5 Interesting Facts About Medicare You Should Know

by Natalie Stefan

President Lyndon B. Johnson signed Medicare into law some 56 years ago. A lot has changed in that time, and there are some facts that Americans may not be aware of the health insurance program.

  1. Claiming Social Security does not mean Medicare will automatically start. Check your enrollment period so you don’t miss out on important dates!
  2. Medicare insurance isn’t entirely free. Hospital insurance is covered at no additional cost by Medicare; however, the deductible is $1,364 for each benefit period with a $0 for the first 60 days of a benefit period, but then goes up from there.
  3. You don’t have to enroll in Medicare just because you turned 65, but you may want to. Check what coverage you have with your employer so you don’t get a lapse in insurance coverage! 
  4. Planning to travel on retirement? Medicare won’t travel with you. Medicare Part A and Part B are not applicable outside of the U.S, so consider getting travel medical insurance, or a Medigap Plan that provides foreign travel emergency health care coverage.
  5. Long-term care is not included in Medicare coverage. Long-term care only covers a limited number of days, but if seniors want more coverage, a supplemental plan is needed.

With all the information out there it’s hard to know where to start. That’s where Health Plans of America comes in. They do all the hard work for you by offering information and resources to help you make informed decisions. Don’t wait! Connect with a licensed Medicare specialist in your area today.

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