Health Care for Seniors
The elderly have special needs when it comes to health care. While there may be gaps and frustrations in obtaining coverage, there is assistance for many serious health problems.
Last updated in April 2008.

The federal Medicare program, which has covered nearly all citizens 65 and older since 1965, is the best known and still the most comprehensive health care program for seniors - the only part of our system that approaches the goal of universal health care. Different "Parts" of Medicare cover different things, and each work in their own way.

Part A, covering hospital expenses, is automatically available at age 65, even if you continue to work.

Part B, covering doctor visits and other services, requires you to pay a monthly premium. Part B is optional, though the vast majority of seniors decide to buy this coverage. It is important to sign up for Part B when you first apply for Medicare benefits. Depending on your income, you may qualify to have your Medicare Part B premium paid for you, and you may also qualify to have your coinsurance and deductibles paid. (See below for more details)

Unless you or your spouse will be working for a company with more than 20 employees, you should apply for Medicare during the three months before you turn 65. You can apply for Medicare at your nearest Social Security office (see list). If you do not enroll within 3 months of your 65th birthday, you will not be able to sign up for your Part B until the following year and you will have to pay a higher premium rate.

If you or your spouse are working for a company with more than 20 employees when you turn 65, you can wait until you retire to enroll in Medicare. As long as you sign up within eight months of retirement you will not have to pay a penalty. Many people who have health insurance through their employer choose not to enroll in Medicare until retirement.

Part D, the new prescription coverage through Medicare, requires you to pay a monthly premium -- the premium cost depends on your income, as well as the company you decide to purchase coverage from. Part D is optional, though if you do not sign up for it within a certain time frame of becoming eligible (and if you do not have other prescription coverage that Medicare considers "creditable") you will have to pay a higher premium rate for Part D.

For help figuring out which Part D plan is best for you, if you qualify for "extra help" with your Part D costs, and for information about how the new Part D will affect your state-based prescription coverage, you can contact your local Area Agency on Aging at 1-877-353-3771 for assistance and referrals.

Medicare Savings Programs (MSP)
for People on MEDICARE
Even if you don't qualify for full-coverage MaineCare, if you receive MEDICARE you may be eligible to participate in one of the MSPs. Like full-coverage MaineCare, these buy-in programs will pay for your Medicare premiums, co-insurances and deductibles. Click here for more information about the MaineCare Buy-in Programs.

Prescription Drug assistance may be available to seniors and people with disabilities with higher income levels. Disabled adults and adults 62 and over will qualify for the state Low Cost Drugs for the Elderly and Disabled program (DEL). Please see the Prescription Drugs section of this guide for more information about programs that can help you afford prescription drugs. These programs can provide some "wrap" coverage of Medicare Part D. These programs can also be very helpful to adults over 62, but under 65 and not yet eligible for Medicare.

Resources to help you find care and in some cases pay for it.