Reliable Medicare Plans in Alton, IL

You may have health insurance coverage under a group health plan based on your or your spouse’s current employment. In this case, you may not need to apply for Medicare Part B at age 65. You may qualify for a Special Enrollment Period and be able to delay signing up for Medicare Part B without a late enrollment penalty. Coverage based on current employment does not include COBRA (Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act), Retiree health coverage VA (Veterans Affairs) health coverage, or Individual health coverage (such as through the Health Insurance Marketplace). Find out how your coverage works with Medicare at Medicare.gov or contact your employer or union benefits administrator.

States must help pay some of the Medicare costs for beneficiaries who have limited income and resources. Under these programs, states help pay for Medicare Part A and Part B premiums, deductibles and copayments. Some of these programs also pay additional Medicare expenses for elderly and disabled people. To find out if you are eligible for state help, contact your local medical assistance office. A representative can tell you the specific requirements and help you apply. For more information see (Medicare.gov).

Some people with higher income may pay a larger percentage of their monthly Medicare Part B and prescription drug costs based on their income. We call the additional amount the income-related monthly adjustment amount. Visit Medicare Premiums: Rules For Higher-Income Beneficiaries to see if the adjustment amount applies to you.

Medicare is a health insurance program for people age 65 or older. Some younger people are eligible for Medicare including people with disabilities, permanent kidney failure and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (Lou Gehrig’s disease or ALS). Medicare helps with the cost of health care, but it does not cover all medical expenses or the cost of most long-term care.

Original Medicare included:

Part A—Hospital insurance helps pay for inpatient care in a hospital or limited time at a skilled nursing facility (following a hospital stay), and some home health care and hospice care.

Part B—Medical insurance helps pay for doctors’ services and many other medical services and supplies that the hospital insurance does not cover.

Other parts of Medicare are:

Part C—Medicare Advantage plans are offered by private companies and approved by Medicare. These plans generally help you pay the medical costs not covered by Original Medicare.

Part D—Prescription drug coverage helps pay for prescribed medications.

TRICARE is the health care program serving military service members, retirees, their families and survivors worldwide. 
More Information: TRICARE and Recent Changes In The Law

Signing up for Medicare Part B may provide you with additional service and location options.

If you don’t sign up for Part B when you are first eligible, you may have to wait to sign up, which will delay your coverage, and you may also have to pay a late enrollment penalty for as long as you have Medicare Part B.

Visit Medicare.gov ​for more information.