Medicare
Medicare is a health insurance program for people 65 years of age and older, some disabled people under 65 years of age and people with End-Stage Renal Disease (permanent kidney failure treated with dialysis or a transplant). Medicare has two parts to its insurance: Part A and Part B.
Is It For Me?
You are eligible for Medicare if you are 65 years old and a citizen or permanent resident of the United States.
You might also qualify for coverage if you are a younger person with a disability or with chronic kidney disease. If you are disabled due to a psychiatric disability, or you are over 65, Medicare coverage can help you and/or your family pay for psychiatric hospital inpatient stays and for outpatient mental health treatment.
You can get Part A (hospital and skilled nursing home insurance) at age 65 without having to pay premiums if:
- You have 10 or more years (40 quarters) Medicare-covered employment, which is defined as being employed while paying Medicare taxes
- You are already receiving retirement benefits from Social Security or the Railroad Retirement Board
- You are eligible to receive Social Security or Railroad benefits but have not yet filed for them
- You or your spouse had Medicare-covered government employment
If you are under 65, you can get Part A without having to pay premiums if:
- You have received Social Security or Railroad Retirement Board disability benefit for 24 months
- You are a kidney dialysis or kidney transplant patient
While you do not have to pay a premium for Part A if you meet one of those conditions, you must pay for Part B (medical insurance) if you want it. Most beneficiaries will continue to pay the same $96.40 premium ammount in 2010. Beneficiaries who currently have the Social Security Administration (SSA) withhold their Part B premium and have incomes of $85,000 or less (or $170,000 or less for joint filers) will not have an increase in their Part B premium in 2010.
For all others, the standard Medicare Part B monthly premium will be $110.50 in 2010, which is a 15% increase over the 2009 premium. The Medicare Part B premium is increasing in 2010 due to possible increases in Part B costs. If your income is above $85,000 (single) or $170,000 (married couple), then your Medicare Part B premium may be higher than $110,50 per month.
If you are 65 or older and you are not disabled, not eligible for free Part A, or do not have kidney dialysis or do not have a kidney transplant, your monthly premium for Part A Medicare in 2008 will be up to $423 per month.
What Is The Benefit?
Is It For Me?
You are eligible for Medicare if you are 65 years old and a citizen or permanent resident of the United States.
You might also qualify for coverage if you are a younger person with a disability or with chronic kidney disease. If you are disabled due to a psychiatric disability, or you are over 65, Medicare coverage can help you and/or your family pay for psychiatric hospital inpatient stays and for outpatient mental health treatment.
You can get Part A (hospital and skilled nursing home insurance) at age 65 without having to pay premiums if:
- You have 10 or more years (40 quarters) Medicare-covered employment, which is defined as being employed while paying Medicare taxes
- You are already receiving retirement benefits from Social Security or the Railroad Retirement Board
- You are eligible to receive Social Security or Railroad benefits but have not yet filed for them
- You or your spouse had Medicare-covered government employment
If you are under 65, you can get Part A without having to pay premiums if:
- You have received Social Security or Railroad Retirement Board disability benefit for 24 months
- You are a kidney dialysis or kidney transplant patient
For detailed information about benefits, visit the Medicare web site at http://www.medicare.gov/navigation/medicare-basics/medicare-basics-overview.aspx
What Is The Benefit?
Part A (Hospital and Skilled Nursing Home Insurance):
Helps cover inpatient care in hospitals
Helps cover skilled nursing facility, hospice, and home health care
Part B (Medical Insurance):
Helps cover doctors' and other health care providers' services, outpatient care, durable medical equipment, and home health care
Helps cover some preventive services to help maintain your health and to keep certain illnesses from getting worse
Choosing a Medicare provider can be a complex task with many variables going into this important health care decision. Visit the Medicare web site for helpful information
For additional information on Medicare, Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap), and Medicare HMOs, contact the Westchester County Office for the Aging at 914-665-5900. For more information regarding disability-related questions, contact your local Social Security office shown below.
To determine if you are eligible for other health benefits, log on to http://www.benefitscheckup.org, the online service from the National Council on Aging.
What are my rights under Medicare?
If you have Medicare, you have certain guaranteed rights.
For an independent source of information regarding your rights under Medicare, please log on to http://www.medicarerights.org. The Medicare Rights Center (MRC) is the largest independent source of health care information and assistance in the United States for people with Medicare. You can also phone The Medicare Rights Center (MRC) at 1-800-333-4114.
When Do the Benefits Apply?
Detailed information about eligibility and enrollment is available at http://www.medicare.gov/navigation/medicare-basics/eligibility-and-enrollment.aspx.
How Do I Apply For The Benefit?
Medicare offers a web site that provides help for “Getting
Started” and applying for Medicare: http://www.medicare.gov/default.aspx
You can also call the Social Security Administration toll-free at 800-772-1213 or call your local Social Security office for more information about applying for Part A and Part B Medicare coverage. Below is a list of your local Social Security offices in Westchester County:
5 Stevens Avenue
Mount Vernon, NY 10550
Toll Free National Service Line 800 772-1213
Fax: 914 699-7970
85 Harrison Street
New Rochelle, NY 10801
914-636-6915
Fax: 914 633-4130
One Park Place, Third Floor
Peekskill, NY 10566
914 739-1475
Fax: 914 739-4761
297 Knollwood Road, 4th Floor
White Plains, NY 10607
866 331-8134
Fax: 914 682-6174
20 South Broadway, 10th floor
Yonkers, NY 10701
866 331-6404
Fax: 914 963-2546
What Is The Cost?
Medicare costs in 2012 are detailed at http://www.medicare.gov/cost/.
You can also call 800-MEDICARE for specific information about claims, records and expenses, or visit MyMedicare.gov.
Who Provides the Benefit?
Medicare is provided by the U.S. Federal Government.
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