The MetLife Mature Market Institute® has a new guide, “The Essentials: Medicare and Medicaid,” available free to the public. The publication is a concisely written how-to guide for older Americans and their families, which answers basic and in-depth questions about both health care programs, including the most common: “what’s the difference between the two?”
“Most Americans, once they reach age 65, are eligible for Medicare,” said Sandra Timmermann, Ed.D., director of the MetLife Mature Market Institute. “These people and their children will need to know what benefits are due to them, how to apply, and how to navigate the system, once they’re enrolled. The process can seem complicated at first, but there are both public and private resources available to assist those who have questions.”
Medicare is a federally funded program administered by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) that is a source of health insurance available to most Americans age 65 and over and certain individuals under age 65. For many Americans it is their only source of health insurance. However, it is not all-inclusive in its coverage and includes premiums, deductibles and other costs which are important for individuals to understand.
Medicaid, which is jointly funded by state and federal governments, covers medical services for Americans of all ages who have limited income and assets and meet certain other conditions in addition to financial eligibility requirements. The Federal government has established broad national guidelines under which each state can administer its program and establish its own eligibility guidelines and scope of covered services. Some individuals may be eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid.
“The Essentials: Medicare and Medicaid,” contains answers to questions on the following topics:
Medicare eligibility
How to apply
Premiums, deductibles, co-payments
Program options
Medicare guidelines for home health care, hospice
Medicare Part B (medical insurance)
Medigap & supplemental insurance
Medicare Advantage Plans (Medicare Part C)
Medicare Part D (prescription drug coverage)
Expenses not covered by Medicare
Medicaid eligibility
Services covered under Medicaid
The guide also lists resources and publications that provide additional information about Medicare and Medicaid. These include the names, telephone numbers and Web addresses for such organizations as the Social Security Administration and CMS, and a description of services offered from additional government and privately funded organizations, including the Medicare Rights Center, BenefitsCheckUp and the State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP).
“The Essentials: Medicare and Medicaid” can be downloaded from www.maturemarketinstitute.com; on the home page, see “In Focus.” It can also be ordered by e-mailing maturemarketinstitute@metlife.com or by writing to: MetLife Mature Market Institute, 57 Greens Farms Road, Westport, CT 06880.
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