1-800-819-6906
9am-5pm EST, Mon-Fri

Complete this form to have a representative contact you to find Medicare Advantage, Part D Drug and Medicare Supplement Plans in your area.

*
*
*
*
I wish to subscribe to the PlanPrescriber newsletter.
* Mandatory Fields
1-800-819-6906
Our Tools
Find a Medicare Plan Find a Medigap Plan
Use our tools to find the plans that best fit your needs.

Medicare

Medicare is a government program, started in 1965, that provides health insurance for senior citizens age 65 or older as well as certain under-65 individuals with special qualifying conditions. This health insurance currently covers over 44 million people. Generally, you must meet the following conditions in order to be eligible for Medicare benefits:


  • You are a U.S. citizen age 65 years old or older, or you are a permanent legal resident in the U.S. for 5 continuous years and you are 65 years old or older



  • You are under 65 years old but you have a qualifying disability (e.g. blindness) or have a qualifying medical condition (e.g. End Stage Renal Disease or ALS)


    • Medicare is broken down into different benefit categories:


  • Part A
  • Part B
  • Part C (otherwise known as Medicare Advantage)
  • Part D


    • Briefly stated, Part A covers hospitalization expenses, Part B covers a variety of outpatient doctor and medical services, Part C provides Part A and Part B benefits through private health insurance plans known as Medicare Advantage plans, and Part D covers prescription drugs. You can receive assistance selecting a prescription drug plan, Medicare Advantage plan, or a Medigap plan by using our free tools.


    Medicare Part A and Part B are sometimes referred to as “Original Medicare” because they represent the benefit categories present at the commencement of the Medicare program. These Medicare benefits come with a variety of deductibles and cost sharing. Medicare Supplement Plans, also known as Medigap plans, are private insurance plans that cover a variety of costs not paid for by Medicare.


    Medicare Part A is free to all Medicare beneficiaries. Part A has an annual deductible of $1,024 in 2008. Medicare Part B has a monthly premium of $96.40. Medicare Part B is an optional program that an eligible individual may choose to enroll in or remain unenrolled. Medicare Part B also has an annual deductible of $135. Medicare Part C and Part D may, or may not, charge premiums depending on the private insurer offering the plan. For more information on these benefits, click on one of the following links:


  • What is Medicare Part A?
  • What is Medicare Part B?
  • What is Medicare Part C?
  • What is Medicare Part D?


    • Medicare is administered by the government’s Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). Part of the financing of the Medicare program comes from payroll taxes. Total spending on Medicare was $440 billion in 2007. This amount represented 16% of all federal spending. Medicare spending is expected to increase due to the number of “baby boomers” expected to retire in the next two decades. Medicaid, which is sometimes confused with Medicare, is a health insurance program administered by states that is intended for people with low incomes and low resources.


    The government’s official web site for the Medicare program is www.medicare.gov. This site has information on various Medicare programs as well as detailed eligibility criteria. Another site, mymedicare.gov, also contains information on Medicare programs.