Original Medicare

Original Medicare

Original Medicare is the federal health insurance program established in 1965 when Lyndon B Johnson signed H.R. 6675. The program started as a way to help provide medical services for people turning 65.  It is managed by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid or CMS for short.

When it was launched “Original Medicare” was NOT designed to cover the cost of ALL medical services needed by 65 and older individuals but to offset the growing cost of medical services & procedures.  Today, “Original Medicare” still does not cover ALL the costs associated with the medical services necessary to keep an individual healthy.

Over time however; private insurance companies have developed a framework with CMS to support “Original Medicare”.  These plans are called Medicare Supplemental Plans and they are designed to cover the GAPS not covered by “Original Medicare”. For this reason, Supplemental Plans are often referred to as MediGap Plans.

There are many reasons why an individual would choose to be on the “Original Medicare” plan.  Top reasons are listed below:

• • An individual on “Original Medicare” can see any doctor or specialist who accepts “Original Medicare”.
  • They also do not need a referral from a PCP (Primary Care Physician) to see a doctor.

It is important to know however that if an individual chooses “Original Medicare”, they receive Part A Benefits (Hospital Coverage) & Part B benefits (Physician Coverage).  “Original Medicare” DOES NOT include Part D coverage (Drugs).

• If you have any questions, please feel free to call or set an appointment below. My job is to educate you so that you make the best choice to meet your medical needs.