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Medicare

MEDICARE

Medicare is a health insurance program for people age 65 or older, certain people with disabilities who are under age 65 and people of any age who have permanent kidney failure. It provides basic protection against the cost of health care, but it doesn’t cover all medical expenses or the cost of most long-term care and at this time does not cover the expense of prescriptions.

A portion of the Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA) taxes, or payroll taxes paid by workers and their employers finances Medicare. It also is financed in part by monthly premiums paid by beneficiaries.

Social Security helps individuals enroll in the program and provide general Medicare information.

SECTION INDEX

Medicare Has Two Parts

Who Can Get Medicare?

More Information on Medicare

MEDICARE HAS TWO PARTS

There are two parts of Medicare:
• “Part A” premium free hospitalization, which helps pay for care in a hospital and skilled nursing facility, home health care and hospice care; and
• “Part B” supplemental medical, which helps pay for doctors, out-patient hospital care and other medical services

WHO CAN GET MEDICARE?

Hospital Insurance (Part A)

In general most people age 65 or older who are citizens or permanent residents of the United States are eligible for Medicare hospital insurance (Part A) without paying a monthly premium based on their own – or their spouse’s – employment.

Before age 65, a person is eligible for premium-free Part A if:
• he/she has been entitled to Social Security disability benefits for 24 months (this includes widows, widowers and children who receive benefits because of a disability); or
• he/she receives a disability annuity from the railroad retirement board and meets certain conditions; or
• his/her parent or spouse (living or deceased, including a divorced spouse) has worked long enough in a government job where Medicare taxes were paid and he/she meets the requirements of the Social Security disability program

If a person has permanent kidney failure, he/she is eligible for premium-free Part A at any age. This is true if he/she receives maintenance dialysis or had a kidney transplant and
• is eligible for or receives monthly benefits under Social Security or the railroad retirement system; or
• has worked long enough in a Medicare-covered government job; or
• is the child or spouse (including divorced spouse) of a worker (living or deceased) who has worked long enough under Social Security or in a government job where Medicare taxes were paid

Medical Insurance (Part B)

Anyone who is eligible for Part A can enroll in Part B by paying a monthly premium. The current premium is $ 66.60 /month. (2004) If a person cannot afford to pay the premium he/she may be able to get help from the state. The state may pay some or all of the premiums and may also pay deductibles and coinsurance. To qualify, a person must have Part A, limited income and meet the resource limit of $4,000 for a single person or $6,000 for a couple. Only the state can decide if a person qualifies for assistance. To find out if a specific individual qualifies for help, contact the local Medicaid office.

MORE INFORMATION ON MEDICARE:

• Call toll free 1-800-633-4227 (TTY users call 1-877-486-2048) or
• Visit www.medicare.gov

Phone (801) 887-9529
Address 1595 W. 500 South, SLC, UT 84104
E-mail ecerna@utah.gov Directions