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Indiana Medicare Health Insurance

Medicare is a federal health insurance program. However, like many states, Indiana offers help to seniors in addition to the Medicare program. The aid given comes in the form of SHIP and the state Medicaid program. SHIP stands for State Health Insurance Assistance Program. The agency, part of a network of federal agencies, is a nonprofit agency that offers free advice and information to seniors on Medicare, alternatives and Medicare supplements available.

  1. Medicare Outline Part A and B

    • Medicare has four parts. Part A offers coverage for hospital care or skilled nursing facility care after a hospital stay. It also pays for a small portion of home health care and the services of hospice. Part B pays for the medical services you receive from doctors. B also pays for hospital services and supplies if hospital insurance doesn't cover them.

    New Additions

    • Part C is relatively new to the mix. These are Medicare Advantage plans, once known as Medicare Plus Choice. These are managed care plans offered, and they list area service providers to use. The Medicare Advantage choice replaces the traditional Medicare plan. One of the most expensive ongoing charges in health care is prescription drugs. Part D Medicare covers the medication prescribed by your doctor.

    Eligibility

    • You can sign up for Medicare in Indiana if you are eligible to receive Railroad Retirement benefits or Social Security and are at least 65 years of age. If you're eligible for a spouse's Social Security or former spouse's SS benefit, you're eligible if that spouse is or would be at least 62. You also qualify if you worked for a state, local or federal entity long enough to receive Medicare. Part A is free. You pay for Part B. If you are under 65, you are eligible for Medicare if you've been disabled and received 24 months of Social Security disability benefits for yourself or as a disabled person receiving benefits from a previous or present spouse or parent for the same length of time. If you're under 65 and worked for a local, state or federal entity, you're also eligible. Anyone under 65 with permanent kidney failure, ALS or Lou Gehrig's disease is also eligible.

    Medigap in Indiana

    • All Medigap insurance plans pay for the deductibles, co-insurance and other costs Medicare doesn't cover. The amount each plan pays for these noncovered items varies, depending on the plan you choose. There are 10 standardized plans. Each company offers the same benefits in each of the 10 plan categories. If you choose a plan G, every company offering it has the same benefit. The cost you pay often varies from company to company. A Medicare select policy costs less, but you use a specific network of medical providers.

    Help Paying for Medicare

    • In Indiana, you can receive help to pay for Medicare with the Medicaid program. As of March 2010, if you already have part A, have financial assets worth less than $6,600 for singles and $9,910 for those married, with an income below $1,218 per month for singles and $1,639 for married people, the state provides you with help. These are guidelines, but you must apply to find if you qualify for the aid.

    SHIP

    • If you have questions on Medicare in Indiana, find a local SHIP office. The people have training to help you make the decision for a supplement, choose the best plan, locate affordable insurance and see if you qualify for assistance.

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