Here’s what you need to know about Medicare plans in Chicago

The city of Chicago, Illinois is huge! It has a significant aging population that requires stellar healthcare services. One of the best ways to provide such services is through Medicare. The average age of beneficiaries of this healthcare insurance in Chicago is about 73. Further, over 700,00 people are eligible for Medicare plans in Chicago.

You’re sure to know someone who is eligible for Medicare since it’s a federally-funded healthcare plan available to people above the age of 65.

Here are some frequently asked questions along with their answers about Medicare plans in Chicago.

What are the basic things that one needs to know about Medicare plans in Chicago?
The most defining factor about Medicare is its division into four parts. These four areas cover different aspects of health care needs and services required by a patient.

• Plan A: It covers all kinds of hospice care, hospital stays and admissions, skilled nursing facilities, and some level of home health care services. This is also known as hospital insurance as it covers all your hospital stays and costs attached to it. It also covers nursing services that may be required for extended periods.
• Plan B: This plan could be called medical insurance as it covers all kinds of doctor’s visits, outpatient care, preventive services, and costs of medical supplies. It focuses more on medicines and healthcare for certain prevalent illnesses. It also covers preventive measures that are taxing for citizens because everyone needs regular visits to the doctor. Outpatient care can be expensive too, which is why this medical insurance is essential.
• Plan C: This plan is called the Medicare Advantage Plan. It works in a slightly different manner. It partners with companies, and together they pay for all the costs of Plan A and B. This plan extends to fee-for-service schemes as well. Thus, it can be beneficial for those citizens who suffer from special or rare diseases that aren’t covered by Plan A and B. This plan also includes special needs services which aren’t usually covered.
• Plan D: This is an add-on plan or coverage option. It is known as a prescription plan because it covers the costs of your prescription medications. A large number of people can benefit from this add-on, particularly those who suffer from illnesses or degenerative diseases that require lifelong medication.

What are some useful facts about Medicare plans in Chicago?
Here are some both interesting and useful facts that one should know about Medicare plans in Chicago.

• The total cost of Medicare in 2014 alone was $5.7 billion.
• 13% of total expenses go towards outpatient care, and 37% of total costs are used for inpatient care.
• Within Illinois, Cook County has taken special attention for two reasons. 691,609 citizens in Cook County are beneficiaries of Plan A and Plan B. $9,692 are invested per person in Cook County on Medicare. It may seem like a high figure, but it is only 4.3% higher than the national average.
• High blood pressure is the number one reason quoted for Medicare expenses in Cook County.

What is SHIP?

• SHIP stands for Senior Health Insurance Program. It is a counseling service extended to citizens under Medicare and all of their caregivers.
• The Illinois Department on Aging (IDA) maintains this special program, and citizens in Chicago can access its resources if they have Medicare coverage.
• It is important to remember that SHIP isn’t an insurance provider or affiliated with any provider of insurance.
• The counselors you meet are trained and well-versed in helping people.

How can one contact SHIP?
You can contact SHIP via multiple channels.

• You can send a letter to the Illinois Department on Aging, Senior Health Insurance Program (SHIP).
• You can also call them on their official numbers.
• For further information, you can visit their website or send them an email on their official email-id.