What is Medicare?
Medicare is the federal health insurance program for:
• People 65 or older
• Certain younger people with disabilities
• People with End-Stage Renal Disease (permanent kidney failure requiring dialysis or a transplant) Medicare helps cover specific services such as inpatient hospital care, skilled nursing facility care, hospice care, home health care, services from doctors and other health care providers, outpatient care, durable medical equipment, and preventive services.
It can also help cover the cost of prescription drugs, including many recommended shots or vaccines.
Medicare Advantage
A Medicare-approved plan from a private company that offers an alternative to Original Medicare for your health and drug coverage.
These plans bundle together your coverage and may include extra benefits that Original Medicare doesn’t cover — like vision, hearing, and dental.
Medicaid
Medicaid is a joint federal and state program that helps with medical costs for people with limited income and resources.
In many cases, your state Medicaid program will pay your premiums. If your Medicaid program doesn’t, you may be able to get help through a Medicare Savings Program.
Enrollment and Coverage Coordination
When you have other insurance (like group health plan or Medicaid) and Medicare, there are rules for whether Medicare or your other coverage pays first.
- If you have Medicaid, Medicare pays first.
- If you have retiree health coverage, Medicare pays first.
• If you have group health coverage based on current employment, your employer plan may pay first depending on company size.
