There are certain people who are eligible for coverage through Medicare. These people are those who are diagnosed with renal failure and must have ongoing dialysis, the disabled, and senior citizens aged 65 or older. Medicare provides two different forms of coverage: hospital and medical. If you need coverage for prescriptions, you will need to apply for Medicare drug plans, called Part D.

Medicare Part A covers many hospital related costs. Inpatient care in a hospital or skilled nursing facility are covered. Hospice services and home health services are also covered under Part A. If you or your spouse paid Medicare taxes for at least ten years, you are probably eligible for premium-free coverage. If you must purchase Part A coverage, you must also have Part B Medicare and pay premiums on both parts.

Medicare Part B covers the costs of medically necessary services. These services include doctor visits, outpatient care, and some preventative services. Part B is not mandatory if you have premium-free Part A insurance. Generally, people who don’t pay premiums on Part A have a private insurance company to cover medical services.

Medicare Part C is also called Medicare Advantage Plan. It covers both the hospital and medical insurance through approved private insurance companies, similar to an HMO or PPO. You are required to pay a premium for this form of Medicare in addition to the Part B premium. Hospital and medical coverage from Parts A, B, or C do not provide coverage for prescriptions that you may need. Medicare Part D provides prescription coverage. You have to choose an approved prescription drug plan.

Part D is the prescription coverage provided by Medicare. In order to have this coverage, you need to have the hospital or the medical coverage or both. If you have purchased your coverage through a private company under an advantage plan, you are only eligible for the prescription coverage if you have both the medical and hospital insurances.

In deciding whether or not you need the Medicare prescription coverage, there are a few considerations to weigh. First, you need to think about whether or not you want to stay with any existing prescription coverage you already have. If you have coverage, it is likely going to be through your job or your spouse’s job.

If you don’t have current coverage or you’ve determined that you want Part D coverage, your next step is to compare the prescription lists with the medications you are already taking. It is important to ensure that you are getting a prescription plan that covers your existing medications. You also need to compare the co-pay amounts for brand name and generic prescriptions under the Medicare drug plans that are offered.

Medicare prescription coverage will help you save dollars on those prescriptions that that you need to get. Medicare drug coverage is definitely something that you need to have.

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