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Sunday, July 8, 2018

By Ronald Rogers


If you are closing in on retirement age, and getting ready to leave your job for a life of leisure, one of the things you need to know is how healthcare works for seniors. Once you retire, you won't have the health insurance provided by your employer anymore. You will probably depend on the government programs in place to cover doctor bills and hospital stays. Seniors want Medicare questions answered that on their minds. Some of the most frequent are outlined below.

People want to know if they will qualify for this healthcare plan. You qualify once you reach the age of sixty-five if you are a U. S. Citizen and you worked for at least ten years in jobs that were covered by the program. If you retired at sixty-two and are receiving Social Security, you will automatically receive benefits once you reach sixty-five. The program is available for those younger than sixty-five who have been receiving disability benefits for at least two years.

Seniors ask about what is needed to prepare for the benefits. The process is pretty automated, for those who worked ten or more years, when they reach sixty-five. You will get a card in the mail for Part A and Part B approximately three months before you turn sixty-five. There's no cost for Part A. Part B is not free. If you decide to turn down Part B, you must contact the agency so they will know. You are covered once you reach sixty-five.

Some people are confused about the difference between Medicaid and Medicare. Medicare is a program for retired Americans who worked and had FICA taxes taken out of their payroll checks. Medicaid is based on income. It is for low income individuals who have no ability to pay for healthcare. It is funded by the federal government and the individual states. Your eligibility depends on standards mandated by the state in which you live.

Most people know the program won't cover all health issues. The majority aren't sure what is and is not covered. The program won't pay for dental or vision care, custodial care, or hearing aids. It doesn't pay for acupuncture, cosmetic surgery, or routine orthopedic care. It won't pay for dentures.

Alzheimer's care is covered as a medical necessity under the program. If will pay for a portion of psychological and physical care. Most aspects of hospice care are covered under the program. The benefits cover wellness checks, bone density tests, alcohol counseling, flu shots, cardiovascular disease screening, mammograms, and prostate cancer screenings.

Seniors can be anxious about which doctors accept patients who rely on this program. Almost all doctors see patients who have the fee-for-service benefits. There are some doctors who choose to opt out of treating patients who rely on Part B. To opt out they have to file paperwork with the government. These doctors tend to be specialists who will only treat patients on a private pay basis.

Healthcare is a big concern for seniors. It's important to know what the government will, and will not, provide in the way of benefits. The best way to get answers to your questions, is to call the government's toll free numbers.




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