A Medicare card allows its holder to avail of medical procedures, professional consultations and even prescription medication for free or for a lower price. This benefit can be availed of by contributing to a Medicare fund which is then augmented by the government. This is made possible because the government pays for all or some of the medical cost by covering a certain percentage of the bill. This article will discuss several advantages of having a Medicare card.

Medicare Card Benefits

Medicare benefits can be categorized into four parts. It is up to the employee or employer to come to terms as to the parts covered but as a general rule an employee pays 1.45% of his salary as payroll tax and the employer shells out the same amount as its share. If there is no employer then the individual must shell out the entire 2.9% as tax.

Part A covers inpatient procedures which require at least an overnight hospital stay. Medicare usually shoulders the entirety or part of the expenses for the use of T a semi private room, medical test, food and professional fees. However certain conditions have to be met in order for the inpatient procedure to be covered.

Part B means medical insurance that can fill the gap between the total expenses paid under Part A and the amount to be shouldered by the individual. This is because; in some cases the Part A expenses go beyond the Medicare coverage. By availing of Part B certain inpatient procedures can be chargeable under Part B as outpatient procedures.. Part B coverage starts once a patient meets the deductible, then as a general rule Medicare covers 80% of accredited services rendered. The remainder is then paid by the patient. Part B coverage includes:

a. nursing services

b. physician and

c. laboratory tests

d. x-rays

e. influenza

f. diagnostic tests

g. blood transfusions

h. renal dialysis

i. outpatient hospital procedures

j. limited ambulance transportation

k. pneumonia vaccinations

l. chemotherapy

m. hormonal treatments like Lupron

n. immunosuppressive drugs

o. medical equipment

p. prosthetics

Part C or Medicare plus Choice which allowed Medicare beneficiaries to get Medicare benefits from private health service providers such as HMO's or PPO's. This type of Medicare plan allowed Medicare users to choose the provider that best suits their needs, provided that it meets the requirements set forth. This meant that Medicare beneficiaries can now look into accredited providers for Medicare coverage that are nearer or more convenient for them.

Part D coverage means the addition of prescription drug purchases. However before availing of this benefit the individual needs to enroll for Part D coverage. This plan is policed by the government but is actually administered by private entities that provide discounts on certain prescription drugs for Medicare card holders. However some prescription drugs are not covered such as barbiturates cough suppressants and benzodiazepines.

For more information it would be best to consult a healthcare professional or call the Medicare hotlines or walk in to the nearest Medicare facility.