Medicare Advisors & Plans for Pensacola, FL

Medicare is a federal health insurance program for those who are age 65 or older. It is also available to certain younger people with disabilities and those with End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD). 

There are two main ways to select your Medicare coverage:

• Original Medicare: includes Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance) and Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance). You pay for services as you get them—a deductible at the start of each year and usually 20% of the cost of the Medicare-approved service (coinsurance). Medicare Part D (Drug Coverage) can be added as a separate drug plan.
• Medicare Advantage: an alternative to Original Medicare that is from a private company. These plans include Medicare Part A, Part B, and usually Part D, and may offer some extra benefits that Original Medicare doesn't cover (like vision, hearing, and dental). Each Medicare Advantage Plan can charge different out-of-pocket costs, and have different rules for how you get services, but must follow Medicare's coverage rules.
• Medicare Supplement: also known as Medigap; a policy provided by private insurance companies that help pay out-of-pocket expenses not covered by Original Medicare (Part A and B).

There are four parts of Medicare:

• Part A: Hospital Insurance (helps cover inpatient hospital care, skilled nursing facility care, home health care, and hospice care)
• Part B: Medical Insurance (helps cover services from doctors and other health care providers, outpatient care, home health care, durable medical equipment like wheelchairs and walkers, and preventative services like screenings and shots/vaccines)
• Part C: Medicare Advantage Plan (offered by private companies approved by Medicare; provides all Part A and Part B coverage, and may offer extra coverage and Part D coverage)
• Part D: Drug Coverage (helps cover the cost of prescription drugs, including many shots or vaccines)

Medicare Advantage Plans, also called Part C plans, are insurance plans provided by private companies approved by Medicare. They combine Medicare Part A and B for hospital and medical insurance, and often include Part D for drug coverage, as well.

Medicare Supplement insurance policies, also known as Medigap, are also provided by private insurance companies and they help pay out-of-pocket expenses not covered by Original Medicare (Part A and B). These are not part of the federal government's Medicare program—they instead supplement Medicare to provide coverage in addition to it.

The main distinction between Medicare and private health insurance in Pensacola is that Medicare is offered by the federal government mostly for individuals age 65 and older, while private health insurance is applicable to those under 65 and allows coverage for dependents.

Pensacola, FL Medicare is available for those age 65 or older (as well as certain younger people with disabilities and those with End Stage Renal Disease), but there are certain conditions that must be met in order to not pay a premium.

Most people age 65 or older are eligible for free Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance) if they have worked and paid Medicare taxes long enough, usually at least 10 years. Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance) is available by paying a monthly premium.

Pensacola, FL Medicare agents (also known as brokers) who help Medicare beneficiaries choose the right coverage are typically compensated through commission. This commission is not charged to the customer but instead paid directly to brokers by the insurer, meaning that customers are not incurring any extra cost for relying on a Medicare agent to help find the right coverage.

The cost of Medicare in Florida can vary widely depending on the combination of plans you need, which is why it's important to speak to a licensed Medicare agent to get an exact dollar amount. Contact Torgersen Causey today to see how much you would be paying for Medicare in Pensacola, FL.

As of 2022, these are the basic costs for people with Medicare:

• Part A (Hospital Insurance): Premium is typically free; $1556 deductible for each benefit period
• Part B (Medical Insurance): Premium is typically $170.10, or higher; $233 deductible
• Part C (Medicare Advantage): Monthly premium varies by plan
• Part D (Prescription Drug Coverage): Monthly premium varies by plan

The best Pensacola Medicare coverage plan will vary depending on your exact needs and preferences. Everyone has different health needs and budgets, so it's important to speak to a licensed Medicare agent like Torgersen Causey to help you determine which plan fits your needs best.

The difference between Medicaid and Medicare is that Medicaid is managed by the states and is based on income, while the federal government oversees Medicare, which is mostly based on age. However, there are certain circumstances, such as certain disabilities, where younger people may be eligible for Medicare.

Medicaid helps with getting health care at a lower cost or sometimes at no cost to you. It is managed by each state, so the eligibility requirements vary.