Medicare

Medicare

Medicare is a government-funded health insurance program that helps pay for medical expenses when you’re sick or injured. It’s mostly for people who are 65 or older, but you may also be eligible if you have certain disabilities or have kidney disease.

Frequently Asked Questions

Program Benefits

Am I eligible?

How do I apply?

Depending on your eligibility, Medicare is divided into different types of coverage for different people and you can choose which parts you want when you sign up.

Part A, hospital insurance, helps pay for hospital stays and some home health and hospice services. You usually get Part A automatically.
Part B, medical insurance, helps pay for doctors, supplies, and services not covered by Part A. You’ll usually pay a monthly fee for Part B.
Part C, “Medicare Advantage”, provides Part A and B services through private insurance companies. You’ll pay a monthly fee for Part C, but it’s usually cheaper than Part A and B combined. Part C is available in many, but not all, areas.
Part D, prescription drug insurance, helps pay for medications. You’ll have to pay a monthly fee and some of the cost of every prescription.

You may be eligible for Medicare if you:

Are 65 or over

Have been disabled for 2+ years and have paid into Social Security

Are on dialysis

You are automatically enrolled in Medicare Part A and Part B when you start to receive Social Security Benefits at, or after, age 65. If you are disabled or have kidney disease, you should contact your local Social Security office to find out if you might be eligible now.