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The short answer is: Yes, the vast majority (over 90%) of non-pediatric hospitals in the U.S. accept Original Medicare. However, “Accepting Medicare” is not a simple yes-or-no checkbox. There are nuances involving provider networks, specific doctor contracts, and facility types (such as VA hospitals) that can leave patients with unexpected bills. This guide explains exactly…
Have questions about Social Security and Medicare? Though they differ in benefits and eligibility, these two programs work together to provide you with financial security and healthcare coverage in your retirement years.
Here’s what you need to know about both programs, including eligibility, benefits and costs, and how you coordinate them.
Medicare Part A and Part B provide the exact same benefits for all Medicare beneficiaries throughout the country no matter their age or location. Why is it, then, that premiums for that coverage can vary greatly? High-Income Levels Mean Higher Premiums Higher premium rates apply to individuals who have incomes above $109,000 and couples above…
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) have officially released changes to Medicare premiums and deductibles for 2026. The confirmed numbers are below. Medicare Part B Premiums and IRMAA for 2026 Medicare Part B is essential for medical coverage, and its standard monthly premium in 2026 is $202.90, around 18 dollars more than the standard premium…
Original Medicare shares the cost of medical care with enrollees through deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance payments. With this cost-sharing structure, many people may worry about whether their coverage might run out — specifically, if their benefits are subject to a lifetime limit. In reality, the concept of a lifetime limit in Medicare may not work…
Most Original Medicare beneficiaries are responsible for some out-of-pocket costs, such as deductibles, premiums, copays, and coinsurance. But the cost that often worries or frustrates enrollees the most is the Part B excess charge. Excess charges can run up to 15% of Medicare-approved amounts and catch beneficiaries off guard if they don’t know what to…
Serious illnesses affect more than just your health, and oftentimes, day-to-day tasks feel overwhelming. Making breakfast depletes your energy. Pain disrupts your sleep. Multiple doctor appointments fill your calendar. While your medical treatments target the illness itself, you need support managing these daily challenges. Medicare benefits for serious illness recognize this reality. Medicare includes palliative…
Telehealth has existed in one form or another since the early 20th century. It’s shifted over time, from electronic medical record transfers and video consultations in the 1940s and 50s, to electronically transmitting X-rays in the 1970s. When the pandemic struck in 2020, telehealth usage skyrocketed and helped countless people receive the care they needed.…
Most adults with access to healthcare are familiar with the yearly physical: the annual appointment where your doctor reviews your medical and family history and performs physical exams — taking your measurements, checking your reflexes, collecting samples for testing — to assess your body’s health. However, when you enroll in Medicare, you are entitled to…
Social Security and Medicare aren’t a package deal. You pick when to start Social Security — anywhere from 62 to 70. Medicare has its own timeline at age 65. Sign up for these programs at the wrong times, and you could face coverage gaps or higher premiums. Getting the timing right keeps your healthcare costs…
