This topic provides general information and details of hospital and medical benefits under Part A and Part B insurance. Medicare is a federal health insurance program for people sixty-five years or older, disabled people under sixty five who have received Social Security disability benefits for more than two years, and certain people with kidney disease. A booklet explaining current Medicare benefits called The Medicare Handbook is available from your nearest Social Security office. You can call Social Security to receive a copy for this year. Patients covered by Medicare pay deductibles, co-payments and physician charges above the Medicare approved amount.
Patients also pay for prescription drugs.
Medicare does not pay for prescription drugs, except when given at the hospital. People sixty-five and older are automatically eligible for Medicare Part A payments, if eligible for Social Security Retirement benefits or Railroad Retirement benefits. If not automatically eligible for Medicare Part A benefits, most persons sixty-five and older may buy Part A benefits. People under age sixty-five who have received Social Security Disability benefits for more than two years are automatically eligible for Medicare Part A coverage. Some people who are on kidney dialysis or who have had a kidney transplant also are automatically eligible.