Medicare is health insurance coverage for individuals who are age 65 or older. The federal government manages the program and designed it to protect the elderly. The program is available in every state, including New York.
Types
According to New York Medicare, the original Medicare program offers two types of coverage: hospital and medical, referred to as Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B. Medicare rules allow most people to automatically receive Part A when they turn 65. Recent program rules have added Part C, Part D and premium plans.
Coverage
Medicare Part A covers inpatient services received in hospitals. The program also covers home health care services and hospice care. However, it does not cover long-term care. Medicare Part B covers an individual's outpatient care and doctor visits. Part B often covers services not available in part A, such as physical therapy.
Medigap
Sometimes people encounter expenses that are not covered by the Medicare program. In this case, New York law permits residents to purchase a Medigap policy, which covers the "gaps" in expenses that Medicare doesn't cover.
Eligibility Rules
To be eligible for Medicare, an individual must have entered the United States legally and lived in the country for at least five years. There is no cost to Part A if a person is over age 65. If a person is interested in Part B he or she must make monthly payments or pay premiums for coverage.
Considerations
According to the New York State Office for the Aging, complaints about aggressive and improper marketing of Medicare plans have increased. The state urges individuals to contact the State Insurance Department if they encounter a Medicare service provider that uses a misleading, aggressive or illegal sales pitch.
Tags: Medicare Part, According York, expenses that, Medicare Part covers, Medicare Part Medicare, Medicare program