Medicare

Medicare is a federal health insurance program that provides coverage for people 65 or older; people under 65 with certain disabilities who have received Social Security or Railroad Retirement Disability benefits for more than 24 months and people of any age with End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) (permanent kidney failure requiring dialysis or a kidney transplant).  

Medicare has four parts:

• Medicare Part A – Hospital Insurance
• Medicare Part B – Medical Insurance
• Medicare Part C (also known as Medicare Advantage)
• Medicare Part D – Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage

 
The Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Plan covers most prescription drugs that a Medicare beneficiary would be prescribed.  Certain drugs and vaccines are covered under Medicare Part B. It is recommended that people receiving supports from OPWDD who have Medicare, and are Medicaid eligible, enroll in “benchmark” plans.  These plans have been determined to meet a certain standard of coverage and there are no premiums or deductibles for people enrolled in both Medicare and Medicaid.