Medicare
Medicare is a federal program funded through the Social Security system. It provides health insurance for US citizens and other eligible people who meet certain criteria. Young people with cancer may get Medicare benefits after collecting Social Security benefits for 2 years under the Supplemental Security Income program. You can get more information from the Social Security Administration (check the blue pages of your phone book or the "To learn more" section in this document), or by talking with your cancer care team social worker. Medicare is also federal health insurance for people who meet any of these requirements:
- Are age 65 or older
- Have been permanently disabled and are getting disability benefits from Social Security
- Have permanent kidney failure treated with dialysis or a transplant
Medicare is divided into parts:
Part A pays for hospital care, home health care, hospice care, and care in Medicare-certified nursing facilities. For most people, there is no monthly premium, but you pay a yearly deductible for your health care before Medicare pays anything. After that's paid, Medicare pays its share, and you pay your share (your co-insurance or co-payment) for covered services and supplies. You can go to any doctor or supplier that accepts Medicare and is accepting new Medicare patients, or to any hospital or other facility. You may have a Medigap policy or other supplemental coverage that may pay deductibles, co-insurance, or other costs that aren't covered by the Medicare Part A (see below, "Private insurance coverage that can be added to Medicare").
Part B covers diagnostic studies, doctors' services, durable medical equipment used at home, and ambulance transportation. Part B is optional, and there is a monthly premium which is based on your income. Each year, before Medicare pays anything, you must pay your own medical expenses to equal the deductible, based on Medicare's approved "reasonable charge," not on the provider's actual charge. And you must still pay co-insurance or a co-payment on the rest of the covered charges for that year.
Part C is actually a combination of Parts A and B but it is provided by private insurers. These private insurance companies must be approved by Medicare, and must provide all hospital and medical benefits covered by Medicare. Called Medicare Advantage, these private insurers charge a monthly fee and some include the Part D prescription drug coverage (see "Part D" below), as well as vision, hearing, and dental coverage. Part C is not available everywhere. Medicare Advantage plans can be PPOs, HMOs, or fee-for-service plans. (See the section "Types of health plans" for more on these different plans.) There is also a Part C Medicare Special Needs plan, which is designed for people with long-term health problems. These plans must include Parts A, B, and D coverage.
Part D is optional. It helps pay for prescription drugs that are usually bought at a retail pharmacy. If you join, you pay a monthly premium, which varies by plan, and a yearly deductible. You will also pay a part of the cost of your prescriptions, including a co-payment or co-insurance. Costs vary based on which drug plan you choose. Some plans may offer more coverage and a wider choice of drugs for a higher monthly cost. If you have limited income and resources, you may qualify for extra help and you may not have to pay a premium or deductible. You can apply or get more information about the extra help by contacting the Social Security Administration (see "To learn more" for contact information). You can find out more about Medicare Part D and how it applies to people with cancer in our document, Medicare Part D: Things People With Cancer May Want to Know.
Medicare provides basic health coverage, but it won't pay all of your medical expenses. It may cover the costs of prostheses or bras, and the number covered per year may vary from state to state. Medicare also limits the number of items for ostomy supplies used per month. If you have questions about Medicare, call 1-800-633-4227 or contact your local Social Security office.
Private insurance coverage that can be added to Medicare (Medicare Supplement Insurance or Medigap)
If you are enrolled in standard Medicare, you may be able to add more coverage with a Medicare Supplement Insurance policy (commonly called Medigap). There are 10 standard Medigap policies. Each offers a different combination of benefits and is offered in all 50 states, but the plans may not be the same in all states. The plans are identified by letters A through J. It is important to compare Medigap policies because premiums and other costs can vary, and some of the plans expect you to use only certain doctors or hospitals.
Medicaid
Medicaid is another government program that covers the cost of medical care. To get Medicaid, your income and assets must be below a certain level. These levels vary from state to state. Not all health providers accept Medicaid. Some examples of people who are eligible for Medicaid include:
- Low-income families with children
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipients
- Infants born to Medicaid-eligible pregnant women
- Children under age 6 from low-income families may be eligible in some states (even if other family members are not)
- Pregnant women whose income is below the family poverty level
Medicare beneficiaries who have a low income and limited resources may get help paying for their out-of-pocket medical expenses from their state Medicaid program. For more information, contact your state Medicaid office (see the "To learn more" section).
State-sponsored children's health insurance programs
There is a special state and federal partnership that pays for medical services for children called the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP). CHIP offers some type of low-cost health insurance to uninsured children and pregnant women in families with incomes too high to qualify for state Medicaid programs, but too low to pay for private coverage. Within federal guidelines, each state sets up its own CHIP program, including eligibility guidelines, benefits offered, and cost. The program covers doctor visits, medicines, hospitalizations, dental care, eye care, and medical equipment. It is funded by state tax dollars. People enrolled in Medicaid usually are not eligible for state sponsored health insurance programs.
To find out more about CHIP, call 1-877-543-7669. You can also go to the CHIP Web site, www.insurekidsnow.gov, to learn more about the program and find your state's CHIP.
Veterans' and military benefits
Veterans: If you have ever been on active duty in the military, you may qualify for Veterans Administration (VA) health benefits. The VA looks at how long you served, the type of discharge you received, disability, income, availability of VA services in your area, and other factors to decide if you are eligible. Veterans' benefits change often, and the number of veterans' medical facilities has been declining in recent years. See the "To learn more" section to learn how to contact the Department of Veterans Affairs to get the latest information.
Active duty, reservists, retirees, survivors, and family: TRICARE is the Department of Defense's health insurance program for those in the military, as well as some family members, survivors, and retirees. It offers 9 different plan options to cover people in the US and overseas, and includes family plans as well as plans for certain reservists. Pharmacy plans, dental plans, and other special services are available for some beneficiaries.
Each TRICARE plan has its own limits and requirements. Choose your plan carefully and know how it works. Contact TRICARE for complete and current information on TRICARE benefits for those who have been in the military and their families, including eligibility, plan details, and cost, as well as how to find providers in your area. You can find this information online at www.tricare.mil or call 1-800-538-9552.
Widows or widowers, and spouses or children of military members with service-related disabilities: Another program called Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs (CHAMPVA) is available to certain spouses or widows(ers) and their children who are not eligible for TRICARE. CHAMPVA can cover the spouse or widow(er) and the children of a veteran who:
- Is permanently and totally disabled due to a service-connected disability as determined by a VA regional office
- Was rated permanently and totally disabled due to a service-connected condition at the time of death
- Died from a service-connected disability
- Died in the line of duty and the family members are not eligible for TRICARE benefits
CHAMPVA is a comprehensive health care program in which the VA shares the cost of covered health care services and supplies with eligible beneficiaries. The program is administered by the VA Health Administration Center. You can find out more about CHAMPVA, including things like eligibility, benefits, finding a provider, and filing claims by calling 1-800-733-8387, or visiting their Web site, www.va.gov/hac (select CHAMPVA under "Special Programs").
Activated reservists and their employee health benefits: Members of the military reserve units who are called up for active duty from private employment have specific rights about the health care coverage they get from their employers. They are allowed to pay the full cost of insurance, very much like COBRA, during their time away. When they return to work, their coverage must be re-instated without any waiting period. See the "To learn more" section for US Department of Labor contact information.
Breast and cervical cancer screening and treatment for low-income women
Medically underserved women can get tested for breast cancer for free or at very little cost through the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (NBCCEDP). This program provides breast and cervical cancer early detection testing for women who are uninsured, or in some cases under-insured. The NBCCEDP tries to reach as many women in medically underserved communities as possible, including older women, women without health insurance, and women who are members of racial and ethnic minorities. Every state offers the program, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) helps support the state program.
Although the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (NBCCEDP) can help women find cancer early, uninsured women still need help getting treatment. In 2000, the Breast and Cervical Cancer Prevention and Treatment Act was signed into law. This Act provides money to pay for breast and cervical cancer treatment for certain uninsured women who are under age 65. As in the NBCCEDP, each state must adopt the program to get the matching federal funds. Even though the money is channeled through each state's Medicaid program, it helps women who are not eligible for Medicaid.
Information on the NBCCEDP can be found at the CDC Web site, www.cdc.gov/cancer/nbccedp/index.htm, or you can call 1-800-232-4636 to learn more.
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