Winter Texan numbers dropping in the Valley
From the McAllen Monitor newspaper: Click the link below. http://www.themonitor.com/news/local/winter-texan-numbers-dropping-in-the-valley/article_17c72758-2294-11e4-ac7d-001a4bcf6878.html
Forum Discussion
I don't quite understand the issue with medical insurance for those Americans 65 years old or older. If they worked 10 years they qualify for Medicare. A wife qualifies thru her husband and therefore does not need to have worked at all. Part "A" cost nothing. part "B" cost the average Americam $105 a month. This fee is automatically deducted from their Social Security payment. Medigap policies (if you even want one) to cover the deductible for part "B" ($147, and 20% co pay for the office visit0 are relatively low in price because the payouts are relatively small. The big cost in Ametica is for hospital stays and that coverage is complete and FREE. There is a hospital deductible of $1216.
What Does Medicare Cover?
The first thing to learn about Medicare is its different parts. Together, Part A and Part B are called original Medicare or traditional Medicare.
Part A
Also called hospital insurance, Part A is part of traditional Medicare. Most people are enrolled automatically in Part A when they reach age 65.
Medicare Part A covers the cost if you are admitted to a hospital, skilled nursing facility, or hospice. It also covers some home health services.
With Part A, you'll pay:
A deductible each year. This is how much you have to spend before Medicare starts to pay its part.
Coinsurance. This is the part of the costs for hospital care after you've met your deductible.
If you or your spouse worked for 10 years or more in the U.S., you don't have to pay a monthly fee to have Part A.
If you or your spouse did not work at least 10 years in the U.S., you have to pay a monthly fee to have Part A. The amount is more if you or your spouse worked less than 7.5 years in the U.S.
Part B
Also called medical insurance, Part B is part of traditional Medicare, and it's common for people to be automatically enrolled. Medicare Part B covers outpatient care. For instance, it pays for visits to a doctor’s office, tests, and preventive health care like cancer screenings and vaccines. Part B also covers some medical supplies, like blood sugar test strips, therapeutic shoes, and more.
For Medicare Part B, you pay:
A monthly fee
A deductible, which is a set amount you pay each year before Part B starts paying for any of your care
Twenty percent of the Medicare-approved amount for some types of care. These are doctor's appointments, physical therapy, diabetes supplies, durable medical equipment like commode chairs, wheelchairs, and others. You have to meet your deductible before you start paying 20%.
If you see a doctor who has not signed an agreement to accept Medicare-approved amounts, you will pay more -- possibly up to the full cost -- for a doctor's visit and care.
What Does Medicare Cover?
The first thing to learn about Medicare is its different parts. Together, Part A and Part B are called original Medicare or traditional Medicare.
Part A
Also called hospital insurance, Part A is part of traditional Medicare. Most people are enrolled automatically in Part A when they reach age 65.
Medicare Part A covers the cost if you are admitted to a hospital, skilled nursing facility, or hospice. It also covers some home health services.
With Part A, you'll pay:
A deductible each year. This is how much you have to spend before Medicare starts to pay its part.
Coinsurance. This is the part of the costs for hospital care after you've met your deductible.
If you or your spouse worked for 10 years or more in the U.S., you don't have to pay a monthly fee to have Part A.
If you or your spouse did not work at least 10 years in the U.S., you have to pay a monthly fee to have Part A. The amount is more if you or your spouse worked less than 7.5 years in the U.S.
Part B
Also called medical insurance, Part B is part of traditional Medicare, and it's common for people to be automatically enrolled. Medicare Part B covers outpatient care. For instance, it pays for visits to a doctor’s office, tests, and preventive health care like cancer screenings and vaccines. Part B also covers some medical supplies, like blood sugar test strips, therapeutic shoes, and more.
For Medicare Part B, you pay:
A monthly fee
A deductible, which is a set amount you pay each year before Part B starts paying for any of your care
Twenty percent of the Medicare-approved amount for some types of care. These are doctor's appointments, physical therapy, diabetes supplies, durable medical equipment like commode chairs, wheelchairs, and others. You have to meet your deductible before you start paying 20%.
If you see a doctor who has not signed an agreement to accept Medicare-approved amounts, you will pay more -- possibly up to the full cost -- for a doctor's visit and care.
