Are you aware of the Medicare benefits for seniors? Medicare is a healthcare insurance program for seniors over the age of 65. It’s a valuable program yet many people don’t know most of the Medicare benefits for seniors. It covers a great deal of seniors needs and make’s healthcare expenses predictable. 

Medicare Benefits for Seniors

Medicare consists of four parts: Part A, Part B, Part C and Part D.

• Part A covers inpatient hospital care, home care (if prescribed), and some skilled nursing.
• Part B covers outpatient physician and hospital services, durable medical equipment and some health services.
• Part C allows private companies or insurers to offer health insurance that provide at least similar benefits of Part A & B. Most will also cover prescription drugs as well as dental and vision. However, they offer a limited choice of providers for cost management purposes.
• Medicare Part D offers prescription drug benefits through private insurers. People who opt for Medicare Part D do so at additional monthly premiums.

Long Term Care Benefits

Medicare is the primary medical insurance program for most seniors. However, it doesn’t cover costs for most types of long-term care such as dementia care and Alzheimer’s. When it pays for such care, however, it will only be in a limited capacity. Medicare may not be designed to provide long-term care to its beneficiaries but there are several benefits for seniors on a short-term basis.

• In-Home Care

Medicare will cover skilled nursing given at home for a limited time period. However, such care must be prescribed by a doctor and needed only part-time. The senior must be homebound-unable to leave the home without another person’s assistance.

• Skilled Nursing Facilities

Medicare will cover the full cost of skilled nursing care for up to 20 days at a skilled nursing facility and about 80% of the cost up to 80 more days. The care must be for recovery after an inpatient hospital stay.

• Assisted Living and Adult Day Care Communities

Medicare doesn’t cover any costs for assisted living and adult day care. However, it will cover most medical expenses incurred while the senior is in assisted living.

• Alzheimer’s / Dementia Care

Unfortunately, Medicare doesn’t cover the costs for Alzheimer’s care. This is because most of the care given to patients with Alzheimer’s is categorized as personal care, which is not covered by Medicare. However, it will pay for any medical care associated with Alzheimer’s. Late-stage Alzheimer’s patients may be eligible for a hospice benefit.

• Hospice

Medicare covers hospice coverage for patients who are terminally ill and have been determined by doctors to have less than six months to live. Medicare hospice may not cover the costs of the board and room, but it covers prescription drugs, medical expenses and homemaker services. Although hospice is mostly given in-home, one may opt for in-patient care.

Bottom Line

There are plenty of Medicare benefits for seniors. Once you sign up for medicare, you typically don’t have to renew your enrollment. Learn as much as you can about Medicare and don’t shy away from asking for help from professionals.