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Medicare Advantage & SSI

If you are an American citizen older than 65 years of age, the government has several public benefits available to you. Some of these include the retirement program, known as Social Security, and the Medicare program, which is public health insurance. However, the Social Security Administration also runs more programs that give benefits other than the retirement program, such as the Social Security Disability program and the Supplemental Security Income program.

  1. Medicare Advantage and SSI

    • You can receive both Medicare and SSI benefits. The only condition to receive both is that you must meet the requirements for eligibility for each program. For example, you might qualify for SSI benefits, but if you have not paid the Medicare tax, you might not be able to get Medicare Advantage. One of the requirements for receiving Medicare Advantage is to have either Medicare Part A or Part B. If you qualify for SSI benefits, it is because you have low income. If this is the case, you might also qualify to receive help paying for your Medicare Advantage coverage.

    Medicare Advantage

    • Medicare is a public health insurance program for senior citizens. Medicare coverage is divided into four parts. Part A is free and a benefit to every citizen who has worked and paid Medicare tax. Medicare Part C is known as Medicare Advantage. Medicare Advantage is not free. To receive its benefits, you must pay a monthly premium associated with the coverage you choose. Medicare Advantage consists of different health insurance plans that are offered by private companies that either have a contract with Medicare or are approved by Medicare. On Medicare's website, you can find a list of approved companies and plans that you can choose.

    Medicare Advantage Plans

    • If you want to purchase Medicare Advantage, you must choose from one of the plans and companies in your area listed on the Medicare website. These plans add coverage to normal Medicare coverage, which includes Part A and Part B. Some of the additional items you can find in Advantage plans include hearing, vision, health and wellness programs and dental coverage. Some plans also include prescription drug coverage. How much you must pay in monthly premiums depends upon the plan you choose and whether or not the company decides to charge you for the extra coverage. Medicare already pays a set amount to the companies listed as Advantage plans.

    SSI

    • Supplemental Security Income is also a program run by the Social Security Administration. If you qualify to receive benefits, you must apply with the Social Security office close to your home. To receive benefits, you must be older than 65 years of age or have a disability. Blindness counts as a disability. Another requirement is that you must prove you have low income and few or no resources. If you have a disabled or blind child, you can also apply for benefits for your child.

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