b'Medicare Defined The Parts of MedicareMedicare is the federal health insurance programMedicare Part Aadministered by the Centers for Medicare and MedicaidHospital InsuranceServices (CMS), for individuals who: Part A insurance helps cover inpatient care in hospitals. reach age 65 or older, or It also helps cover care in skilled nursing facilities(non-custodial), hospice, and home health care.receive Social Security disability benefits for over 24 months, or Medicare Part B Medical Insurancehave End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD), or receive disability benefits for Amyotrophic LateralPart B insurance helps cover doctors services andSclerosis (ALS)outpatient care. Part B also helps cover some preventive services to maintain health and to keep certain illnessesApplying for Medicare from getting worse.To apply for Medicare, contact your local Social SecurityMedicare Part C Administration (SSA) office or call 1-800-772-1213 toMedicare Advantage Plansenroll in Medicare Part A and Part B, three months prior to your 65th birthday. You can also apply online atPart C insurance replaces the traditional Part A and Part B www.medicare.gov.coverage. Part C plans are Medicare Advantage HMO, PPO,or Point of Service (POS) plans run by private companies If you are already collecting Social Security retirementapproved by Medicare. These plans may offer other coverage benefits, your enrollment in Medicare at age 65 is usuallyincluding prescription drugs.automatic.Medicare Part DPrescription Drug CoveragePart D insurance helps cover the cost of outpatient prescription drugs. The federal government sets aminimum standard of benefits that must be coveredINFO by Part D plans. Standard Part D plans may include a*Conversation Startercoverage gap (doughnut hole).Before you reach age 65, arrange to speak withEnhanced Medicare Part D Plansyour doctors office about your transition toEnhanced Medicare Part D Plans have a higher actuarial Medicare. Confirm that your provider acceptsvalue than a basic Part D plan. Out-of-pocket expenses Medicare, and where applicable, Medicareare generally lower, and continued coverage through the Advantage plans. You may also take thecoverage gap may be offered. opportunity to discuss the types of healthinsurance coverage CTPF offers to members on Medicare. They may ask you to provide plan information in advance. Your CTPF Health Insurance Handbook can provide some of the information they might need and the health plans contact information is in the back of the book.26 CTPF 2023 HEALTH INSURANCE HANDBOOKCTPF 2023 HEALTH INSURANCE HANDBOOK'