Resources:

On July 2010, the federal government established a web portal (www.healthcare.gov), to increase consumer awareness about their eligibility for specific healthcare insurance company information and about government programs.

Medicare is a federal government entitlement program. When individuals reach 65 years of age, they can receive their healthcare insurance from this program.

If Medicare seems confusing it is probably because of the different parts, you know anything the government is involved in cannot be simple. Below is a brief description of each part:

• Part A (Hospital Insurance) - covers most medically necessary hospital, skilled nursing facility, home health and hospice care. It is free if you have worked and paid Social Security taxes for at least 40 calendar quarters (10 years); you will pay a monthly premium if you have worked and paid taxes for less time.

• Part B (Medical Insurance) - covers most medically necessary doctors’ services, preventive care, durable medical equipment, hospital outpatient services, laboratory tests, x-rays, mental health care, and some home health and ambulance services. You pay a monthly premium for this coverage.

• Medicare Part C - is not a separate benefit. Part C is the part of Medicare policy that allows private health insurance companies to provide Medicare benefits. These Medicare private health plans, such as HMO's and PPO's, are sometimes known as Medicare Advantage plans. If you want, you can choose to get your Medicare coverage through a Medicare private health plan instead of Original Medicare. Medicare private health plans must offer at least the same benefits as Original Medicare (those covered under Parts A and B) but can do so with different rules, costs and coverage restrictions.You can also get Part D as part of the benefits package if you choose. Many different kinds of Medicare private health plans are available. You may pay a monthly premium for this coverage, in addition to your Part B premium.

• Medicare Part D (Prescription Drug Insurance) - is the part of Medicare that provides outpatient prescription drug coverage. Part D is provided only through private insurance companies that have contracts with the government—it is never provided directly by the government (like Original Medicare is). Part D is optional for most people; whether you should take it depends on your current drug coverage and needs. If you want Part D, you must choose Part D coverage that works with your Medicare health benefits. If you have Original Medicare, choose a stand-alone Part D plan.

Medicaid Programs Title XIX of the Social Security Act provides for a program of medical assistance for certain low-income individuals and families. The program is known as Medicaid in 49 state and Medi-Cal in California. Arizona is the only state without a Medicaid program similar to those existing in other states. Since 1982, Arizona has received federal funds under a demonstration waiver for an alternative medical assistance program (prepaid care) for low income person called the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS).

Medicaid is administered by state governments with partial federal funding. Coverage and benefits vary widely from state to state because the federal government sets minimum requirements and the states are free to enact more benefits. Thus each state designs its own Medicaid program within federal guidelines. The Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services (CMS) of the Bureau of Program Operations of the United Stated Department of Health and Human Services is responsible for the federal aspects of Medicaid. Medicaid is not so much an insurance program as it is an assistance program.

Other useful links:

• Empire Medicare Services

• The State Health Insurance Assistance Program

• Center for Medicare and Medicaid services

• The official U.S. Government site for people with Medicare