One of the best ways to prepare for Medicare is to understand what you’re getting into.
Enroll
Are you aware of how enrollment works? Once you become eligible for Medicare benefits, you can enroll at www.socialsecurity.gov, call Social Security, or visit your local Social security office.
Prepare Medical History
During your first year of Medicare is the “Welcome to Medicare” doctor visit. You will be asked about your family medical history, laboratory tests will be taken, and you will be screened for preventable illnesses. During this visit, you may also have the option to fill out documentation equivalent to your final wishes in the event of a medical emergency. Be prepared to be thoroughly understood.
Assess Your Coverage Needs
If you have chronic health issues, you may need more comprehensive coverage. Dental, vision, and hearing exams are not covered by Medicare Part A and Part B (Original Medicare). Neither are dentures, eyeglasses, contact lenses, or hearing aids. If you find yourself needing coverage for any of those areas, you may want to consider finding a Medicare Advantage plan with those coverage options.
Many people take medications daily. Another fault of Original Medicare is that it does not have prescription drug coverage. If you need prescription drug coverage, you can sign up for a Part D Medicare Prescription Drug Plan or pick a Medicare Advantage plan that has prescription drug coverage.
Know What’s Covered
Medicare Part A is hospital insurance, covering inpatient care in a hospital, skilled nursing facility care, nursing home care, hospice care, and home health care. Medicare Part B is medical insurance, covering medically necessary and preventive services. These include coverage for clinical research; ambulance services; durable medical equipment; mental health inpatient, outpatient, and partial hospitalization; and limited outpatient prescription drugs.
Research Coverage Options
One of the things that make Medicare intimidating is that there is an abundance of coverage options available. To be certain you have the right coverage for your circumstances, you can consult the experts at Hitcho Insurance.
