Supplement medicare — Portland, OR

Medicare Part A, which covers hospital stays, is often premium-free if you or your spouse contributed to Medicare taxes. However, Medicare Part B, for medical services, has a monthly premium. Prescription drug coverage (Part D) also has associated costs. Supplement plans add to these monthly expenses.

Medicare is the federal health insurance program for people 65 and older, and for younger individuals with specific disabilities or End-Stage Renal Disease. It provides coverage for hospitalizations (Part A) and medically necessary services (Part B), with optional prescription drug plans (Part D) and supplemental insurance.

Medicare typically does not cover most dental care, routine vision exams, hearing aids, cosmetic surgery, long-term custodial care, and alternative therapies like acupuncture. Many Portland residents find that supplemental plans are a good way to cover these common gaps in coverage.

To be eligible for Medicare, you generally need to be a U.S. citizen or a legal resident for at least five years. You must also be at least 65 years old, or younger if you have a qualifying disability or End-Stage Renal Disease. Meeting these basic eligibility criteria is necessary.

Your monthly Medicare costs depend on which parts of Medicare you enroll in. Part A may be premium-free, but Part B has a standard monthly premium that can be higher for individuals with higher incomes. Part D plans also have premiums, deductibles, and copays. Supplemental plans have their own premiums.

No, the standard monthly premium for Medicare Part B can change each year, and many people pay more than the base amount. Higher-income beneficiaries pay an Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount (IRMAA). Your specific Part B premium in Portland depends on your income.