Applying for Medicare: Seeking Help through Burbank Social Security Lawyers

The Social Security Administration (SSA) runs different programs to aid the needs of American people. One among them is Medicare, which is deemed the nation’s largest health insurance protection program.

Medicare helps qualified people particularly those whose age is 65 or older, persons under 65 with disabilities and those who have kidney failures or End-Stage Renal Disease.

However, Medicare does not cover everything and it does not pay the total cost of most services or supplies. This program only covers inpatient care in hospitals that includes access to hospitals and nursing facilities, hospital care and several home health cares.

SSA is the government agency that sets the qualifications for Medicare Insurance. And you have to meet the requirements to be able to receive benefits.

Medicare has four parts:

1. Hospital Insurance (Part A) - This type of Medicare pays inpatient hospital expenses, nursing homes and hospice care. It also covers other illnesses if you are not receiving any treatment but needs a skilled nursing supervision. The maximum length that Part A will cover per ailment is 100 days.

2. Medicare Medical Insurance (Part B) - This type of Medicare covers outpatient care costs including the doctor fees, physician services, ambulance services, diagnostic tests, chemotherapy, laboratory and x-rays. It also covers durable medical equipment such as wheelchairs, walker, prosthetic devices such as artificial limbs and prosthetics.

For most beneficiaries, the government pays 75 percent of the Part B standard premium, and the rest is paid by them.

This type of Medicare insurance is subject to a monthly premium, co-payments and annual deductible. It is not compulsory and it can be postponed if you or your spouse is still working actively.

Almost anyone, 65 years of age or older, or below 65 but qualified for hospital insurance, can apply for this through paying premiums monthly. In 2009, the standard Medicare Part B monthly premium is $96.40. Also, for this part of Medicare, aged people need not have any government or Social Security credits.

3. Medicare Advantage (Part C). This provides qualified users to customize Medicare plan based on their medical needs. Part C is available in many areas and some of its forms are Preferred Provider Organization, Special Needs Plan, and Health maintenance Organization.

4. Prescription Drug Plan (Part D). This helps pay for medications prescribed by doctors for treatment. Part D is not standardized. You will select which drugs you wish to cover and at what level you want to cover it. You also have the choice not to cover some drugs.

Who are Qualified for Medicare Insurance

You may be qualified for Medicare Insurance if:

• You turn 65 years old

• You have Social Security or Railroad Retirement Benefits

• Spouse record

• You are a government employee who paid the Medicare part of the Social