Take a close look at your circumstances and needs as you plan
for Medicare
by Dena Bunis, AARP,
July 1, 2019
En español |
Viewing your Medicare coverage decisions through the following four categories
can help you zero in on which plans will work best for you.
·
Do you want to keep
your doctors or are you open to changing? Original Medicare allows you to
maintain your current provider – if they accept Medicare – while Medicare
Advantage relies on specific networks of doctors and hospitals.
·
Do you have a
preexisting condition? Medicare will cover your preexisting conditions,
whether you choose Original Medicare or Medicare Advantage.
·
Are you taking
medications regularly? If so, you’ll want to make sure the prescription
drug plan you’re considering covers all your medicines.
·
Are you willing to
change pharmacies? Some prescription plans have preferred pharmacies where
you’ll pay less for your medicines.
·
Do you expect to
travel around the country or abroad? Original Medicare will cover you
wherever you live but Medicare generally does not provide coverage outside the
United States.
·
Do you plan to spend
more time at your second home? You may not be able to find a Medicare
Advantage plan that covers you in both your primary residence and a vacation
home.
·
Do you live in a rural
area? The availability of Medicare Advantage plans is generally more
limited in rural areas.
·
Are you worried about
what you can afford, from premiums to out-of-pocket expenses such as copays,
coinsurance and deductibles? When considering whether to select Original Medicare
or Medicare Advantage, you’ll want to take into account all these costs and
consult the federal government’s out-of-pocket cost calculator, which can help you
compare your estimated out-of-pocket expenses.
·
Are you eligible for
Medicaid or other assistance programs? Medicaid helps low-income Americans
get medical coverage and four Medicare Savings Programs also help beneficiaries
who cannot afford their out-of-pocket Medicare costs.
·
Do you have health
insurance through your job or are you covered by your spouse’s plan? If
so, you may be able to delay enrolling in Medicare.
·
Are you insured
through the Affordable Care Act individual marketplace, a retiree health plan,
military plan or COBRA (the temporary coverage that people can buy when they
leave a job)? If so, you probably still need to enroll in Medicare as soon as
you turn 65.
Our guide can help you fully answer these
questions and navigate the Medicare landscape so that you can make the best
choices for your health, your lifestyle and your pocketbook.
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