FAQ

• People age 65 or older.
• People under age 65 with certain disabilities.
• People of all ages with End-Stage Renal Disease (permanent kidney failure requiring dialysis or a kidney transplant).

Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B do not include coverage for services that are often considered elective. Some of these services include dental care and dentures, cosmetic surgery, hearing aids, or eye exams for glasses. If you pay the additional premium, some Medicare Advantage plans, however, will include these services.

Medicare offers comprehensive health care coverage but may not cover every test, item, or service. This is why it is crucial to pay attention during the Medicare enrollment period in order to make sure that you enroll in the right care plan for your needs.

Social Security Numbers are removed from Medicare cards and replaced with Medicare Beneficiary Identifiers (MBIs).

Medicare Part B includes an annual Wellness Check-Up. Each year, you will need to make an appointment with your primary care provider, or PCP, to get a physical and update your prevention plan for early detection of certain diseases. Early detection testing looks to prevent sickness by examining your current health as well as your risk factors for specific conditions and diseases.

When you switch over to Medicare, you may also have to switch doctors if your General Practitioner does not accept Medicare. A new doctor will ask you for your medical history, as well as your family health history. They may also discuss end-of-life care scenarios or plan a 5-10 year screening schedule for specific diseases. Your doctor will likely provide advice or referrals to other physicians in order to maintain or improve your health. If you have been advised to receive additional testing or have been referred to a specialist, be sure to ask whether they accept Medicare coverage before booking your appointment so that you won’t get stuck with a big bill afterward.

Medicare coverage includes a “Welcome to Medicare” preventive visit with a physician, and you will have one year to schedule it after you first enroll in Medicare Part B. The Welcome visit not only includes a physical, it also provides you with a health risk assessment, takes a look at your mobility, routine flu, and pneumococcal vaccines, and a snapshot of the overall state of your health.

Early detection of certain conditions, like cancer or heart disease, is included with your Medicare coverage. The “Welcome to Medicare” preventive visit is a one-time-only appointment for new Medicare members. Medicare Part B covers this appointment, but must occur within the first twelve months of enrollment in Part B. Keeping illness at bay and staying healthy are both important for preventative care.

Always double-check that the doctor you want to see accepts Medicare and is considered a participating physician. These doctors typically charge less out-of-pocket fees and wait until Medicare pays their portion of the bill before billing you.

You can find eligible providers on the Medicare.gov website, along with hospitals, dialysis facilities, and more.

Now that you understand the basics of Medicare, the next step is finding out if you are eligible for coverage. Once you turn 65, you have a seven-month period to enroll before you experience a gap in medical insurance coverage or have to pay a penalty.