Medicare is a federal health insurance program for people who are:

• Age 65 and older.
• Younger than 65 with disabilities.
• Any age with end-stage renal disease (ESRD), a type of permanent kidney failure requiring dialysis or a kidney transplant.

Medicare has helped millions of Americans pay for the health care services they need. You've likely contributed to the program through the Social Security taxes deducted from your paycheck.

Medicare Part A generally covers the following:

• Hospital inpatient care
• Skilled nursing facility care
• Hospice care
• Home health services

Even when Medicare pays the cost of a service or item, you generally have your own portion to pay, in the form of deductibles, coinsurance and copayments.

Medicare Part B covers two types of services:

• Medically necessary services are needed to diagnose or treat your medical condition and must meet accepted standards of medical practice.
• Preventive services are intended to prevent illnesses like flu and detect serious conditions at an early stage, when treatment has the best chance of success.

Medicare Part B covers health care costs like:

• Ambulance services
• Durable medical equipment
• Outpatient care
• Getting a second opinion before surgery
• Some outpatient prescription drugs

Even when Medicare pays the cost of a service or item, you generally have your own portion to pay, in the form of deductibles, coinsurance and copayments.

Medicare does not cover all items and services. Some of these are:

• Most forms of long-term care
• Custodial care
• Most forms of dental care
• Eye exams for prescribing glasses
• Dentures
• Cosmetic surgery
• Acupuncture
• Hearing aids and fitting exams
• Routine foot care

Medicare Supplement insurance offers a number of advantages:

• You get help paying out-of-pocket medical expenses like copays and deductibles, which makes it easier to manage your health care budget.
• Your Medicare Supplement coverage is valid everywhere in the U.S.
• You can visit any specialists with no referral needed, as long as the provider accepts Medicare patients.
• You can choose any doctor or hospital that accepts Medicare patients.
• You can choose from a variety of plan types to help meet your needs now and in the future.

The best time to buy Medicare Supplement insurance is during your six-month Medicare open-enrollment period. During this time, you can buy any Medicare Supplement policy sold in your state, regardless of any pre-existing conditions.* You will not be required to answer any medical questions during this time.

*Except in New York where a six-month waiting period may apply.

Step one in obtaining Medicare Supplement insurance is completing an application. If you are not in your open-enrollment period or otherwise qualify for guarantee issue, you'll need to answer some medical questions. Our underwriters will review your medical history to determine if your application is acceptable, and to identify your risk classification. Your premium amount will be determined in part by the amount of insurance coverage you request.