Medicare is a federal health insurance provider for citizens over the age of 65. It is one of the most utilized federal programs in the country, providing healthcare coverage for millions of retirees every year. Medicare also provides coverage for certain individuals under the age of 65 provided they meet certain criteria. The end of March this year means that a new Medicare deadline is fast approaching for certain beneficiaries of the program.
What does Medicare cover for beneficiaries?
As one of the largest federal government programs, Medicare has a variety of different plans available for beneficiaries, each tailored slightly differently for your specific healthcare needs. If you are a Social Security beneficiary, you are automatically enrolled in the Original Medicare plan. This plan generally covers inpatient care in hospitals as well as partial costs associated with hospice care. It does not cover long-term care in nursing facilities.
The plan also helps to cover medically necessary doctor visits and services as well as relevant outpatient care, home health services, durable medical equipment, and mental health services. It also covers certain outpatient prescription medication costs and some outpatient medical services. The plan also covers certain preventative services for beneficiaries.
Private insurance companies also cover specific parts of Medicare plans, such as the Medicare Advantage Plan. Under the Medicare Advantage Plan, you receive all the benefits under the Original Plan, but also additional benefits such as prescription drugs and it covers costs associated with vision, hearing, and dental health care providers.
New deadline for Medicare Advantage beneficiaries
According to Medicare’s official website, a new deadline is fast approaching, specifically for members who are part of the Medicare Advantage plan. Beneficiaries currently have an open window between January 1 and March 31 to make any changes and updates to their current Advantage plan. They can also use this period to go back to the Original Medicare plan. This period is known as the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period.
It is important to remember that this period is only open for beneficiaries already on the Advantage plan. Before the deadline arrives next week, if you are a beneficiary of the Advantage Plan, now would be a good time to evaluate your current medical needs and healthcare coverage to ensure that you have suitable healthcare coverage for your current stage of life. Always remember that is is better to be overprepared on medical coverage plans than underprepared.
Now is also the perfect time for you to make updates to your Medicare Advantage plan if your medical needs have rapidly changed in the past year. Medical problems can come unexpectantly, forcing you to seek new coverage benefits that can support you. By reviewing your choices now during this open enrollment period, you can ensure that you have the most comprehensive cover going forward, ensuring you remain adequately supported.
Additional benefits if you are a veteran
When it comes to healthcare, many veterans and their families may not know that they are entitled to specific medical benefits that other civilians do not have access to. The US Department of Veteran Affairs is responsible for overseeing critical medical coverage for former and active-duty service men and women. These medical benefits are particularly important for veterans who have a service-related disability and now need more comprehensive medical attention than before.
Recently, the new PACT Act was introduced. The act expands medical coverage for veterans who have specifically been exposed to toxic substances. It is the largest expansion of veteran healthcare ever seen and is expected to impact millions of veterans who have been exposed to toxic substances while in service.