What is Medicare?

Medicare is a federal health insurance program consisting of 4 parts.

Let us briefly go over all 4 parts.  Please note we can only briefly cover each part on this page. It is important to fully understand the details of your personal coverage with your IPA agent and review https://www.medicare.gov/.

Part A – Hospital Insurance

Examples of Part A coverage include inpatient hospital stays, care at skilled nursing facilities, hospice care, and some home health care. Part A is an original component of Medicare offered by the federal government.

Part B – Medical Insurance

Examples of Part B coverage include certain doctor office services, outpatient care, medical supplies, and preventative health services. Part B is an original component of Medicare offered by the federal government.

Part C – Medicare Advantage Plans

Part C includes plans that customize benefits from Part A and B to your individual needs. These plans are offered by private companies such as, IPA’s proven partners. The plans must be approved by Medicare. Medicare Advantage Plans include Health Maintenance Organizations (HMO’s), Preferred Provider Organizations (PPO’s), Fee-for-Service Plans, Special Needs Plans, and Medicare Medical Savings Account Plans.

IPA will work with our exceptional partners BlueCross BlueShield of Arizona, Healthnet, Cigna, Humana, and United Healthcare to customize the plan that meets both your medical needs and budget.

Part D – Prescription Drug Coverage

Medicare Prescription Drug coverage is available only through private insurance companies. It is often purchased as a standalone policy to go with a Medicare supplement policy. Most Medicare Advantage plans include a Medicare Prescription Drug as a part of their integrated health insurance approach

Am I Eligible for Medicare?

Now that you know the basics of the Medicare program, we will go over eligibility requirements.

  1. You are of age 65 or older.
  2. You or your spouse have worked at least 10 years.
  3. You or your spouse had a Medicare-covered government position.
  4. You are eligible for monthly Social Security or Railroad Retirement Board cash benefits.
  5. You are a citizen of permanent resident of the United States.

If you are under the age of 65, you may still be eligible for Medicare under certain circumstances, including the following.

  1. Eligible due to certain disabilities or other medical ailments.
  2. Eligible due to end-stage renal disease, requiring dialysis or a kidney transplant.

If you meet the requirements, you are eligible to enroll in Medicare.  It is important to note that once you meet eligibility requirements, you are not automatically enrolled.  You must complete the enrollment process and meet important deadlines to avoid penalties or lapses in coverage.  More information on the enrollment process is covered on our “How to Enroll in Medicare” page.

Who pays for Medicare coverage?

If you meet eligibility requirements for Medicare, complete the enrollment process before the deadlines, and are approved by the federal government, you can receive Part A Medicare benefits at no premium.

You may purchase Part B Medicare benefits if desired.  Payments are deducted from you Social Security, Railroad Retirement, or Civil Service Retirement benefits.  If you do not receive any of those benefits, you will be billed for your Part B premium every 3 months.

IPA adds the most value to your healthcare benefits by customizing your Part C and Part D Medicare benefits for complete healthcare coverage, Part A and B included.  IPA partners with well-known healthcare companies Blue Cross, Blue Shield of Arizona, Healthnet, Cigna, Humana, and United Healthcare.  These companies offer a wide range of products including Health Maintenance Organizations (HMO’s), Preferred Provider Organizations (PPO’s), Fee-for-Service Plans, Special Needs Plans, and Medicare Medical Savings Account Plans.

IPA will take the time to work with you to determine the plan that best meets your medical needs at the correct premium.