what is mediGAP

Medicare is a federal health insurance program in the United States that primarily covers:

• People aged 65 or older.
  
• Younger people with certain disabilities.
  
• Individuals of any age with End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD - permanent kidney failure requiring dialysis or a transplant) or Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS - Lou Gehrig's disease).
  

Medicare is a national program funded by the U.S. government and administered by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).

How Medicare Works and its "Parts":

Medicare is structured into different "Parts," each covering specific types of healthcare services:

• Part A (Hospital Insurance): This covers inpatient hospital stays, skilled nursing facility care, hospice care, and some home health care. Most people don't pay a premium for Part A if they or their spouse paid Medicare taxes through employment for a sufficient period (usually at least 10 years).
• Part B (Medical Insurance): This covers doctors' services, outpatient care, medical supplies, and preventive services (like screenings and vaccines). Most people pay a monthly premium for Part B.
  
• Part C (Medicare Advantage): These are health plans offered by private companies approved by Medicare. They provide an alternative to Original Medicare (Parts A and B) and often include additional benefits like prescription drug coverage (Part D), vision, hearing, and dental. Medicare Advantage plans may have their own networks of doctors and hospitals.
  
• Part D (Prescription Drug Coverage): This helps cover the cost of prescription drugs. It's offered through private insurance companies approved by Medicare. You can add Part D to Original Medicare, or it may be bundled with a Medicare Advantage plan.
  
• Medigap (Medicare Supplement Insurance): This is extra insurance you can buy from a private company to help pay your share of costs in Original Medicare (like deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance).
  

Key Points about Medicare:

• Enrollment: For many, enrollment in Part A and Part B is automatic if they're already receiving Social Security or Railroad Retirement Board benefits when they turn 65 or become eligible due to disability. Otherwise, individuals need to sign up, usually around their 65th birthday during their Initial Enrollment Period (IEP).
  
• Costs: While Part A may be premium-free for many, other parts of Medicare generally involve premiums, deductibles, and co-payments.
  
• Choices: Once eligible, individuals choose how they want to get their Medicare health coverage – either through Original Medicare (Parts A & B, with the option to add Part D and Medigap) or through a Medicare Advantage plan.
  
• Differences from Private Insurance: Medicare is individual insurance and does not offer plans for couples or families. It's also distinct from Medicaid, which provides health coverage for low-income individuals and families. Some people can be eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid ("dual eligible").
  

Understanding Medicare can be complex due to its various parts and options. It's often recommended to call a Medicare Broker and explore the official Medicare website (Medicare.gov) or contact the Social Security Administration for personalized information.