It is open enrollment season for Medicare, but the window to register for these essential health plans is limited. If you or someone you love is 65 years of age or older, knowing how to register for Medicare plans is essential.
Original Medicare is a longstanding and well-beloved healthcare plan that is used by millions of Americans. Although there has been a lot of advertising for the insurance product known as Medicare Advantage, Heart of Texas Healthcare System encourages local residents to consider the benefits of Original Medicare.
“Choosing the most popular option really has its benefits when it comes to receiving healthcare in McCulloch County,” says Tim Jones, CEO of Heart of Texas Healthcare System. “Seniors in our community rely heavily on the benefits of Original Medicare for their hospital, medical providers, and prescription drug coverages, and we want to make sure we can continue to provide them with continuity of services.”
The Original Medicare program began in 1965 when President Lyndon B. Johnson signed a bill that led to the formation of both the Medicare and Medicaid programs. Over the years, Congress has made many changes to the Medicare program that expanded coverage and made more people eligible for benefits.
Today, there are three essential parts of Medicare: Part A, Part B, and Part D.
Medicare Part A provides hospital insurance, covering in-patient care in hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, hospice care, and home health care.
Medicare Part B provides medical insurance for services from doctors and medical providers, out-patient care, durable medical equipment, and many preventative health services (screenings, vaccinations, and wellness visits.
Medicare Part D provides drug coverage, covering part of the cost of prescription drugs and many recommended vaccinations.
A fourth option, known as Medicare Part C or Medicare Advantage, is a Medicare-approved plan from a private company that offers an alternative to original Medicare for health and drug coverage. It essentially bundles Parts A, B, and D. In most cases, Medicare Advantage requires you to use doctors in the plan’s network, which can create confusion for patients and limit their choice in medical providers.
In general, services offered through Medicare Part A and Part B (also known as Original Medicare) require fewer pre-approvals and result in fewer restrictions than Medicare Advantage plans. Despite efforts to sell Medicare Advantage plans by private insurance companies, Heart of Texas Healthcare System, prefers patients choose Original Medicare. This option ensures a more seamless experience when it comes to receiving healthcare from the hospital, most local medical providers, and other programs and services offered by Heart of Texas Healthcare System.
Although Medicare Advantage plans sometimes offer certain perks not available through Original Medicare, they can also limit your choice of providers and can require more referrals for healthcare services.
Regardless of the plans you choose, ensuring health insurance coverage is essential. Open enrollment for Medicare began on Oct. 15. Qualifying individuals have the opportunity to enroll or make changes to their existing plans during this limited-time window, which ends on Dec. 7.
For more information regarding Medicare and to learn about your choice of healthcare for individuals ages 65 and older, please visit www.choosingmedicare.org or call 325-792-3937 to speak with a member of the HTHS team.
To learn more about local healthcare programs and services in McCulloch County, visit www.heartoftexashealthcare.org.
About Heart of Texas Healthcare System
Heart of Texas Healthcare System provides healthcare for residents of McCulloch County and the surrounding area. Founded in 2011, the system offers many medical services, including 24-hour emergency care, advanced radiology services, a clinical laboratory, dialysis services, physical therapy, surgical services, patient education, sleep studies, and more. The system also owns and operates Brady Medical Clinic, which provides family medicine, preventive care, and acute care for minor emergencies. For additional information, please visit www.heartoftexashealthcare.org.