Medicare Checklist
Here's a quick checklist of Medicare and Medicare supplemental health insurance
to-dos.
Seven to nine months before your 65th birthday:
- Contact the Social Security Administration*
at 1-800-772-1213 to confirm your eligibility for Medicare benefits. - Review your current health insurance coverage to find out what happens after you turn 65.
- Find out what Medicare covers.
Four to six months before your 65th birthday:
- Review your Medicare Supplement insurance plan options.
- Check with your doctor(s) to see if they accept Medicare.
One to three months before your 65th birthday:
- Enroll in Medicare Parts A and B. If you do not receive your automatic enrollment information in the mail, contact the Social Security
Administration* at 1-800-772-1213. - Enroll in a Medicare Supplement insurance plan
- Enroll in a Medicare Part D prescription drug plan
| What Medicare covers | ||
| Service | What Medicare Pays | What You Pay |
|---|---|---|
| Medicare Part A (Hospital) | ||
| Hospital | ||
| First 60 days of an admission | All covered charges but a $1,156 deductible each benefit period | $1,156 |
| 61st to 90th day | All covered charges but $289 a day | $289 a day |
| 91st to 150th day | All covered charges but $578 a day | $578 a day |
| Beyond 150 days | $0 | 100% of expenses |
| Skilled Nursing Facility Care | ||
| First 20 days | 100% of approved costs | $0 |
| 21st to 100th day | All covered charges but $144.50 a day | $144.50 a day |
| Beyond 100 days | $0 | 100% of expenses |
| Medicare Part B (Medical and Doctor Charges) | ||
| $140 annual deductible | $0 | $140 |
| Medical services | 80% of Medicare-approved charges after the $140 calendar year deductible is met | $140 deductible, then the 20% of Medicare-approved charges NOT paid by Medicare |
| Excess charges | $0 | 100% of excess charges |
| Other Health Expenses | ||
| Emergency Care in a Foreign Country (Medically Necessary) | $0 | 100% of expenses |
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas is not connected with or endorsed by the US Government, the Federal Medicare Program or any other governmental agency.
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