Medicare in Colorado – How to Enroll

While some people may still complain about the mandates associated with Obamacare, they are perfectly fine with the concept of Medicare.  In reality, the two healthcare systems are not all that different.  Both ensure that people have access to healthcare based on their ability to pay into a government-run system and both have associated forms of coverage that are run by outside health insurance companies.  That being said, there are many aspects of Medicare that people are not familiar with, and they must become so by the time they reach retirement age.

If you are a citizen of Colorado who is 65 or older or you are a person with a disability, your Medicare Part A insurance will cover inpatient hospital stays and other hospitalization.  Medicare Part B is designed specifically for visits to the doctor and other outpatient services.  However, neither plan is designed to cover everything.  Part D, for example, covers prescription drugs for seniors who are already enrolled in Medicare, but Part D is not free.  These is where the outside insurance companies step in and try to sell seniors “a la carte” coverage based on their individual needs.  Known as “Medicare Supplemental Insurance,” this coverage may not always cost the same from one insurance carrier to the next, but each insurer must offer identical coverage for each “part” or supplement.

Now that you know a little more about how Medicare works, it is important to understand how to apply for coverage.  It may be a lot simpler than you expected.  For example, if you are already receiving Social Security benefits you will automatically be enrolled in Medicare Part and Medicare Part B.  The actual coverage begins on the first day of the first month after you turn 65.  A Medicare card will usually arrive in the mail a few months prior to a senior’s 65^th birthday.  However, this doesn’t mean they are automatically enrolled in any supplemental programs.

Known as Medicare Parts A, F, High Deductible F, G and n, each of these standardized healthcare plans provide a different level of coverage.   This is where it can become a little confusing to seniors, because at the same time they are being offered Medicare Advantage Plans from the same outside insurance companies.  Don’t confuse a Medicare Advantage plan with a Medicare supplement; they are not the same thing.  Medicare Advantage is closer to being a “managed care” program.  It simplifies the selection of supplemental plans by preselecting the most popular combinations of coverage and managing that in conjunction with your Part A and B Medicare insurance.  While it may seem simpler than the alternatives, be sure to compare prices on these plans and read the fine print.

For the best advice on Medicare supplement insurance, work with a seasoned health insurance broker.  Michael Horvat is a health insurance expert and broker with HealthQuotes.com in Colorado Springs, CO.  If you are searching for Colorado health insurance plans or quotes, please give Michael a call anytime at 800-345-0789.