Medicare is the federal government program that gives you health care coverage if you are 65 or older, or under 65 and have a disability, no matter what your income. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) is the federal agency that oversees Medicare.

This is different from Medicaid, which is a state and federal program offering health care coverage to people of most ages, but generally only those with low income.

Everyone starts with Original Medicare, the traditional fee-for-service program offered directly through the federal government. Most people keep it. In Original Medicare, you are covered to go to just about any doctors or hospital in the country. Everyone who has Medicare receives a “red, white and blue” Original Medicare card.

Medicare has different parts that cover inpatient services, outpatient services and prescription drugs at the pharmacy. You can get these parts through Original Medicare or from private plans.

Different parts of Medicare cover different services. You may hear about four parts of Medicare: Part A, Part B, Part C and Part D:

Part A (Hospital Insurance) covers most medically necessary hospital, skilled nursing facility, home health and hospice care. It is free if you have worked and paid Social Security taxes for at least 40 calendar quarters (10 years); you will pay a monthly premium if you have worked and paid taxes for less time.

Part B (Medical Insurance) covers most medically necessary doctors#, services, preventive care, durable medical equipment, hospital outpatient services, laboratory tests, X-rays, mental health care, and some home health and ambulance services. You pay a monthly premium for this coverage.

Medicare Part D (Prescription Drug Insurance) is the part of Medicare that provides outpatient prescription drug coverage. Part D is provided only through private insurance companies that have contracts with the government - it is never provided directly by the government (like Original Medicare is). Part D is optional for most people; whether you should take it depends on your current drug coverage and needs. If you want Part D, you must choose Part D coverage that works with your Medicare health benefits. If you have Original Medicare, choose a stand-alone Part D plan.

Medicare Part C is not a separate benefit. Part C is the part of Medicare policy that allows private health insurance companies to provide Medicare benefits. These Medicare private health plans, such as HMOs and PPOs, are sometimes known as Medicare Advantage plans.

Some people then choose to get their Medicare benefits through a Medicare private health plan (such as an HMO or PPO), instead of Original Medicare. These plans must offer at least the same benefits as Original Medicare but have different rules, costs and coverage restrictions. In a Medicare private health plan, you can get Parts A, B, and if you choose, D, all in one package. These plans must offer at least the same benefits as Original Medicare but have different rules, costs and coverage restrictions. Many different kinds of Medicare private health plans are available. You may pay a monthly premium for this coverage, in addition to your Part B premium.

A great resource for learning more about Medicare and getting your questions answered is the Medicare Rights Center (MRC) http://www.medicarerights.org It is the largest independent source of health care information and assistance in the United States for people with Medicare. Through the Consumer Hotline (800) 333-4114), MRC provides counseling to individuals who need answers to Medicare-related questions or help getting care. Hotline counselors are available 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. (Eastern Time) Monday through Friday.

As always, the Cayuga County Office for the Aging Health Insurance counselors are available by appointment only to assist Cayuga County seniors with problems with their Medicare insurance. To request an appointment, please contact the Office for the Aging at 253-1226.

Janet Taylor is an aging services specialist with the Cayuga County Office for the Aging.