Medicare 2019: What You Need to Know

M edicare has for a long time been the go-to insurance preference for most Americans aged 65 years old and above and who receive disability benefits for at least two years, etc. Its various plans have made the search for better health as well as a treatment much more comfortable for them. These plans come with different coverage, and one can choose whichever works best for them, and as well, combine them for ultimate benefit. The programs are Parts A, B, C, and D plus a few others. Part A covers inpatient hospital services, home health care services, skilled nursing facility care and hospice care and is offered automatically after retirement and attainment of 65 years. Part B covers outpatient care, medical supplies, doctor services and preventative care and validates after retirement. Part C includes added advantages to the two and is also known as Medicare Advantage Plan. It contains among other benefits special need plans. You enrol in it through a private insurer once you have become eligible for the first plans. Part D is Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage and is offered to members of Plan A and/B through a private insurer.Medicare 2019 has seen improvements in some of these parts, and they will affect coverage in the following ways:

• The acceleration of the Donut hole from 2020 to 2019 will- reduce coinsurance to 25% from previous 30% as well as increase discounts by brand name manufacturers of drugs to 70% from previous 50%.
• Biosimilar drugs will be treated in the Donut hole as brand-name drugs and also attract discounts of 70%.
• Beneficiary premiums for Part B and Part D will increase from 80% to 85%.
• Insurance companies will be unable to offer multiple similar plans in the same county.
• There will be a new Open Enrollment Period for Medicare Advantage Plans.

Enroll in Medicare through www.SocialSecurity.gov. Or call Social Security or visiting their offices in person. The Medicare Open Enrollment Dates are in place for those wishing to join or change plans. One can, therefore, do this between 15th October 2018 and 7th December 2018 and join plans for coverage to be effective 1st January 2019.