How to Cover the Cost of Wheelchairs and Walkers: A Guide

Medicare is a federal health insurance program for people who are 65 or older, people with certain disabilities, and people with End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD). It is administered by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), which is a federal agency within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

There are several different parts to Medicare, including:

Part A: Hospital insurance

Part B: Medical insurance

Part C: Medicare Advantage plans

Part D: Prescription drug coverage

Individuals may enroll in Medicare during their Initial Enrollment Period (IEP) which starts three months before their 65th birthday and ends 3 months after their 65th birthday.

There are also several private companies known as Medicare Administrative Contractors (MACs) that contract with the federal government to process claims for Medicare services. They also provide education and assistance to providers and suppliers, and work to prevent fraud and abuse.

Additionally, there are several private insurance companies that offer Medicare Advantage plans (part C) and Medicare prescription drug plans (part D), these plans are called Medicare Advantage Organizations (MAOs) and Medicare Prescription Drug Plan Sponsors (PDPs).

It's also important to mention that you can also get help with Medicare coverage by working with the Medicare insurance agency. These agencies provide counseling, education and assistance to help people make informed decisions about their Medicare coverage options. They can help you understand the different parts of Medicare, enroll in a plan, and answer questions about claims, billing and more.