Section

ORIGINAL MEDICARE

Original Medicare is divided into Part A (Hospital Insurance) and Part B (Medical Insurance). Part A helps pay for inpatient hospital care, some skilled nursing care, home health care and hospice care. Part B helps pay for doctor services, outpatient hospital care, durable medical equipment, home health care not covered by Part A, and other services.

Medicare was never intended to pay 100% of medical bills. Its purpose is to help pay a portion of medical expenses. Medicare beneficiaries also pay a portion of their medical expenses, which includes deductibles, co-payments, and services not covered by Medicare.

The amounts of deductibles and co-payments change at the beginning of each year.

Part A - Monthly Premium

If you are eligible, Part A is free because you or your spouse paid Medicare taxes while you were working. You earn Social Security "credits" as you work and pay taxes. For each year that you work, you earn 4 credits.

You will receive Medicare Part A for free if you meet one of the following criteria:

• You are 65 or older, and you receive or are eligible to receive full benefits from Social Security or the Railroad Retirement Board