COVID and MEDICARE - What You Need to Know

People who are first becoming eligible for Medicare have a lot of questions. We can help.

What does having Medicare mean? Will I have the same kind of health insurance as I had before Medicare?  Will I get to keep my doctors?  Will my drugs be covered? How much will I have to pay for doctor visits?

You may also have more questions that relate to the COVID epidemic.  Medicare provides good coverage for COVID-related treatments.

• You won’t have to pay anything if you need a COVID test.
• Medicare will cover a COVID vaccine once a vaccine is made available.
• If you need to be hospitalized for COVID treatment, Medicare will pay for your hospital costs.  You will pay the same amount that you would pay if you were hospitalized for another reason.
• Medicare pays for some anti-body tests for people who have, have had, or suspect they may have had the COVID virus.

If you need to see your regular doctor but do not want to go to the doctor’s office, Medicare will pay for you to get some services through telehealth.  That means you may be able to talk with your doctor through a smartphone, or video-chat using a number of video services like Zoom.

Medicare provides good health care coverage for COVID and other health services.  But it is not enough.  You will still need a Medicare Supplemental (Medigap) Plan or a Medicare Advantage plan to provide the extra care you need.