Medicare is a federal health care program with four parts. Part A is insurance for hospital and other in-patient care and Part B is for outpatient care. Parts A and B are what’s known as “Original Medicare.”
Part D is for prescription drug coverage and is contracted through private insurance companies who offer a variety of different plans depending on what your health care needs are, where you live, how much you can afford to pay, and what pharmacy you use. There are also private health insurance companies that contract with Medicare to offer Part C/Medicare Advantage Plans.
Part C of Medicare typically will cover the same benefits that are covered under Original Medicare and can also include your Part D prescription drug coverage, but Part C plans have their own fee systems and administrative rules that clients must follow (see below for more information).
- Medicare Eligibility
Find out if you’re eligible for Medicare - Medicare A & B Benefits
An at-a-glance chart of Original Medicare’s benefits and costs
Medicare’s Private Insurance Options
Some Medicare beneficiaries choose to get access to health care coverage through private Medicare Advantage/Part C Plans, instead of staying on Original Medicare. Or, they may choose to buy a Medicare Supplemental Insurance/Medigap Plan to pay for the extra costs that are left over after Original Medicare pays for their benefits. Options include:
Medicare Advantage/Health Plans (Part C)
- Medicare Advantage: Things to Consider
A brief summary of what Medicare Advantage plans are and what to consider before enrolling - Find Medicare Advantage and Medigap plans in Whatcom County
Medicare’s website allows you to easily compare Medigap policies and Advantage plans in your area
Medigap (Medicare Supplement) Plans
- 12 Standardized Medigap Plans
Find out which medical expenses not covered by Medicare are covered by each Medigap plan - Approved Medigap Plans
List of Medigap plans available in Whatcom County by insurance company
Help Affording Medicare
- Medicare Savings Programs
Medicare Savings Programs are a state-administered program offered locally by the Washington Department of Social Health Services (DSHS). If your income is 135% of the Federal Poverty Level or below and you meet certain asset requirements, DSHS will pay for your Medicare Part A premium (if any), your Part B premium, any late enrollment penalties you may for Part A and/or Part B, and in some cases, may pay for some further medical costs left over after Medicare pays. If you would like more info on how to qualify for this program or to get help applying, please call (360) 788-6533 and leave us a message today! - Check what programs you qualify for
- Health Care Options for People with Disabilities
Public options for seniors and people living with disabilities by income level
Medicare Part D Tools
Medicare’s Prescription Drug Program (Part D) helps seniors and people with disabilities cover the cost of prescription drugs. Medicare contracts with different prescription drug plans and each plan covers different prescription drugs so review the plans carefully to make sure that the plan meets your or your client’s needs.
Compare Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Plans
Did you know that EVERYONE with Medicare qualifies to have prescription drug coverage? But with dozens of options, choosing a Medicare-subsidized prescription insurance plan can be confusing. The only way to pick a plan is to choose one that covers all of your drugs at the lowest annual cost. How? There are three options:
- Call 1-800-Medicare and give them your list of drugs; they will send you a comparison of your three most affordable options
- OR, use Medicare’s online plan finder — either way, you’ll need your list of drugs, as well as your Medicare number and effective date found on your red, white, and blue Medicare card
- OR, if you are unable to use the online Medicare Plan Finder or have problems with 1-800-Medicare, request plan-finding assistance from one of the Whatcom Medicare Part D Coalition partner agencies by mailing in this form
“Extra Help” from Social Security to Help Pay for Medicare Part D
For lower-income people, Social Security may help pay for all or part of your Medicare Part D prescription drug premium, and lower the co-payments on each drug
Other Resources for Seniors
Tips for Helping Clients with Both Medicare and Medicaid
Assistance for those who are eligible for both Medicaid and Medicare to trouble-shoot their prescription drug problems
Medicare Rights Center
Simple explanations of your Medicare consumer rights
National Council on Aging
A wealth of free information and resources for seniors and their caregivers
Northwest Regional Council’s Senior Information and Assistance
Senior Information and Assistance has free, comprehensive, local information and resources for seniors and their caregivers
Whatcom County Senior Centers
Check out what activities and programs your local Senior Centers have to offer