General Medicare Articles

Articles, guides and FAQs on Original Medicare and Medicare process topics

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What is Medicare

What is Medicare?

September 13, 2021

Medicare is a federal program that provides health care coverage at a small cost. It can be an overwhelming topic to navigate alone! We’re here to break the basics. What does Medicare cover? Original Medicare coverage is broken into two parts: Part A and Part B. It’s accepted by nearly every doctor and hospital in…

Medicare Supplemental Dental Insurance

Medicare Supplemental Dental Insurance

August 30, 2021

Medicare alone does not cover dental care. Since oral health is vital to your overall well-being, you may want to consider buying supplemental dental insurance to help cover the costs. Dental costs can get out of hand quickly. You don’t want to be stuck paying out-of-pocket, especially if you need a procedure like a root…

What is Supplement Medicare Insurance?

What is Supplement Medicare Insurance?

August 26, 2021

What is Supplement Medicare Insurance? It goes by many names. You may have already heard of one of these variations: Medicare Supplement Insurance Supplemental Medicare Medigap Medicare Gap Insurance All of these terms refer to the same thing: a type of insurance plan you can purchase to round out your Medicare coverage. What does Medicare…

When can you get Medicare?

When can you get Medicare?

August 9, 2021

As you enter your mid-sixties, you’ll notice a change. Mail will start to arrive, emails will hit your inbox, and your internet ads will start to be about the same topic: Medicare. While you’re likely familiar with the generalities of Medicare, you probably don’t know the deep details (and no one will blame you for…

5 Things to know about your Medicare card

5 Things to Know About Your Medicare Card

August 2, 2021

Shortly after you enroll in Medicare, Social Security will send you a red, white, and blue Medicare card in the mail. Your Medicare card will show your unique Medicare number, the date your coverage starts, and which parts of Medicare you have (Parts A and/or B). Your Medicare card will not show if you have…

How is Medicare funded

How is Medicare funded?

July 19, 2021

You might be wondering how Medicare works, especially since many people are eligible for premium-free Part A coverage. It must be paid for by someone, right? The federal Medicare program is overseen by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). It is funded by two trust fund accounts held by the U.S. Treasury. These…

What is HHS?

What is HHS?

July 12, 2021

HHS stands for the United States Department of Health and Human Services. This department oversees the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), and is a common term found in the Medicare industry. The HHS is comprised of eleven operating divisions, including eight agencies, such as the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), National Institutes of…

What does CMS stand for

What does CMS stand for?

June 28, 2021

When you start Medicare research, you’ll likely come across many unfamiliar terms and acronyms that can make the process frustrating. We’ve created a helpful glossary of terms (located here) to help remove some of the confusion. One acronym you’ve likely already come across a lot is “CMS”. CMS stands for the Centers for Medicare and…

Sign up for Medicare

Do I Sign up for Medicare if I am Covered By My Spouse’s Insurance?

March 22, 2021

Most people become eligible to enroll in Medicare insurance at age 65. This includes eligability for Medicare Part A, Part B, Part D, and Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap). While many people enroll in Medicare at this time, it may not be necessary if you are covered by your spouse’s employer-provided health care plan. If you…

Does Medicare Cover Eye Exams

Guide to Medicare Vision Coverage

March 11, 2021

Does Medicare cover eye exams and other vision care? Did you know that Medicare doesn’t include vision care? A common misconception is that Original Medicare covers all areas of health care, leading many people to overlook important coverage for their dental, vision, and hearing needs. To address this gap in Medicare coverage, private insurance carriers…