Medicare
What is Medicare?
Medicare is health insurance for people who are:
- 65 and older,
- under 65 with certain disabilities, and
- all ages with severe kidney disease (permanent kidney failure that requires dialysis or a kidney transplant).
What benefits are available through Medicare?
Medicare has four parts:
- Part A (Hospital Insurance) helps cover your hospital care. Part A may also help cover nursing home, hospice, and home health care.
- Part B (Medical Insurance) helps cover doctor’s services if you need them for medical reasons. Outpatient care and some preventive services to keep you healthy may also be covered.
- Part C (Medicare Advantage Plans) helps pay for medical care through Medicare approved private insurance companies. Part C combines Part A, Part B, and, sometimes, Part D (prescription drug coverage). Costs and covered services vary.
- Part D (Medicare Prescription Drug Plans) helps cover prescription drugs through companies approved by Medicare. Costs and covered services vary.
What costs are associated with Medicare?
- Part A - Most people do not pay for Part A coverage because they or a spouse have worked enough to qualify. Otherwise there may be a fee.
- Part B – monthly fee
- Part C and D- costs vary depending on the plan
How do I apply for Medicare ?
To apply for Medicare call the Social Security Administration (1-800-772-1213). TTY users should call 1-800-325-0778. You can also visit the Social Security website.
Where can I find out more ?
To find out more about Medicare and to compare prescription drug plans:
- Call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). TTY users should call 1-877-486-2048.
- Visit Medicare on the web.
- To find a plan that’s right for you call your local Area Agency on Aging (AAA). To find the AAA where you live visit the VirginiaNavigator website and select “Area Agency on Aging” and put in your zip code.
For questions or complaints about the quality of care for a Medicare-covered service, call your local Quality Improvement Organization. Visit Medicare on the web, or call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) to get the local telephone number. TTD users should call 1-877-486-2048.
