Elder Laws and Medicare work together to help elderly citizens get the health care they need.
The Medicare Program was developed in 1965 as an amendment to the Social Security Act of 1965. It is essentially federally sanctioned and funded health insurance for senior citizens. It operates by allowing patients to seek medical assistance privately, thereby receiving reimbursement from the government. These reimbursements are allocated by the Health Care Finance Administration, which is a component of the Department of Health and Human Services. Rather than seeking arrangement with each individual who is accepted for Medicare provisions, contracts are signed between the United States government and private medical organizations known as fiscal intermediaries in accordance with Elder Law.
Eligibility for Medicare
Although applications for Medicare are accepted on a case-by-case basis, seniors who qualify for Social Security are automatically eligible for Medicare. Social Security eligibility is contingent on the number of “credits” one earns throughout their life by working. The number of credits one can earn annually is dependent on his or her earnings, with the maximum being four credits. The minimum number of credits one must earn by retirement in order to qualify for Social Security is 40 credits. The only other requirement for Medicare eligibility is being either 65 and older or disabled for at least two years.
Enrollment in Medicare
Medicare coverage is bilateral – one can either enroll in Part A coverage or Part A and Part B coverage. Part A coverage is appropriated automatically when one qualifies for Social Security or railroad retirement benefits. Part B coverage is optional and divided into three periods per year, in that it comes with minimal premium payment.
How Elder Law and Medicare Relate
As a part of being over a certain age, one can apply for Medicare. Currently, the age for application is 65 years, though special circumstances can apply. In order to learn more about who Elder Laws affect, talk to your local Medicare office.
