Medicare

What is Medicare?

Medicare is health insurance for the following:

• People 65 or older
• People under 65 with certain disabilities
• People of any age with End-Stage Renal disease (ESRD) (permanent kidney failure requiring dialysis or a kidney transplant)

The Different Parts of Medicare

The different parts of Medicare help cover specific services:

Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance)

• Inpatient Hospital care
• Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) care
• Hospice care
• Home health care

Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance)

• Doctors’ services
• Outpatient medical and surgical services and supplies
• Clinical lab tests
• Durable medical equipment (DME) (like walkers and wheelchairs)
• Diabetic testing equipment and supplies
• Preventive services (like flu shots and a yearly wellness visit)
• Home health care
• Medically necessary outpatient physical and occupational therapy, and speech-language pathology services

Medicare Part C (also known as Medicare Advantage)

Offers health plan options run by Medicare-approved private insurance companies. Medicare Advantage Plans are a way to get the benefits and services covered under Part A and Part B. Most Medicare Advantage Plans cover Medicare prescription drug coverage (Part D). Some Medicare Advantage Plans may include extra benefits for an extra cost.

Medicare Part D (Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage)

• Helps cover the cost of prescription drugs
• May help lower your prescription drug costs and help protect against higher costs
• Run by Medicare-approved private insurance companies

*Medicare Part C and D plan options and availability vary based on where you live. Compare plans available in your area on the Medicare website.

Medicare Supplemental Insurance (Medigap)

Medicare Supplement insurance, also known as "Medigap," is sold by private insurance companies. It helps cover costs that Medicare Part A and B don’t pay. People who already have health insurance through an employer, a union, or Medicaid usually don’t need Medicare Supplement insurance.

The best time to buy a Medigap policy is during your “Medigap Open Enrollment Period.” This starts when you are 65 or older and have enrolled in Medicare Part B for the first time. The enrollment period lasts for 6 months. During this time, insurance companies cannot deny you a policy or charge you more than others your age.

If you are under 65 and on Medicare, it can be hard to get a Medigap plan in Alaska. You won’t have a “Medigap Open Enrollment Period” until you turn 65.

• Medicare Supplement (MEDIGAP) Rates in Alaska

Everyone’s situation is different!

If you already have health insurance, it may affect your options with Medicare and other decisions you may need to make. Consider what you might have now and compare to see what's best for you.

• If you have both Medicare & Medicaid (dual eligible)
• State of Alaska (AlaskaCare) Retirees
• If you have TRICARE and need more information
• Veterans
• More information for Federal Employees (FEHB)
• Medicare and Other Health Insurance: 
  Your Guide to Who Pays First

How to apply

The only place to apply for Medicare is at ssa.gov.

Resources