Medicare Plans

Medicare Plans

Medicare is the United States federal health insurance program enacted in 1966 to cover hospital (Part A) and medical (Part B) expenses for beneficiaries. Over the years, Medicare has expanded its program to offer even broader coverage, often referred to as Medicare Part C and Medicare Part D coverage. In addition, Medicare coverage is delivered not only by the federal government but also by private insurance companies that are contracted by Medicare to provide benefits to beneficiaries. With so many connecting parts and providers of coverage, choosing your Medicare coverage may seem a daunting exercise. To help you, Viccoll Insurance is here to get you through the process.

You can choose a Medicare Advantage or Medicare Supplement plan to help cover what Original Medicare (Parts A and B) does not. The first step is figuring out what type of Medicare plan best meets your health needs and budget.

Understand Your Medicare Plan Options

– Medicare Advantage Plans

Medicare Advantage plans include coverage for dental, vision, and hearing, and usually prescription drugs. Special Needs plans are Medicare Advantage plans with extra benefits for certain needs.

– Medicare Supplement Plans

Medicare Supplement plans, also called Medigap, help cover deductibles, coinsurance, and copays that Original Medicare doesn’t cover. With a Medicare Supplement plan, you can see any doctor who accepts Medicare patients. You can also purchase a prescription drug plan to help pay for medications.  

– Medicare Part D

If you only need prescription drug coverage, Viccoll offers standalone Part D plans. You can also purchase a prescription plan in addition to your Medicare Supplement plan, but remember, most Medicare Advantage plans already cover medications.

– Medicare Dental And Vision Plans

The majority of Medicare Advantage plans include dental, vision, and hearing care. If you have a Medicare Supplement plan, you may want to consider purchasing a dental and vision combo plan.

Do You Qualify For A Special Enrollment Period?

You may need a new health plan due to certain life circumstances, like a move or a recent diagnosis. The Special Enrollment Period is an additional window of time to apply, add, drop, or change your Medicare coverage outside of enrollment periods.

What are the requirements for Medicare plan options?

Original Medicare is a federal program offered to individuals when they reach age 65, as well as certain people under 65 with disabilities or certain conditions, such as end-stage renal disease (permanent kidney failure requiring continuous dialysis treatment or a kidney transplant) or Lou Gehrig’s disease (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis). Regardless of your health status or income level, you can get Original Medicare if you are a citizen or permanent, a legal resident of the United States for at least five continuous years and meet the requirements for eligibility. The rules for Original Medicare in Texas are the same rules as those across the country. You can get personalized information about your eligibility and enrollment in Original Medicare from your local Social Security Office.