Jeffrey Wade
Medicare is a federal health insurance program for people aged 65 and over. If you are under 65, you may still be eligible for Medicare if you have a disability, End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD), or Lou Gehrig's Disease (ALS). To sign up for Medicare, you will need to contact the Social Security Administration. The easiest and fastest way to do this is online, where you will need to create a secure my Social Security account. You can also apply by calling the Social Security Office or Railroad Retirement Board, depending on your situation.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Medicare Eligibility | Age 65 or older, permanent kidney failure, receiving Disability benefits, End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD), ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease) |
| Medicare Parts | Part A (Hospital Insurance), Part B (Medical Insurance), Part D (prescription drugs) |
| Enrollment Options | Online at Social Security, calling the Railroad Retirement Board, calling the listed number for the deaf or hard of hearing |
| Enrollment Considerations | Understanding enrollment periods, coverage options, and costs; comparing plans and finding one that suits specific requirements and budget |
| Alabama-Specific Considerations | Local coverage decisions are made by companies in Alabama that process claims for Medicare, determining what is medically necessary |
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What You'll Learn
Medicare Part A and Part B
Alabama residents can enrol in Original Medicare, which includes Part A and Part B. Original Medicare is a federal programme designed to help cover medical costs for people aged 65 and older, as well as certain younger people with disabilities.
Medicare Part A covers hospital costs, including inpatient healthcare services, and limited care in a skilled nursing facility or at home. Part A also includes hospice care. If you are enrolled in Part B during the general enrolment period but not Part A, you can choose to enrol in Part A separately.
Medicare Part B covers general medical services, including medically necessary services and procedures provided by a doctor or specialist on an outpatient basis. This includes preventive care.
You can sign up for Medicare Parts A and B through Social Security, either online or by contacting your local Social Security Office. If you are already receiving Social Security disability benefits, you will automatically begin receiving Medicare Parts A and B after 24 months. If you have Lou Gehrig's Disease (ALS), you will receive Medicare Parts A and B immediately upon enrolling in Social Security disability benefits. If you have End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD), you can call 800-772-1213 to apply for Medicare.
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Applying online
If you are 65 or older, you can enrol online for Parts A and B, or Part A only. You can delay Part B if you're already covered through an employer group health plan. If you already have Part A and previously declined or never signed up for Part B, you can sign up for Part B only. You get Part A automatically if you live in Puerto Rico or outside the US, but you need to sign up for Part B. If you don't sign up for Part B within 3 months of turning 65, you might have to wait to sign up and pay a monthly late enrolment penalty.
If you are under 65, you may be eligible for Medicare if you have permanent kidney failure or receive Disability benefits. Even if you receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI), you must meet one of the other requirements to qualify.
You can also use an online plan finder tool to easily compare Alabama Medicare plans side-by-side, review coverage options, and find a plan that suits your specific requirements and budget.
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Medicare card
Medicare is a federal program designed to help cover medical costs for people aged 65 and older, as well as certain younger people with disabilities. It covers hospital stays, doctor visits, prescriptions, and preventive care services. In Alabama, individuals have access to the same parts of Medicare as in other states, including Part A (hospital insurance) and Part B (medical insurance).
Part A (Hospital Insurance) is provided automatically if you are receiving benefits from Social Security or the Railroad Retirement Board. You will receive a welcome package with your Medicare card about two weeks after signing up. You can also apply for Part A online if you are 65 or older.
Part B (Medical Insurance) is not automatic and you need to sign up for it. You can sign up for Part B if you live in Puerto Rico or outside the U.S. You can enroll in Part B online if you are 65 or older. If you do not sign up for Part B within 3 months of turning 65, you might have to pay a monthly late enrollment penalty.
If you are under 65, you may be eligible for Medicare if you have permanent kidney failure or receive Disability benefits. You can call 800-772-1213 and tell the representative that you want to apply for Medicare because you have End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD).
It is important to guard your Medicare card and not give out your personal information to people you don't know to protect yourself from Medicare fraud.
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Medicare Parts A and B for people with disabilities
Alabama residents can enrol in Original Medicare (Parts A and B) for coverage or choose from various Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans. Original Medicare is a federal programme designed to help cover medical costs for Americans aged 65 and older, as well as certain younger people with disabilities.
Medicare Part A covers hospital costs, including inpatient healthcare services received while admitted to a hospital, as well as some limited care in a skilled nursing facility or at home. Most people aged 65 or older are eligible for free Part A coverage if they have worked and paid Medicare taxes for long enough.
Medicare Part B covers general medical services, including medically necessary services and procedures received from a regular doctor or specialist on an outpatient basis, as well as preventive care. You can enrol in Part B by paying a monthly premium.
If you are under 65, you may be eligible for Medicare if you have permanent kidney failure or receive disability benefits. If you have collected Social Security Disability Insurance for at least 24 months, you may qualify for Medicare regardless of your age.
Medicare Advantage plans are offered by private insurance companies and may provide more coverage than Original Medicare, including prescription drugs, dental, vision, and hearing services. These plans are considered a full replacement for Original Medicare.
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Medicare Advantage and drug plans
Alabama residents have several options when it comes to Medicare Advantage and drug plans. Firstly, it's important to understand the different parts of Medicare. Original Medicare, which includes Part A (hospital insurance) and Part B (medical insurance), covers hospital stays, doctor visits, outpatient care, and preventive services. It is available to all US citizens over the age of 65, as well as younger people with certain disabilities or chronic health conditions.
Medicare Advantage plans, also known as Part C, are offered by private insurance companies approved by Medicare. In Alabama, there are 93 Medicare Advantage plans available for 2025, including plans with $0 premiums. These plans often include additional benefits beyond what Original Medicare offers, such as prescription drug coverage, dental, vision, and hearing services. Many plans also include wellness programs.
When considering a Medicare Advantage plan, it is important to review the specific coverage and costs associated with each plan to ensure it meets your healthcare needs. Alabama residents can enroll in Original Medicare, or they may choose a Medicare Advantage plan. The general enrollment period for Medicare Advantage plans is from April 1 through June 30, and open enrollment, during which you can enroll or make changes to your plan, is from October 15 through December 7.
Prescription drug coverage, known as Medicare Part D, is also available to Alabama residents. This can be obtained either through a standalone Medicare Part D prescription drug plan or included in a Medicare Advantage plan. During the general enrollment period, if you are enrolled in Part B, you can choose a Part D prescription drug plan.
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Frequently asked questions
Medicare is a federal health insurance program for people aged 65 and over. Those under 65 may be eligible if they have a disability, End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD), or Lou Gehrig's Disease (ALS).
You can apply for Medicare online at the Social Security website. You will need to create a secure my Social Security account to sign up for Medicare or apply for benefits. You can also apply by calling the Social Security Administration or Railroad Retirement Board.
Medicare Part A is insurance for hospitalization, home or skilled nursing, and hospice. Part B is medical insurance.
The Initial Enrollment Period begins 3 months before you turn 65 and ends 3 months after the month you turn 65. You may have to pay a penalty if you miss this period.
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