Medicare Benefits Coverage

What Do You Know About Medicare?

Medicare was launched in 1965 and makes available economic and health protection for people age 65 and older and for people under 65 years of age with permanent disabilities or if they have Lou Gehrig's disease or end-stage renal disease. Today, practically all senior citizens are covered by Medicare whereas back in 1965 approximately 50% of seniors did not have medical coverage.



Medicare contributes payments for numerous health care services including, but not limited to, doctor charges, hospital charges and even prescription drugs. Medicare is funded by people who supply money through payroll tax deductions to Medicare throughout their working career; once they become of age, then normally become qualified for Medicare at the age of 65, in spite of their wealth or health.

Explanation of Medicare Parts

Part A assists with payment for your patient care while you are in the hospital. Part A also assists on payments for home health care, skilled nursing service and hospice if you meet definite guidelines.

Part B is the medical coverage part of Medicare. It assists with payment on services that are medically necessary, like physician's charges and outpatient care. Part B will also assist you in paying for a number of preventive services to preserve your health and to prevent you from getting sicker from certain illnesses.

Part C is also identified as Medicare Advantage; this is an additional method to obtain your Medicare benefits. Part C unites Part A, Part B and at times, Part D (prescription drug) coverage. Medicare Advantage Plans are administered by private insurance groups endorsed by Medicare and these policies must cover services that are medically essential. These policies are reviewed annually, can charge diverse deductibles, copayments or coinsurance for the covered services.

Part D (Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage) assists in paying for prescription medicine. This benefit could assist you to reduce your prescription medicine expenses and defend against higher expenses in the future. Part D is not designed to cover all the cost of your prescription drugs, so be sure to review the plan's formulary to determine if your drugs are covered and your out of pocket cost responsibilities.

Explanation of Medicare Supplement

Original Medicare will usually pay only 80% of your medical bills and you will be responsible for the remaining 20%, plus any deductibles. One way to assist with paying the remaining 20% (amount varies depending on which supplement plan you choose) of your medical bills would be to get a Medicare Supplement package. Depending on your state, their can be 12 alphabetized options ranging from Plans A - L, some offer no copays, no deductibles, and no coinsurance.

Dwight Brisco
California Licensed Health Agent
Servicing California Medicare Eligible Consumers

Medicare Benefits
Prescription Drug Information