When the Medicare program was passed in 1965 it had two parts to it. There was what we’ll call “Part A”: hospital insurance coverage. And then there was “Part B”: medical insurance coverage. Late a “Part C” and a “Part D” were added to cover further health concerns.
The coverage of Part A encompasses any hospital visit that was at least 3 days from admission to release. Also it covers stays in assisted living facilities if the reason for the stay is related to your covered hospital stay. Additionally, it requires that the nursing supervisor and nurse are both skilled personnel. Part A is paid from your standard tax deductions during your working career.
Part B of Medicare provides medical coverage that is usually optional. Part B pays for some services and providers not covered under Part A. X-rays, lab tests, specific outpatient procedures, flu vaccines, and doctor’s visits are some of the things covered under Part B.
Part A is completely free, however, Part B requires a monthly premium. When you are notified that you can have Medicare insurance just before you turn 65, you must choose whether or not you would like Part B coverage. You must pay $88.50 for Part B premiums as of 2006.
In 1997 a “Part C” was introduced that allowed Medicare members to receive medical care through private insurance plans. These plans would replace Part A and Part B of Medicare coverage. In 2003 these private plans were regulated and collectively called Medicare Advantage (MA) plans.
On January 1, 2006, Part D Medicare insurance was activated. Those already eligible for Parts A and B were therefore already eligible to participate in the new Part D prescription drug plan. The Medicare insurance benefit of Part D allowed members to subscribe to one of many private insurance prescription drug plans.
Part D Medicare insurance allowed members to pay less for their prescriptions. Like Part B, Part D Medicare insurance required the member to pay a monthly premium. Unfortunately, each of the private insurance prescription drug plans had varying restrictions and caused a great deal of confusion among those trying to choose a plan.
Some government agencies predict that the Medicare insurance program may run out of money around 2018. It seems that workers are retiring and using Medicare insurance faster than current workers are paying into the Medicare insurance bank account.
In 2005, the Medicare insurance program provided coverage to an estimated 42.5 million persons. The “Baby Boom” generation, once fully retired and enrolled in Medicare insurance, is expected to swell the ranks of the Medicare insurance members to approximately 77 million persons around the year 2031.
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