• Learn about benefits that you can receive through Medicare.medical equipment image by blaine stiger from Fotolia.com
  
  Medicare works with insurance companies, hospitals and other medical facilities and agencies to help pay for general and emergency care for eligible United States citizens.
  
  If you are older than 64 years of age, or you have a qualifying disability, you can receive Medicare. People of all ages who are diagnosed by a licensed physician with End-Stage Renal Disease are eligible to receive Medicare.
  
  

Hospital Coverage

• Under Medicare's Plan A benefits, costs associated with inpatient hospital care (i.e. surgeries) are covered through Medicare. Long-term and rehabilitative hospital care is also covered. Should you enter a hospice or home-health-care system, Medicare will cover the costs of some or all of these expenses.
  
  If Medicare taxes were deducted from your or your spouse's payroll check, you will not have to pay a monthly Medicare premium for this coverage. If you did not have Medicare taxes deducted from your paycheck (and you qualify for Medicare's Plan B program), you can pay a premium to receive the services.
  
  

Physician Expenses and Outpatient Care

• Preventive and outpatient care, as well as expenses associated with standard physician office visits, are covered under Medicare's Plan B program. You must pay a monthly premium to receive services offered under Plan B. Premiums are based on your income level. Sign up for Plan B when you become eligible. Failure to do so could cause you to be required to pay a late fee.
  
  If you receive disability services through Social Security, you automatically qualify for Medicare's Plan B program. To receive services under Plan B, you must pay the outpatient service deductible, which is based upon your income level. After you pay the deductible, you will pay only 20 percent of the outpatient-service costs. Medicare will pick up the rest of the tab.
  
  

Prescription Drug Coverage

• Each person who receives Medicare is eligible to receive prescription drug coverage. Prescription drug programs are administered by private medical firms. Once you enroll in the program, you can receive prescription drugs at a discount price.
  
  If you are enrolled in Medicare's Advantage program, you will receive your prescription drug discounts through the Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) or Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) of which you are a member.