Medicare is healthcare you’ve been payting into since you started working, so why not take full advantage of all that it has to offer? We’ve come up with some advice that will help you get the most of your senior healthcare.

Medicare Part A & Part B Cover the Essential Basics

You should get both parts, because Part A is hospital insurance and Part B is medical insurance.

Part A Covers: Hospital Care, Skilled Nursing, Nursing Home Care, Hospice, and Home Health Services.

Part B Covers: Ambulance Services, Partial Hospitalization, Mental Health, Durable Medical Equipment, Clinical Research, Limited outpatient prescription drugs, and Getting a second opinion before surgery.

When We Say Just the Basics, What Do We Mean?

Original Medicare covers each of the above with limits. What does that mean for you? That means that you may think you’re covered for an extended hospital stay or service and find out when it’s too late that you’re not, as well as you are not covered for the majority of prescription drugs. However, you need both A and B to eligible for the following. Click here if you’re ready to sign up for Medicare today.

Medigap fills in the Gaps Medicare Leaves Open

Medigap extends hospital stays, allows you to travel with peace of mind to foreign countries (certain Medigap Plans), pays Original Medicare coinsurance, deductibles and excess charges (again, on certain plans). Click here to see Basic Medigap A and Comprehensive Medigap F compared side-by-side.

Medigap plans have a separate premium from Original Medicare premiums -ranging from low to high. Tip: If you want comprehensive coverage but are on a budget go for Medigap F High-Deductible. This plans “high-deductible” is only $2,140 for 2014, and will give you the comfort of knowing that if you have a major health issue you will be financially covered.

Add Prescription Coverage

As stated above, Original Medicare only offers limited outpatient prescription coverage. Seniors are surprised by the high cost of prescription coverage, especially in case of serious illness, because most individual and group plans that they are used to included drug coverage. Prescription coverage, also known as Medicare Part D, is available as a separate plan from Medigap and Medicare. Click here for a Prescription Drug Plan Overview.

Further Questions:
If you need any further Medicare advice please call 800-930-7956 or contact Senior65.com.