1. Medicare Basics Module #1
Jayashri Sankaranarayanan PhD
Assistant Professor
Department of Pharmacy Practice,
College of pharmacy
University of Nebraska Medical Center
Phone:
Welcome to the modules on “Medicare: Basics, the New Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage, and Beneficiary MODULES.” I am Dr. Jayashri Sankaranarayanan, an Assistant Professor from the University of Nebraska College of Pharmacy and will be talking about on Medicare for the mini- fellowship online modules administered by the University of Nebraska Geriatrics Education Center.

2. PROCESS A series of modules and questions
Step #1: Power point module with voice overlay
Step #2: Case-based question and answer
Step # 3: Proceed to additional modules or take a break
Our process will be to review the topic of “Medicare: Basics, the New Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage, and Beneficiary scenarios” on PowerPoint modules with voice overlay. This will be followed by case based questions with answers to explain the right and wrong answers. Then you will have the option to continue with the next module on the new Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage or take a break at that time. The learner is recommended to complete a module before disengaging. When the module and questions are completed click on “Mark Reviewed” on the main page of the minifellowship to indicate your completion.

3. Objectives Three module Overview
Upon completion, the learner will be able to describe:
The Medicare Program, its eligibility and various health insurance options
The new Medicare Outpatient Prescription Drug Benefit in terms of eligibility criteria, the cost benefit structure, drugs covered and enrollment process
What guidance can be given to the Medicare beneficiaries in various case scenarios.
The first module will provide an overview of Medicare, its eligibility criteria and various health insurance options for beneficiaries.
The second module will familiarize you with the new Medicare Outpatient Prescription Drug Benefit in terms of its eligibility criteria, the cost-benefit structure of the health insurance plans, drugs covered, and the enrollment process.
Lastly, in module 3, we will describe various case scenarios of Medicare beneficiaries that you might encounter in your practice setting and the guidance and direction you can offer to them as health professionals.

4. Medicare Overview - Objectives
Original or Traditional Medicare (Part A and B)
Medicare Supplement Insurance/Medigap
Medicare Advantage and other Medicare Health Plans
Medicaid and Medicare Savings Programs
Jack and Jill are your patients who turned 65 and have been seeing all the information commercials on television. Wherever they turn, Medicare has been the talk of the town. They ask you to explain everything on Medicare, starting with an overview.
This module 1 includes information on Original Medicare, Medicare Supplement Insurance/Medigap, Medicare Advantage and other Medicare Health Plans, as well as Medicaid and Medicare Savings Programs.

5. Signing of the Medicare and Medicaid Bill (July 30, 1965)
You are seeing a historical moment captured on this slide.
President Lyndon Johnson signed the Medicare and Medicaid programs into law on July 30, 1965.
Medicaid became effective January 1, 1966, and Medicare became effective July 1, Medicare is the nation’s largest federal health insurance program, currently covering about 43 million Americans.
You may have recognized the others on this slide too. You can see President Harry S. Truman is seated next to him. Others looking on include Lady Bird Johnson, Vice President Hubert Humphrey, and Bess Truman.
Signing of the Medicare and Medicaid Bill (July 30, 1965)

6. Medicare A federally established national health insurance program for
People 65 years of age and older
Some people with disabilities
People with End-Stage Renal Disease
Administered by Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)
Enrollment handled by the Social Security Administration or Railroad Retiree Board
Apply 3 months before age 65
Need not be retired
Automatically enrolled if receiving Social Security or Railroad Retirement benefits
While Medicare is administered by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), the Social Security Administration is responsible for enrolling most people in Medicare. The Railroad Retirement Board is responsible for enrolling railroad retirees in Medicare.
Medicare was created by Congress in MEDICARE IS A FEDERALLY ESTABLISHED NATIONAL HEALTH INSURANCE PROGRAM FOR PEOPLE 65 YEARS OF AGE AND OLDER OR FOR DISABLED PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN RECEIVING SOCIAL SECURITY FOR A SET AMOUNT OF TIME (24 MONTHS IN MOST CASES) OR FOR PEOPLE WITH END-STAGE RENAL DISEASE (ESRD) (PERMANENT KIDNEY FAILURE REQUIRING DIALYSIS OR A TRANSPLANT)
Unlike Social Security, the full retirement age for Medicare is still age The Social Security Administration advises people to apply for Medicare benefits 3 months before age 65. People do not have to be retired to enroll in Medicare. Medicare benefits can begin no earlier than age 65 EXCEPT FOR DISABLED OR THOSE WITH END-STAGE RENAL DISEASE. People who are already receiving Social Security benefits will be automatically enrolled in Medicare without an additional application. They will receive a Medicare card and other information about 3 months before age 65 or the 25th month of disability.

7. Terms in insurance Patient cost-sharing (Out of pocket costs)
Premium is the money usually paid monthly to an insurance
company for coverage and may be paid in part or in full by
the employer.
Patient cost-sharing (Out of pocket costs)
Deductible is the specified dollar amount that a patient has to pay (or "satisfy") during a given period of time (usually a year) for health care expenses before the insurance or a self-insured company begins to cover the costs and reimbursement for health care expenses.
Co-Payment is a specified dollar amount that a patient pays every
time a health care service is received. For example, a $10 "co-payment" for each office visit.
3. Co-Insurance is a specified percentage of the cost of the service that a patient pays and the third-party payer pays the reminder. For example, the employee pays 20 percent toward the charges for a service and the employer or insurer pays the remaining 80 percent.
To prepare you to understand the Medicare program we will review a few insurance terms
This slide explains the various terms used in health insurance.
Premium is the money usually paid monthly to an insurance company for coverage and may be paid in part or in full by an individual’s employer.
Patients often have to pay a portion of the cost of the health care services they receive. This patient cost-sharing is designed to control utilization of health services by making patients more cost conscious. There are three types of patient cost-sharing also known as “out of pocket costs.” 1) Deductible is the specified dollar amount that a patient has to pay (or "satisfy") during a given period of time (usually a year) for health care expenses before the insurance or a self-insured company begins to cover the costs and reimbursement for health care expenses ) Co-Payment is a specified dollar amount that a patient pays every time a health care service is received, in addition to what the insurance covers. For example, some HMOs require a $10 "co-payment" for each office visit, regardless of the type or level of services provided during the visit. Other examples are $50 per hospital admission or $5 per prescription. 3) Co-Insurance is a specified percentage of the cost of the service that a patient pays and the third-party payer pays the reminder. For example, the employee pays 20 percent toward the charges for a service and the employer or insurer pays the reminder 80 percent.

8. Coverage since January 1, 2006
Medicare
Part A*
Hospital Insurance
Part B*
Medical Insurance
NEW Prescription Drug
Coverage since January 1, 2006
Traditional or Original Medicare has two parts—Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance) and Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance).
Most people do not have to pay for Medicare Part A. Most people pay a monthly premium for Medicare Part B.
Medicare added prescription drug coverage starting in 2006.
While all beneficiaries have Part A, almost all (>95%) are also enrolled into Part B. Part A is premium free for most people but THEY have to pay Medicare Part B premium, deductibles and coinsurance
In the Original Medicare plan, people may go to any doctor, specialist, hospital, or other health care provider that accepts Medicare i.e. there is wide provider choice.
Let’s talk about each of these parts of Medicare.
*Go to any provider that accepts Medicare

9. Medicare Part A - (Hospital Insurance)
What is covered?
Inpatient hospital services, post hospital skilled nursing facilities (SNF), home health care visits (following a hospital or SNF stay), and hospice care
What is the cost and enrollment?
There are no monthly premiums (for persons with >10 years of Medicare covered employment) and enrollment is automatic at age 65
How is it financed?
Financed through the Social Security System (% of wages and salaries)
Part A covers inpatient hospital services, post hospital skilled nursing facilities (SNF), home health care visits (following a hospital or SNF stay), and hospice care.
Part A (Hospital Insurance) is premium free for most people. People with <10 years of Medicare-covered employment will pay a Part A premium.
Most people do not have to pay a monthly payment (premium) for Medicare Part A because they (or their spouse) paid Medicare or FICA taxes while they were working. (FICA stands for "Federal Insurance Contributions Act." It’s the tax withheld from your salary, or that you pay from your self-employment income, that funds the Social Security and Medicare programs.)
If a person and his or her spouse did not pay Medicare taxes while they were working, or did not work long enough (10 years in most cases) in Medicare-covered employment to qualify for premium-free Medicare Part A, the person may still be able to get Medicare Part A. However, he or she will have to pay a monthly premium. The amount of the premium depends on how long the person worked in Medicare-covered employment.
For information on Part A entitlement, enrollment, or premiums, call the Social Security Administration at or for TTY users.

10. Medicare Part B - (Supplementary Medical Insurance)
What is covered?
Physician and outpatient hospital services (including drugs administered in those settings), cancer screening services, laboratory procedures and medical equipment
Who is eligible and what is the cost?
People eligible for Part A can elect to pay (voluntary) the Medicare Part B premium of $88.50 per month in 2006 and deductible of $124 in 2006 and 20% coinsurance for most services
How is it financed?
Financed in part by general revenues (personal income and other federal taxes) and in part by Part B monthly premiums
Part B covers physician and outpatient hospital services (including drugs administered in those settings), annual mammography and other cancer screening services, laboratory procedures and medical equipment.
While Part A enrollment is automatic, enrolling in to Medicare Part B is voluntary and not automatic. Thus for enrolling in Medicare Part B, (Medical Insurance) people pay a monthly premium of $88.50 per month in This premium may be higher for those who did not choose Part B when they first became eligible. An exception would be if they or their spouse, are still employed and they are covered by a group health plan by virtue of this employment. In that case, they could delay enrolling in Part B without a penalty.
Beneficiaries also pay an amount for health care each calendar year (a deductible) before Medicare begins to pay its part. This amount is adjusted every year. A person with Medicare must pay the first $124 of his or her Medicare-approved medical bills in 2006 as deductible before Medicare Part B starts to pay for care. For Part B services, once the annual deductible is satisfied ($124 per year in 2006), Medicare usually pays 80 percent of the Medicare-approved amount, and the person is responsible for the coinsurance or co-payment (usually 20 percent of the approved amount in most cases). In addition, the person who needs blood must pay for the first three pints.
Part B is financed in part by general revenues (personal income and other federal taxes) and in part by Part B monthly premiums.
For people who can’t afford to pay these costs, there are programs that can help, which we will discuss later.

11. Medicare Part B: Enrollment Period
Initial Enrollment Period
7 months beginning 3 months before age 65.
The General Enrollment Period
January 1 through March 31 each year, Coverage effective July 1
Premium increases 10% for each 12-month period eligible but not enrolled
People carry this increase as long as they have Part B
Limited exceptions
Special enrollment period
Any time they are still covered by the employer or union group health plan through their or their spouse’s current or active employment
OR During the 8 months following the month when the employer or union group plan coverage ends, or when the employment ends (whichever is first)
Sign up within 8 months of the end of employer or union group health plan coverage
No increased premium
For questions or to enroll, call SSA or RRB
Enrolling in Medicare Part B is a choice. Thus, people can choose whether or not to enroll in Part B (medical insurance). They can sign up for Part B any time during a 7-month period that begins 3 months before the month they turn 65. This is called the Initial Enrollment Period (IEP).
People who don’t take Part B when first eligible at age 65 may have to wait to sign up during a General Enrollment Period (GEP). This period runs from January 1 through March 31 of each year, with coverage effective July 1 of that year. Those who don’t take Part B when they are first eligible will have the cost of Part B go up 10% for each full 12-month period that they could have had Part B but didn’t sign up for it, except in special cases. In most cases, they will have to pay this penalty as long as they have Part B.
People who didn’t take Part B when they were first eligible because they or their spouse were working and they had group health coverage through their or their spouse’s employer or union can sign up for Part B during a Special Enrollment Period. People who sign up for Part B during a Special Enrollment Period don’t pay higher premiums.

12. Paying for Medicare Part B
Taken out of monthly payments
Social Security
Railroad retirement
Federal government retirement
For information about premiums
SSA, RRB, or Office of Personnel Management
May be billed every 3 months
Medicare Easy Pay
After people in Original Medicare receive health care services, they get a notice of what was covered, called a Medicare Summary Notice (MSN) in the mail. This notice lists the service received, what was charged, what Medicare paid, and how much the person must pay. People who choose to have Medicare Part B usually have the premium automatically taken out of their monthly Social Security or Railroad Retirement payment. Federal government retirees may be able to have the premium deducted from their retirement check. For information about Medicare Part B premiums, call the agency that enrolled the person in Medicare or the OPM for a retired federal employee.
For people who don’t get any of these payments, Medicare sends them a bill for their Medicare Part B premiums every 3 months. The bill can be paid by credit card, check, or money order. People may also elect to have their Part B premiums automatically deducted from their bank account using the Easy Pay option. (Easy Pay may also be used to pay the premium for Part A.) People can contact MEDICARE ( ) and request a Medicare Easy Pay Authorization Form.

13. What’s this? The Medicare Card Jane Doe
This is Jane Doe’s red, white, and blue Medicare card. The card shows the Medicare coverage (Part A Hospital Insurance and/or Part B Medical Insurance) and the effective date coverage starts.
The Medicare card also shows the person’s Medicare claim number. For most people, the claim number has nine digits and one letter. There also may be a number or another letter after the first letter. The 9-digit number indicates which Social Security record has the person’s Medicare entitlement on it. The letter or letters and numbers tell the person’s relationship to the number holder for that record. For example, people receiving Medicare on their own Social Security record might have the letter “A,” “T,” or “M” depending on whether they are entitled to both Medicare and Social Security benefits or to Medicare only. For someone receiving Medicare on a spouse’s record, the letter might be a B.
For railroad retirees, numbers and letters appear before the Social Security number. These letters and numbers have nothing to do with entitlement to Part A or Part B of Medicare.
The use of the card will differ depending on the type of Medicare health plan option the person chose. People who chose Original Medicare will use the red, white, and blue Medicare card when obtaining health care services and supplies. If any information on the card is incorrect, the person should contact the Social Security Administration, or the Railroad Retirement Board for people who receive Railroad Medicare benefits.
People should protect their Medicare card and number as if it were a credit card.
Jane Doe
The Medicare Card

14. Limitations of Medicare
Medicare pays for about half of all beneficiary health care spending
Wide provider choice but with high cost-sharing requirements (Large deductibles, co-payments, & coinsurance)
Part A deductible ($952/benefit period in 2006)
Part B monthly premium ($88.50 /month in 2006)
Income-related Part B premium (beginning in 2007)
Gaps in benefit coverage
No routine annual exams
Limited long-term care (No long-term custodial care at home/nursing home)
No hearing aids, eyeglasses or eye exam, or dental care
Nearly 9 in 10 rely on supplemental insurance to fill gaps
Medicare pays only for about half of all beneficiary health care spending. The wide provider choice of original Medicare comes at a high price of high cost sharing requirements. Inspite of high provider choice and high cost sharing, there are gaps in benefit coverage like there are no routine annual exams, no outpatient prescription drug coverage and limited long- term care and no hearing aids or eye or dental exams. Hence, nearly 9 in 10 beneficiaries rely on supplemental insurance to fill these gaps in coverage. Options to meet cost sharing requirements instead of paying out of pocket include retiree health insurance from a former employer or union, or Medicaid (if they qualify), or enrolling in managed care plans or purchasing additional private insurance known a Medigap insurance.

15. Medicare Supplement Insurance
Often called “Medigap”
Medicare is a Federal program
Medicare supplement insurance is private health insurance
regulated by each state
Comprehensive Coverage
Medicare Supplement Insurance
Medicare Part A & B
We’ve talked about Medicare and gaps in Medicare coverage.
Medicare is different from Medigap, which is another name for Medicare Supplement Insurance. A Medigap policy is a health insurance policy sold by private insurance companies to fill the gaps in Original Medicare plan coverage. Medigap insurance must follow federal and state laws. These laws protect people with Medicare. Every Medigap policy must clearly identify it as “Medicare Supplement Insurance.”

16. Medigap Plans
Supplemental private insurance intended to fill the “gaps” in traditional Medicare
About 25% of Medicare beneficiaries have Medigap plans
Ten Medigap plans (A through J), H, I and J provide prescription drug benefit with a deductible after, which they cover a % of Rx costs upto a particular max. amount per year
Premiums vary widely, depending on your age, where you live, insurance company, and type of plan
About 25% of Medicare beneficiaries have Medigap plans. Ten Medigap plans (A through J), H, I and J provide prescription drug benefit with a deductible after, which they cover a % of Rx costs upto a particular max. amount per year. Specifically, Medigap plans H, I and J provide prescription drug benefit with a $250 deductible after which H and I cover 50% of Rx costs upto max. $1,250 per year and J upto $3000 per year. For example, you may encounter Medicare beneficiaries with Medigap plan H from Blue Cross or Medicare Supplement insurance. This means they have Medigap coverage. Premiums vary widely, depending on beneficiary's age, where they live, the insurance company, and type of plan.

17. Medicare Health Plan Choices
Medicare Advantage plans
Medicare Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) plans
Medicare Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) plans
Medicare Special Needs plans
Medicare Private Fee-for-Service plans
Other Medicare Health Plans
Medicare Cost plans
Demonstrations
PACE
People may be able to get Medicare health care coverage in several other ways. The Original Medicare Plan is available nationwide. It is also known as “fee-for- service.” We will talk about this more in depth in a few minutes. However, there are other plans besides the Original Medicare Plan that people can choose to get their Medicare health coverage.
Congress created Medicare Advantage to let more private insurance companies offer coverage to people with Medicare. There are several types of Medicare Advantage plans including: Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) plans, Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) plans, Special Needs plans, and Medicare Private Fee-for-Service plans. Medicare Advantage used to be called Medicare + Choice. This change is part of the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003, called the Medicare Modernization Act or MMA.
There are a few other types of Medicare health plans as well. These plans are not available everywhere. There are three other types of Medicare Health Plans: Medicare Cost Plans—similar to an HMO, but services received outside the plan are covered under Original Medicare, Demonstrations—special projects that test possible future improvements in Medicare coverage, costs, and quality of care, and PACE (Programs of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly)—PACE combines medical, social, and long-term care services for frail elderly people.
The rules and payments for Medicare health plans have been improved to give people more health plan choices and better benefits. If people are happy with the Medicare coverage they have, they can keep it exactly the same. Or they can choose to enroll in one of these new plan options. No matter what people decide, they are still in the Medicare program.
Visit on the web or call MEDICARE ( ) to get the most up-to-date and detailed Medicare health plan information.

18. Medicare Advantage Plans
Medicare Health Maintenance Organizations
Some have Point-of-Service option
Medicare Preferred Provider Organizations
Regional PPOs beginning January 2006, will bring more plan options to people with Medicare
Medicare Special Needs Plans
Medicare Private Fee-for-Service Plans
Now we’ll briefly discuss Medicare Advantage. There are four main types of Medicare Advantage plans:
Medicare Health Maintenance Organizations (HMO) plan—some HMO Plans offer a Point-of-Service option, which allows members to go to doctors and hospitals that aren’t a part of the plan but may cost more.
Medicare Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) plans—similar to an HMO plan but members can see any doctor or provider that accepts Medicare and don’t need a referral to see a specialist. Going to a provider who isn’t part of the plan will usually cost more.
Medicare Special Needs Plans—with membership limited to certain groups of people.
Medicare Private Fee-for-Service Plans—offered by private companies. Members can go to any provider that accepts the plan’s terms, and may get extra benefits. The private company decides how much it will pay and how much members pay for services.

19. Eligibility Requirements
Live in plan’s service area
Entitled to Medicare Part A
Enrolled in Medicare Part B
Not have ESRD at the time of enrollment
Some exceptions
Medicare Advantage Plans and other Medicare Health Plans are available to most people with Medicare; however, they are not currently available in all states. To be eligible to join a Medicare Advantage or other Medicare Health Plan a person must:
Live in the plan’s geographic service area or continuation area
Be entitled to Medicare Part A
Be enrolled in Medicare Part B (people already in a Medicare HMO who have only Part B may stay in their plan)
People with End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) usually can’t join a Medicare Advantage Plan or other Medicare Health Plan. However, there are some exceptions.
In addition, the person must:
Agree to provide the necessary information to the plan
Agree to follow the plan’s rules
Belong to only one plan at a time

20. How Does Medicare Advantage Work?
Generally get all Medicare-covered services through the plan
Can include prescription drug coverage
Generally extra benefits and lower copayments than in Original Medicare
May have to use health care providers that belong to the plan
Let’s talk more about how Medicare Advantage works.
In most Medicare Advantage Plans, members generally get all their Medicare-covered health care through that plan. This coverage can include prescription drug coverage starting in Medicare pays a set amount of money for their care every month to these private health plans whether or not members use services. In most of these plans, generally there are extra benefits and lower copayments that in the Original Medicare Plan. However, people may have to see doctors that belong to the plan or go to certain hospitals to get services.

21. People Who Choose a Medicare Advantage Plan
Still in Medicare program
Still have Medicare rights and protections
Still get all regular Medicare-covered services
May get extra benefits, such as vision, hearing, and dental
Can get prescription drug coverage starting 2006
It’s important to note that people who join a Medicare Advantage Plan or other Medicare Health Plan:
Are still in the Medicare program
Still have Medicare rights and protections
Still get all their regular Medicare-covered services offered under Part A and Part B
May get additional benefits offered through the plan, including Medicare prescription drug coverage starting in Other extra benefits could include coverage for vision, hearing, dental and/or health and wellness programs.

22. Costs in a Medicare Advantage or Other Medicare Health Plans
Generally, must continue to pay Part B premium
Some Medicare Advantage Plans may pay all or part
May pay additional monthly premium
Will have to pay other out-of-pocket costs (generally lower than in Original Medicare)
People who join a Medicare Advantage Plan or other Medicare Health Plan need to know:
They must continue to pay the monthly Medicare Part B premium $88 in However, some Medicare health plans may offer an additional benefit by reducing the amount members pay for their Medicare Part B premiums.
They may pay an additional monthly premium to the plan.
They will have to pay other costs (such as copayments or coinsurance) for the services they get. Generally, their out-of- pocket costs ins these plans are lower than in the Original Medicare Plan.

23. Medicaid and Medicare Savings Programs
Federal-state health insurance program
People with limited income and resources
Certain persons with disabilities
Eligibility determined by state
Application processes vary
Social Services
Public Assistance
Human Services
Medicare Savings Programs
Help from Medicaid paying Medicare premiums
For people with limited income and resources
May also pay Medicare deductibles and coinsurance
State-specific programs
Medicaid is a health insurance program for people with limited income and resources. Medicaid is jointly funded by the federal and state government, and is administered by each state. It can cover children; aged, blind, and disabled people; and some other groups, depending on the state. If eligible for both Medicaid and Medicare, most health care costs could be covered.
Medicaid eligibility is determined by each state, and Medicaid application processes and benefits vary from state to state. For instance, a person in Nebraska, would apply for benefits at Nebraska Medicaid.
Medicare Savings Programs are available to help people with limited income and resources pay for Medicare expenses. These programs frequently have higher income and resource guidelines than Medicaid.
Eligibility for these programs is determined by income and resource levels. The income amounts are updated annually with the Federal poverty level.
Additionally, some states offer their own programs to help people with Medicare pay the out-of-pocket costs of health care, including State Pharmacy Assistance Programs. Contact the State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) in your state (Nebraska) to find out which programs may be available to Medicare beneficiaries.

24. Options for Medicare Beneficiaries
Before the new prescription drug coverage
Traditional Medicare
Medicare Advantage (Part C or Medicare + Choice or MA)
Medicare HMO
Others (private fee-for-service plan, preferred provider organizations, health provider sponsored organizations)
Traditional Medicare + Medigap* (Medicare supplemental insurance)
Traditional Medicare + Medicaid (only for low income individuals also known as dual eligibles)
Traditional Medicare (or Medicare Advantage) + retiree plan (only for selected individuals)
There were various options for Medicare beneficiaries as outlined here, before Medicare’s new prescription drug coverage of 2006.
Beneficiaries may have Traditional or original Medicare (Part A and Part B) alone or with Medigap and Medicaid. Other may have traditional Medicare or Medicare advantage with retiree coverage plan in selected individuals.
We will discuss the various options after the new Medicare prescription drug coverage has become available in 2006 in the second module.
* Medicare supplemental private insurance (Medigap) intended to fill the “gaps” in traditional Medicare may or may not be sold, issued or renewed on or after 1/1/06

25. Summary Original Medicare (Part A and B)
Medicare Supplement Insurance/Medigap
Medicare Advantage and other Medicare Health Plans
Medicaid and Medicare Savings Programs
This module included information on Original Medicare, Medicare Supplement Insurance/Medigap, Medicare Advantage and other Medicare Health Plans, as well as Medicaid and Medicare Savings Programs.
Let’s review some key points.
Medicare is a national health insurance program administered by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services for people who are over age 65, or who have a disability or End-Stage Renal Disease. We discussed enrolling and paying for Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance) and Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance). The Medicare prescription drug coverage began January 1, We reviewed the difference between Medicare and Medigap, which is another name for Medicare Supplement Insurance. You learned about the choices available for how people get their Medicare coverage and the basics of how they work. Finally, we learned there are programs like Medicaid and Medicare Savings Programs to help with out-of- pocket costs. And most importantly, you know where to get more information.
We are sure that jack and Jill are more knowledgeable about the basics of Medicare. This completes the first module on basics of Medicare. To complete the question for credit for this module, please close out of this module, and advance to the question in blackboard, then answer the question and review the answer. Then, when ready, proceed to module #2 where we will continue our discussion on the new Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage.
Add question from word document on Module 1