As humans, we love comfort, and we are always looking for ways to improve our comfort. One
of the most effective ways to ensure that you stay comfortable is to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
This is because your health is linked to your quality of life.
Therefore, it is common to see people making drastic changes to their lifestyle to live healthily
and for longer. The changes may include cutting down on processed foods, alcohol, and sugar.
In other cases, people alter their whole diet and incorporate exercise and drinking a lot of water
into their routine. All these are great ways of reducing your chances of obesity and other lifestyle
diseases. However, you are never in complete control over your health.
As we age, our body’s immunity becomes weaker, and we are more prone to diseases. It even
takes longer for us to heal. Aging is a natural part of life that we cannot outrun, but we can
prepare for it.
Access to quality health services is a major concern for most citizens. According to the World
Health Organization’s Constitution (1946), access to healthcare is a human right. Therefore, it
is an obligation to provide individuals with access to quality, timely and affordable healthcare.
The US government has tried to fulfill this through plans such as Medicare, Medicaid, Children’s
Health Insurance Program (CHIP), and Veterans Affairs (VA). There are a variety of programs
that provide health insurance coverage throughout the United States, with different eligibility
requirements depending on where you live.
Understanding the basics of Medicare state wise will help you find the best plan for your needs
and budget. From understanding who’s eligible for Medicare to learning about available options
for each state will help you understand your health insurance and out of pocket expenses better.
For now, we will look into Medicare in Florida and what you need to know before you get
started.
Medicare in Florida
Medicare is a governmental health insurance program to help provide healthcare services and
reduce costs. The insurance program is limited to a particular group of individuals since it is
designed to help seniors and people with disabilities.
The groups that qualify for Medicare are:
● People aged 65 or more
● People with specific forms of disability ( can be younger than 65 years)
● People with End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD)
● People with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
If you are in any of the categories above, you can apply for Medicare in Florida. You should note
that Medicare is funded through taxes and premiums paid by beneficiaries.
Parts and Premiums of Medicare
It’s essential to familiarize yourself with each part of Medicare, as well as its corresponding
premiums, so that you are informed of your rights and options when it comes time to make
decisions regarding your health care and coverage. This is an absolute imperative before you
apply for Medicare in Florida.
Depending on your preferences, you can receive your health care services through Original
Medicare or a Medicare Advantage plan. Original Medicare is managed by the federal
government. Medicare Advantage plan is offered by private insurance companies in the different
states.
The different plans of Medicare available for all are:
● Medicare Part A – The plan covers inpatient costs like home care, hospital stays, hospice
care, and nurse care.
● Medicare Part B – This covers outpatient services, medical supplies, and preventive
services.
● Medicare Part D – This covers the cost of prescription drugs such as shots and vaccines.
● Medicare Part C – These are Advantage plans that offer the same benefits as Original
Medicare . They may also provide additional benefits such as vision, dental, and hearing
coverage.
They are all priced differently. Medicare Part A is usually free, for individuals, or their spouses,
who have paid Medicare taxes while working for ten years. This is the “premium-free Part A”.
You will have to pay different premium rates if you do not qualify for this. The rate depends on
the number of quarters you have paid Medicare taxes. If you have done less than 30 quarters,
your premium rate is $499 ($506 in 2023). However, for people that have paid their Medicare
taxes for over 30 quarters, their premiums are $274 ($278 in 2023).
The standard premium forMedicare in Florida for Part B is currently $170.10 ($164.90 in 2023).
This is the standard rate most people pay. However, some groups pay more. You pay more if
your modified adjusted gross income shown in your IRS tax return is beyond a certain figure.
Your monthly deductible for Part D depends on the plan you join. Also, you will pay more if your
income falls beyond a particular figure.
Medicare Advantage plan
There are several advantages to getting Medicare Advantage plans instead of Original
Medicare. The first is you get additional coverage for dental and optical. Another benefit is that
the advantage plans may also have lower out-of-pocket costs than Original Medicare.
Some plans even have an out-of-pocket limit. Therefore, if you reach this limit, the plan pays
100% for all covered services for the rest of the year. Some types of Medicare Advantage plans
you should consider include:
● Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs),
● Preferred Provider Organizations (PPOs)
● Private Fee-for-Service (PFFS) plans
● Special Needs Plans (SNPs).
The services differ depending on the plan you get. For some, you are restricted to what hospital
or doctor to visit. These are some of the Medicare Advantage plans in Florida. Compare
different plans and see which one suits your needs and budget.
Applying for Medicare
There is a process when it comes to applying for Medicare in Florida. Medicare enables you to
cash in on years of paid taxes, so ensure you enroll as soon as you are eligible. It is also vital to
do it keenly since there are penalties involved. An example of such a penalty is paying extra for
not joining a drug plan when you join Medicare.
When applying for Medicare for the first time, you join during the Initial Enrollment Period (IEP).
This period begins three months before your 65th birthday and is seven months long. If you
delay enrolling, there are penalties involved. If you miss this period, you apply during the
General Enrollment Period.
The General Enrollment Period is from January 1st through March. After enrolling, your cover
begins on July 1st. However, it is wise to note that you may incur late enrollment penalties if you
enroll in this period.
There are also vital periods like the Medigap Open Enrollment Period, for those who want a
supplement plan and the Medicare Annual Enrollment Period (AEP). The AEP is for you if you
want to change your plan for Medicare in Florida.
Conclusion
Healthcare is a basic right that should be accessible for all regardless of financial or social
status. It is more than just a matter of having the means to afford care, it is about having access
to high-quality and comprehensive services. Collaboration between local and federal
governments, healthcare providers, insurance companies, and citizens will be necessary in
order to make this dream a reality.
There are several parts of Medicare, and you should get one that suits your needs. Medicare
Advancement plans provide more benefits than the Original Medicare. Therefore, get the
medical insurance plan that caters to your needs and fits your budget.
