What is Original Medicare? What You Must Know Before You Apply

What is Original Medicare, who qualifies, and moreyou will be enrolled into Medicare Part A and Part
importantly, are you eligible for Medicare? In theB automatically. The way this works is that
United States, health insurance might be brokenapproximately 3 months before you turn 65, you
down into two general categories--Medicare andwill receive you initial enrollment packet that will
non-Medicare private health coverage. Medicare isinclude your Medicare card. If you want to enroll
the government run, Federal health insuranceinto both A and B, sign your card and keep it in a
program for people 65 years or older, disabledsafe place. If you want to refuse Part B, simply
people who have worked the minimum number ofsign the back of the card form that you receive,
years to qualify for Social Security Benefits, andput an "x" in the box that says you are refusing
people of any age who have End Stage RenalPart B, and send the card back using the return
Disease (ESRD). All other insurance, with theenvelope. After the SSA receives and notes your
exception of the Federal Employees Healthdecision, you will receive a new card listing your
Benefits program and Mail Handlers is privateenrollment into Part A, only.
insurance.If you are approaching age 65 but not yet
Although Medicare is now considered to have 4receiving Social Security Benefits, the procedure is
parts, Original Medicare is most often associateda little different. In this case, you need to initiate
with what is called Part A and Part B. Part Athe enrollment process your self by submitting an
covers hospital inpatient, skilled nursing facility, andapplication with Social Security. You can do this
home healthcare benefits. Part B covers doctors'through your local office, or call the number given
services, medical supplies and equipment, andabove for more information. In either case,
hospital outpatient care. Part B also covers manywhether you are already receiving SSA benefits
other services such as clinical laboratory services,or not, you have a 7 month initial enrollment
imaging, ambulatory surgery, cancer treatments,period to sign up. This includes the 3 months
preventive services, and much more.before the month of your birthday, the month of
So, how do you know if you eligible for Medicare?your birthday, and the three months immediately
If you are a U.S. citizen or naturalized citizen andfollowing the month in which you turn 65.
you fall into one of the categories above (65 orTo wrap up, Medicare enrollment is done through
over, disabled, or have ESRD), you may be eligiblethe Social Security Administration. If you are
for Medicare benefits. If you are unsure, the mostalready receiving Social Security, railroad, civil
certain way to determine your eligibility is to callservice, or disability benefits, your enrollment will
the Social Security Administration (SSA) atoccur automatically. If not, and your are within 3
1-800-772-1213 between the hours of 7am andmonths of your 65 birthday, contact the SSA in
7pm (in any time zone).order to submit an application to begin receiving
However, if you are already receiving Socialyour benefits.
Security Benefits prior to your 65th birthday, then