Medicare is health insurance for people 65 or older, people under 65 with certain disabilities, and people of any age with End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) (permanent kidney failure requiring dialysis or a kidney transplant).

Medicare covers certain medical services and supplies in hospitals, doctors' offices, and other health care settings.  Services are either covered under Part A or Part B.

Part A (Hospital Insurance) helps cover:

• Inpatient care in hospitals
• Inpatient care in a skilled nursing facility (not custodial or long-term care)
• Hospice care
• Home health care
• Inpatient care in a religious nonmedical health care institution

Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance) helps cover medically necessary doctors' services, outpatient care, home health services, durable medical equipment, and other medical services.  Part B also covers many preventive services.

Medicare does not cover everything.  If you need certain services that aren't covered under Medicare Part A or Part B, you'll have to pay for them yourself unless:

• You have coverage (including Medicaid) to cover the costs
• You are in a Medicare health plan that covers these services.

(Contact Pat for list of the preventive services - pat@medicareassurance.org or 734-679-2374)