The following charts make it easy to see that, even with Medicare, you need additional protection from potential medical costs.
Medicare Part A
When You Are Hospitalized: Medicare Covers: You Pay:
1 to 60 days Most confinement costs $716 deductible
after the required
Medicare deductible
61 to 90 days All eligible expenses, $179 per day copayment,
after a per-day copayment or as much as $5,370
91 to 150 All eligible expenses, $358 per day copayment,
days after a per-day copayment or as much as $21,480
(These are lifetime
"Reserve" days, which
can never be used again)
151 days Nothing 100% of costs
or more
At least All eligible expense for After 20 days,
3 days and the first 20 days, then $89.50 per day
enter a all eligible expenses for copayment, or as
Medicare- days 21-100, after much as $7,160
approved a per-day copayment
skilled
nursing
facility
within
30 days
after
hospital
discharge
Note: Your total potential gap in Medicare Part A coverage is $34,726!
Medicare Part B
When You Incur Expenses For: Medicare Covers: You Pay:
Doctor's Office Visits 80% of all "approved" $100 deductible
charges, after the plus
Surgeon's Fee required Medicare 20% of all
deductible Medicare-approved
Anesthesiologist's Fee charges
plus
Ambulance Services 100% of any
excess charges
Speech Therapy above Medicare's
approved amount
Diagnostic Tests
Durable Medical Equipment