Medicare Questions
Virtual MEDICARE Classes
SHINE Overview: Join SHINE in understanding how your local SHIP and SMP programs are available for one on one counseling and Medicare fraud education. This presentation will provide information on how to contact your local program and visit the Florida-SHINE website for more options.
Medicare Basics: Join SHINE in learning all the basics to Medicare Part A,B,C,D and Medigap along with financial assistance. Also learn about your local program and how to contact a SHINE counselor for a one on one appointment.
Medicare is the federal health insurance program for:
- Most people age 65 and over
- Certain people younger than 65 who qualify for Social Security disability benefits
- People with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease
- People with end-stage renal disease
If you are receiving Social Security or Railroad Retirement benefits, you may be automatically enrolled. If you are not automatically enrolled, you can enroll by calling Social Security.
Medicare covers health care services and items that are medically necessary and reasonable as follows:
- Medicare Part A covers inpatient hospital stays, inpatient skilled nursing facility stays, limited home health care, and hospice care
- Medicare Part B covers outpatient medical services such as doctor visits, diagnostic lab tests, durable medical equipment, and preventive care
- Medicare Part D covers most prescription drugs
- Medicare Part C refers to Medicare Advantage which is an alternative way to receive your Medicare benefits. You receive them through a private insurance plan instead of the Original Medicare
Medicare requires premiums, deductibles, and other cost-sharing for certain services. All variables depend on the coverage you are enrolled in. For detailed plan comparisons and benefits, explanations call our SHINE counselors for one on one assistance. 866-684-5885
If you are covered by an employer group health plan due to active employment (i.e. not a retiree plan), you may delay enrolling in Part B.
If you have creditable prescription drug coverage (meaning it is as good as or better than the standard Medicare Part D drug benefit), you may decide not to enroll in a Medicare Part D plan or to enroll later.
Some beneficiaries choose to supplement Medicare with some other form of coverage, such as a Medigap plan, retiree plan, and secondary insurance. Others receive their Medicare through private health plans called Medicare Advantage (MA) plans.
