Medicare will pay for many of your health care expenses, but not all of them. In particular, Medicare does not cover most nursing home care, long-term care services in the home, or prescription drugs. There are also special rules on when Medicare pays your bills that apply if you have employer group health insurance coverage through your own job or the employment of a spouse. Medicare usually operates on a fee-for-service basis. HMOs and similar forms of prepaid health care plans are now available to Medicare enrollees in some locations. The best source of information on the Medicare program is the Medicare Handbook. This booklet explains how the Medicare program works and what your benefits are. To order a free copy, write to: Health Care Financing Administration, Publications, N1-26-27, 7500 Security Blvd., Some people who are covered by Medicare buy private insurance, called “Medigap” policies, to pay the medical bills that Medicare doesn’t cover. Some Medigap policies cover Medicare’s deductibles; most pay the coinsurance amount. Some also pay for health services not covered by Medicare. There are 10 standard plans from which you can choose. (Some States may have fewer than 10). If you buy a Medigap policy, make sure you do not purchase more than one. You need to shop carefully before deciding on the best policy to fit your needs. You may get another booklet, Guide to Health Insurance for People with Medicare, to help you in making the right choice. To order a free copy, write to: Health Care Financing Administration, Publications, N1-26-27, 7500 Security Blvd., Another good source of information on the same topic is The Consumer’s Guide to Medicare Supplement Insurance. To order a free copy, write to: Health Insurance Association of America, 555 13th St., N.W., Suite 600 East, Medicaid Medicaid provides health care coverage for some low-income people who cannot afford it. This includes people who are eligible because they are aged, blind, or disabled or certain people in families with dependent children. Medicaid is a Federal program that is operated by the States, and each State decides who is eligible and the scope of health services offered. General information on the Medicaid program is given in the Medicaid Fact Sheet. For a free copy, write to: Health Care Financing Administration, Publications, N1-26-27, 7500 Security Blvd., | |
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