Medicare
Coverage
Who qualifies for Medicare?
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Generally, Medicare eligibility is for people aged 65 or older, or for those under 65 with specific disabilities, End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD), or ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease).
Medicare is divided into different parts
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Part A (Hospital Insurance): Covers inpatient hospital care, skilled nursing facility care, hospice care, and some home health care.
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Part B (Medical Insurance): Covers outpatient care, doctor’s visits, preventive services, and some home health care.
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Part C (Medicare Advantage): An alternative to Original Medicare (Parts A and B), offered by private insurance companies approved by Medicare. Medicare Advantage plans often include additional benefits like vision, dental, and prescription drug coverage.
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Part D (Prescription Drug Coverage): Provides prescription drug coverage, which can be added to Original Medicare or bundled with a Medicare Advantage plan.
Medicare in Michigan
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If you’re 65 or older, you will generally enroll in Medicare during your 7-month Initial Enrollment Period, which starts 3 months before your 65th birthday. If you miss this window, you may have to pay a penalty for late enrollment, especially for Part B.
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Medicare Advantage Plans: Michigan has a wide range of Medicare Advantage plans available to residents. These plans may offer additional benefits not covered by Original Medicare and may also have lower out-of-pocket costs. Popular Medicare Advantage providers in Michigan include Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, Humana, and Aetna.
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Medigap (Supplemental Insurance): Medigap policies help cover out-of-pocket costs that Medicare doesn't pay, such as copayments, coinsurance, and deductibles. In Michigan, Medigap policies follow federal rules but are offered by private companies.
