | | | | coverage of the un-paid medicare cost the more your |
| After 150 days- The senior pays 100% | | | | supplemental premiums will cost. Keep in mind that |
| Medicare Part B: Doctor's cost( visits-surgery), including | | | | regardless of the cost for supplemental coverage, the |
| lab test, xrays,etc. | | | | premiums are far less than traditional non-medicare |
| If already enrolled in Part B, the monthly cost for Part B | | | | major medical coverage, and with better benefits. |
| is $96.40, usually deducted from your social security | | | | Also, regardless of your pre-existing medical conditions |
| check. If a new enrollee in 2010 the cost is $110 per | | | | most people have the opportunity to qualify for |
| month..And increases if your income exceeds $82,000 | | | | medicare supplements, so if you are turning 65 be sure |
| Under part B medicare will pay only 80% of the cost | | | | to discuss the various supplemental medicare plans |
| and the senior pays the additional 20%. | | | | available and enroll when the pre-existing conditions |
| Part C: Under Part C the senior can enroll with one of | | | | are not a factor. |
| many carriers that will help fill in the gaps where | | | | Obviously, this has been a very general overview of |
| medicare does not pay. It is called Medicare C | | | | Medicare 2010, but hopefully outlines the medicare |
| Advantage Plan. The premiums are relatively low or | | | | coverage and supplemental coverages available. And |
| nothing. However, under a Med C you can expect | | | | keep in mind that medical coverage is so critical to any |
| deductibles, co-pays, waiting periods,etc. Also Med C | | | | senior that it is imperative to consult with an insurance |
| plans are run like group health plans where the carrier | | | | professional in your state to know what alternatives |
| dictates the doctors, the place, the time etc of your | | | | are best for you. |
| medical care much like PPO's and HMO'S. | | | | If you have any questions about this issue please |
| Part D: Prescription coverage. Briefly, the premium for | | | | contact me at my website and I will direct you to an |
| Part D coverage is relatively inexpensive. However, | | | | insurance professional in your area. Hopefuly this brief |
| unless you are taking some very expensive drugs, | | | | summary has been helpful and beneficial. |