How do you qualify for $144 back from Medicare? 

What is Medicare?

Medicare, as the name sounds, is a program that deals with the medical, or healthcare needs of individuals. Medicare is a federally funded healthcare program that the United States government provides for qualifying citizens, namely those in retirement. Medicare applies to those who are 65 years and up in age. The purpose of Medicare for senior citizens is to ensure that the elderly will have reliable healthcare that addresses their medical needs as they begin a huge shift in their life when healthcare is pivotal in living a healthy life. Medicare is not only limited to seniors 65 and older, but is also reserved for people who are dealing with disabilities or medical conditions that fall under the scope of the medicare health insurance program. 

Medicare is not a one path system, but instead contains several different parts and requirements. It’s not always considered an easy sign-up process or something that comes together seamlessly. Seniors citizens and those with certain medical conditions and disabilities have to be enrolled in the right type of medicare and be able to hold eligibility. There are three parts to Medicare; A, B, and C. In order to be offered enrollment in any of these medicare plans, there are many moving parts to consider. 

If you have health goals as a senior citizen it’s of utmost importance to consider which medicare plan is right for you. Entering the years of being what is considered a senior citizen in the United States, is a time of many changes, and health challenges for many elderly. With the provisions included in the government sponsored program of Medicare, you can continue receiving the proper healthcare for your specific needs.

Medicare Parts

Medicare A is a part of the medicare program that provides hospital insurance or coverage for expenses that you may incur during any stays at the hospital or any hospital visits. Medicare A is also built to pay for the costs of any out of hospital healthcare services like hospice care, home health aide care, and any visits that are related to your hospital stay but occur outside of the hospital.

If you and your spouse paid for medicare during your years of working, the amount came out of payroll taxes and went towards medicare, therefore Medicare A does not require that you pay a monthly premium. The conditions are that you or your spouse must have paid for 40 quarters or more to be eligible to skip the monthly premium. Paying the deductibles are still required in Medicare A as a prerequisite to having any hospital associated costs covered thereafter.

Medicare B-Medicare B is considered or also known as medicare’s medical insurance policy or basically the plan that covers the costs of doctor’s visits and the various facets that may be involved during doctor’s visits and procedures. Lab tests, medical equipment costs, health tests, outpatient services, doctor visits, preventative help, is a majority of what is covered under Medicare B. 

Medicare B requires that you first pay a deductible in order for Medicare B benefits to kick in and cover costs. In order to keep receiving Medicare B, most senior citizens and those with disabilities or specific medical conditions are required to pay a monthly premium. Depending on your income, you may have to pay extra for Medicare B coverage if your income goes above a certain amount. 

Original Medicare is a combination of enrolling in both parts A and B. 

Medicare C– Medicare C is a plan for beneficiaries that go through a private insurance plan that is accepted by Medicare. Medicare C is known as Medicare Advantage because it covers more than the Original Medicare enrollment. Beneficiaries of Medicare C must first be enrolled in Medicare A and B, or Original Medicare. Medicare C covers extra health care costs such as gym memberships, prescription plans, dental services, and vision and hearing services. 

To enroll in Medicare C, you have to pay Part B premium, and you may also have to pay the insurance company that offers your Part C plan and give them a premium as well. The premiums will differ according to what Medicare Advantage plan you are enrolled in. There are additional costs with Medicare Advantage plans that encompass expenses like copayments, deductibles, and other insurance costs. Depending on your Medicare Advantage plan, you may be able to choose any health care provider that accepts Medicare Advantage, or you may have to stay in the network. 

Medicare D– Medicare Care D is a prescription drug plan. There are certain prescription drugs that are covered by Medicare D and some that are not. It’s up to the beneficiary to check what prescription drugs they will be [prescribed and if those are eligible to be paid for under Medicare D. 

The cost of Medicare D usually involves monthly premiums and required deductibles. It all depends on your plan, the cost of drugs, and drugs that are covered by your plan. 

Medicare Eligibility

As previously mentioned, Medicare is a federally funded healthcare program that was created for United State citizens that are above the age of 65 (senior citizens), or people that are younger but have certain medical conditions or disabilities that are met under Medicare requirements.

Medicare Enrollment

Medicare enrollment does not take place as an automatic part of turning 65, or having a medical condition or disability. Enrolling in Medicare requires that beneficiaries initiate the process. There is an initial enrollment period, a general enrollment period, a special enrollment period, and other enrollment periods that are necessary to pay attention to in order to receive the full medicare benefits that will help you maintain your healthcare goals. 

Enrollment services are available to the public and there are advocates who can help senior citizens and those needing medicare services. You do not have to go it alone in the enrollment process as it is a complex and multifaceted system, and there is help available to understand it all.

Many times before an enrollment period begins there will be enrollment specialists stationed at select grocery or chain stores. These enrollment specialists typically sit behind a small desk or kiosk with pamphlets and take the time to explain what is necessary to enroll, and how the entire medicare system works. 

$144 Back from Medicare

Medicare C, or Medicare Advantage is the Medicare program in which beneficiaries have the potential to receive a $144 rebate. As with all of the other benefits provided in Medicare, beneficiaries have to meet certain requirements in order to be eligible for the $144 benefit. If you meet all the specified criteria then you can start receiving $144 for your enrollment. This rebate is called the Medicare Part B giveback benefit. Naturally, as it sounds, you must be enrolled in part B medicare to receive this benefit. Other requirements include that you must be enrolled in both parts A and B Medicare, pay a Part B premium, be enrolled in a medicare advantage plan, and live in an area that qualifies for the $144 benefit program. Other requirements include income requirements that have a cap on income and resource requirement limits. 

Enrolling in the $144 giveback from medicare means that you must research your options to choose the best plan for you in which this benefit is available, but also meets your healthcare needs. There are alot of medicare options and this is where an enrollment specialist can help you navigate the enormous amount of information to process when choosing a plan that offers that giveback benefit from medicare. It’s also important to consider enrollment deadlines. Once those pass, you must wait before another enrollment period begins. 

Receiving the $144 benefit fund from medicare all depends on the method you use to pay your premium. If your monthly Part B premium comes out of your Social Security check, then you’ll receive the amount on your Social Security check. If you don’t use Social Security as a Senior Citizen to pay for medicare premiums, then the amount will simply be subtracted from what you owe medicare every month. 

Medicare isn’t always easy to figure out or understand because of the multiple layers that exist within the program. There are also numerous requirements to be met in order to qualify for the different tiers that exist within this healthcare program. Enrolling in Medicare should be a top priority for those above the age of 65 as there are many important benefits, but there are also drawbacks if you don’t choose the right plan. To avoid these types of challenges within the Medicare system, it’s best to understand the process first and to speak with an enrollment specialist. They can also aid in getting you enrolled in the program that’s the perfect fit for your income and needs and offers rebates like the $144 giveback benefit.