Medicare is a federal health insurance program offer by the US government originally designed to provide coverage for retirees over age 65. Medicare coverage has grown to include people younger than 65 as well with certain illnesses and disabilities. In order to avail of the benefits of this insurance, you must be a US citizen or a permanent legal resident to be eligible for Medicare insurance. You are a permanent legal resident if you have lived in the United States for at least five consecutive years.

Entry requirements:

If you meet the citizenship or resident requirements, you may enroll in MedicareMedicare once you meet one of the following entry requirements:

• Age 65 or older
• Under 65 years old but have a certain disability.

How does MedicareMedicare work?

The basic program is called original MedicareMedicare, and it provides the following two types of insurance benefits:

Part A

Part A of MedicareMedicare provides institutional benefits. You are covered under Part A when you use any of the services listed below:

• Inpatient hospital visits
• Hospice care
• Skilled nursing care
• Home healthcare

When you use Part A benefits, you should expect to pay some of the costs out of pocket. It is important to note that Part A does not pay 100 percent of every expense. You must pay the Part A deductible before MedicareMedicare begins paying benefits.

Part B

 Part B of Medicare provides benefits for outpatient medical services. As such, it covers services and procedures like:

• Doctor visits
• Therapy visits (physical, occupational)
• Diagnostic testing, including lab work, X-rays, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
• Certain cancer treatments such as chemotherapy

Original Medicare does not cover prescription drugs. It means that you must pay for them out of pocket or enroll in a Medicare drug plan.

Role of an Experienced Medicare Broker

Since MedicareMedicare can be complicated to interpret for any person new to the program, most beneficiaries seek the assistance of Best Medicare Brokers in Kentucky. Experienced agents specialize in medicare insurance products and are able to provide a welcome service to put the plans on laymen's terms.

Medicare agents are aware of different carrier guidelines, rate increases, and limitations that you won't easily find online. Therefore, they can help you decide which level of coverage is best for you, based on your needs and budget. They do this every day. If there are any, they'll spot issues and give you helpful advice based on their experience.

You can look for an agent locally or take your search online. To find a local agent, start by asking your current insurance agents (health, life, auto, homeowners) for a referral. Even if they do not handle Medicare plans, there's a good chance that they know someone who does.

You can also check with your local Area Council on Aging office. They are an excellent resource when you are new to MedicareMedicare and have questions or are looking for the Most Experienced Medicare Brokers.

If you are interested in taking your search online, look for an independent broker representing multiple companies. Ask them about service after the sale, and don't be pressured to fill out an application until you are satisfied with the recommended Medicare plan.