Medicare

at a glance
Understanding your health insurance options.

This guide is provided by UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company, insurer of the AARP Medicare Supplement Insurance Plans.

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When it comes to Medicare,

a little planning goes a long way.

Medicare Decision Path
STEP 1

Learn the Basics Understand how Medicare works and what it covers.
STEP 2

Choose your path

Medicare Parts A & B Medicare Advantage Plan (Part C)

Hospital (Part A) & medical (Part B) coverage through the government, both available when youre 65.

Hospital and medical coverage through private insurance companies, available when youre 65.

STEP 3

STEP 3

Cover my Prescriptions Part D helps pay for medications not covered by Medicare. Available through private insurance companies.

Cover my Prescriptions Some Part C plans offer Part D drug coverage and some plans may have an extra cost or premium.

STEP 4

STEP 4

Explore my Supplemental Choices Medicare supplement insurance pays some of the out-of-pocket costs Medicare doesnt.

Explore my Part C Choices Different Medicare Advantage plans are available, such as PPO, HMO and PFFS.

STEP 5

STEP 5

Choose my Supplemental Plan Review your options and make your decision.

Choose my Part C Plan Review your options and make your decision.

Medicare Basics
What is Medicare?
Medicare is a federal health insurance program for people age 65 and over, as well as for some people under age 65 with certain disabilities. Since 1965, it has helped millions of Americans pay for many of the health care services they need. You most likely have already paid into the program through Social Security.

What does Medicare cover?

The ABCs (and D) of Medicare Medicare coverage is divided into four parts: A, B, C and D.

Part A
Hospital insurance that helps cover much of the cost of inpatient hospital stays, skilled nursing facility stays, and home health and hospice care. You are responsible for paying the Part A deductible as well as all copayments that apply.

Part C
Also called Medicare Advantage, these are plans from Medicareapproved private insurers that cover the same hospital and medical services as Parts A and B. Some plans include prescription drug coverage (Part D), plus extra benefits like vision, dental, hearing and/or health and wellness programs. There may be an extra cost for these benefits.

Part B
Medical insurance that helps cover physician services, outpatient care and laboratory services. However, you are responsible for paying the Part B premium and up to 20% or more in Part B medical expenses. In addition, you will need to meet the Part B annual deductible.

Part D
Prescription drug insurance that gives you the option to receive drug coverage for a monthly premium. Part D is available to everyone who is eligible for Medicare and is offered by private insurers that contract with the federal government.

Will Medicare pay all my health care expenses?

No. As good as Medicare is, it doesnt cover everything. You may be responsible for paying deductibles, copayments and up to 20% or more in Part B medical expenses. These expenses can add up. That may be why many Americans choose to supplement their Medicare coverage with a Medicare supplement insurance plan. It can help pay some of the out-of-pocket expenses Medicare may not pay. (Read on to learn more about how Medicare and a Medicare supplement plan can work together to meet your needs.)

How do I enroll in Medicare?

If youre eligible for Social Security or Railroad Retirement benefits when you turn 65, youll be automatically enrolled in Medicare Part A (hospital) and be able to enroll in Part B (medical). Otherwise, if you want to enroll, you can sign up at your local Social Security office as early as three months before turning 65.

When should I enroll in Medicare?

Nobody is required to have Medicare. It is entirely your choice. But if you do want to sign up for Medicare Part B, keep in mind that there are important consequences if you dont meet your enrollment deadline and then decide to join the program later (you may have to pay more). Your own deadline depends on which enrollment period fits your circumstances:

Use this enrollment period to sign up for Medicare at age 65

Initial Enrollment Period: A 7-month period that begins 3 months before the month of your 65th birthday... and ends 3 months after that month. For example, if you will turn 65 in June, your enrollment period spans from March 1st to September 30th.

Use this enrollment period if youve delayed enrollment beyond age 65 If you didnt enroll in Medicare Part B during Special Enrollment...

Special Enrollment Period: The 8 months following the time you (or your employed spouse) stop working or your health coverage ends (whichever comes first). However, you can enroll in Medicare Part B sooner than this to ensure no break in coverage. Medicare benefits begin the first day of the month after you enroll.

General Enrollment Period: If you didnt enroll in Medicare Part B during your Special Enrollment Period, you will have to wait until the next General Enrollment period (January 1 through March 31 of each year). You may have to pay a higher premium for late enrollment (a 10% premium penalty for each year you delayed).

Need Help?

Medicare & You Call 1-800-MEDICARE or visit www.medicare.gov to receive a free copy of the official Medicare handbook.

Social Security Administration 1-800-772-1213 TTY: 1-800-325-0778

AARP Web site www.aarp.org

Why choose Medicare supplement insurance?

Pay less out of your own pocket. All Medicare supplement plans are standardized by the government and offered by private insurance companies, including AARP Medicare Supplement Plans, insured by UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company (UnitedHealthcare). Theyre designed to help pay some of the out-of-pocket costs Medicare doesn't. Some plans even cover copayments and deductibles. As a result, having Medicare supplement insurance could help prevent you from paying up to thousands of dollars* toward medical services that you would have been responsible for. Heres how...

Medicare pays:
Part A: All fees for covered stays in the hospital except the Part A deductible and coinsurance amounts Part B: About 80% of Part B covered doctor and outpatient medical expenses (after the annual deductible is met)

Without a Medicare supplement plan

With a Medicare supplement plan

You pay:
The Part A deductible and coinsurance amounts that apply Usually a Part B premium About 20% or more in Part B medical expenses Part B annual deductible

Medicare supplement insurance pays:

Part A coinsurance, and most plans pay the hospital deductible Up to 20% or more in out-of-pocket costs not paid by Part B

You pay:
Monthly premiums Limited out-of-pocket costs

depending on your plan

When can I sign up?

The best time to buy a Medicare supplement plan is during your six-month open enrollment period which starts the first month in which you are age 65 and enrolled in Part B (except in the states of MA, MN and VT, where open enrollment is on-going). Thats because enrolling during this period gives you a guaranteed right to buy any Medicare supplement plan sold in your state, regardless of any medical conditions you may have. (Please call for other situations in which your acceptance may be guaranteed.) If you delayed enrollment in Medicare Part B beyond your Open Enrollment Period, you can still apply for a Medicare supplement plan as long as you are enrolled in Medicare Parts A & B and you are not duplicating health insurance coverage.
*Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC). A Data Book: Healthcare Spending and the Medicare Program, June 2011. http://www.medpac.gov/Documents/Jun11DataBookEntireReport.pdf (10 August, 2011) p. 55-57.

Questions?

Call 1-866-419-9322, Monday to Friday, 7 a.m. to 11 p.m., and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m, ET. (TTY users should call: 711.) A friendly licensed insurance agent will guide you through all your available AARP Medicare Supplement Plan options. Or visit GoLong.com

UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company P.O. Box 1017 Montgomeryville, PA 18936

Questions?
Call 1-866-419-9322
Monday to Friday, 7 a.m. to 11 p.m., and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m, ET (TTY users should call: 711) A friendly licensed insurance agent will guide you through all your available AARP Medicare Supplement Plan options.

Or visit: GoLong.com

AARP endorses the AARP Medicare Supplement Insurance Plans, insured by UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company. UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company pays royalty fees to AARP for the use of its intellectual property. These fees are used for the general purposes of AARP. AARP and its affiliates are not insurers. AARP does not employ or endorse agents, brokers or producers. Insured by UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company, Horsham, PA (UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company of New York, Islandia, NY for New York residents.) Policy form No. GRP 79171 GPS-1 (G-36000-4). In some states plans may be available to persons eligible for Medicare by reason of disability. Not connected with or endorsed by the U.S. Government or the federal Medicare program. This is a solicitation of insurance. A licensed insurance agent/producer may contact you. Call to receive complete information including benefits, costs, eligibility requirements, exclusions and limitations.