medicare Archives - Senior Care Central

Guest Blog: 5 Reasons It Is Important for Senior Citizens to Have a Medicare Plan

As we age, it becomes increasingly important to have a solid healthcare plan in place. Medicare is one of the most popular healthcare plans available for senior citizens, and there are many reasons why it is important to have coverage through this program. For instance, Medicare can help to cover the costs of hospital stays, doctor visits, and even prescription medications. Another reason Medicare is so important is that it can help fill in the gaps left by other types of insurance coverage. For example, if you have private health insurance, some services may not be covered by your plan. Medicare can help to cover those costs so that you don’t have to worry about them. Here is a look at five reasons senior citizens need a Medicare plan.

1. Cover the Costs of Hospital Stays

Senior citizens are prone to a variety of health issues that can require hospitalization. These issues include strokes and heart attacks, broken bones, and pneumonia. Medicare can help to cover the costs of these hospital stays, which can be very expensive. If you go without coverage, you may have a large hospital bill you will be responsible for paying. In cases where a senior citizen is sent to a nursing home after a hospital stay, Medicare can also help cover the stay’s costs.

2. Cover the Costs of Doctor Visits

As we age, we tend to see the doctor more often. This is due to various health issues that can come up as we get older. For instance, we may need to see the doctor for routine checkups and more serious problems. Medicare can help cover the costs of these doctor visits, saving senior citizens a lot of money. In addition, Medicare can also help to cover the costs of preventive care, such as mammograms and screenings for colon cancer. You don’t want to go without this coverage, as it could cost you a lot of money in the long run.

3. Cover the Costs of Prescription Medications

Another important reason senior citizens need to have a Medicare plan is that it can help cover the costs of prescription medications. As we age, we tend to take more prescription medications than we did when we were younger. This is due to various health issues that can come up as we get older. Medicare can help cover the costs of these medications, saving senior citizens a lot of money. Medicare can also help cover the costs of generic medications, which can be even cheaper than brand-name medications. However, it is important to note that Medicare covers not all drugs. You will need to check with your specific plan to see what is and is not covered.

4. Cover the Costs of Vision and Dental Care

Another important reason senior citizens need to have a Medicare plan is that it can help cover the costs of vision and dental care. Senior citizens need to see the dentist more often than they did younger. This is due to various health issues that can come up as we get older. Additionally, senior citizens often need glasses or contact lenses as they age. Medicare can help cover the costs of these vision and dental care services, saving senior citizens a lot of money.

5. Cover the Costs of Hospice and Home Health Care

Finally, another important reason senior citizens need to have a Medicare plan is that it can help cover the costs of hospice and home health care. Omaha Insurance solutions understand that the end of life can be difficult for individuals and their families and they make it easier to pick a medicare plan that will help with any cost there might be. Insurance companies offer hospice and home healthcare coverage through different medicare plans. Hospice care can help to provide comfort and support for those nearing the end of their life. Home health care can help provide care for those unable to care for themselves. This coverage can be very beneficial for the individual and their family.

Conclusion

There are many reasons why senior citizens need to have a Medicare plan. If you or someone you know is a senior citizen, it is important to ensure that you have a plan. Omaha Insurance can help you to find the right Medicare plan for your needs.

Guest Blog: What Colorado Residents Need to Know About Medicare in Their State

Despite impacting millions of people across the country, not many Americans are familiar with how the Medicare system functions.

Medicare even varies within each of the fifty states, making it more difficult to completely understand. In order to ensure that each citizen is getting their maximum benefits from this program, it is important that people become educated on the topic.
The more that people know about Medicare, the more they benefit. Here are some things that residents need to know about Medicare in Colorado.

Colorado Medicare Options

Medicare benefits are divided into different categories in Colorado. Residents can apply for Part A, B, D and supplement plans.
Medicare Part A covers care taking place in a hospital, and Part B focuses primarily on physician care. Colorado even has some Advantage Plans that are offered by private insurance companies.

Part D provides prescription medicine coverage for those already enrolled in Parts A and B. Part D is provided through some private insurance companies previously approved by Medicare.

Applying for Medicare

The process of applying for Medicare is the same in Colorado as all other states. To be eligible, an individual must be either a citizen of the United States or have held permanent residency for at least five years.

All individuals over the age of 65 are allowed to apply for Medicare coverage. Medicare in Colorado also covers those with disabilities who are under age 65.

Medicare Deductibles

Each Medicare Plan does have deductible costs to consider. Plan A has a deductible of $1,340 for each of the benefit periods. Medicare Plan B has a lower deductible of $183.

After paying the deductible, Plan B recipients are responsible for covering 20% of any amount approved by Medicare. Colorado charges a $405 yearly deductible for the Plan D Prescription Plan.

Medicare Supplement Plans (Medigap)

The Original Medicare plan still leaves a lot to be covered by an individual. Deductibles can quickly add up even with all the benefits provided by Medicare. This is why Colorado offers some Medicare Supplement Plans like Medigap.

Medigap works similar to Medicare, but it works to cover all of the costs that Medicare doesn’t. Out of pocket expenses such as coinsurance, copayments and deductibles are all covered by a Medigap plan.

These plans are offered through private insurance companies, similar to some Medicare Supplement Plans.