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Social Security Column
Half a Century of Help with Medicare
By Phil Walton, Social Security Manager in Toledo, OH
Guest Column
On July 30, 1965, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed
Medicare into law with these words: “No longer will older
Americans be denied the healing miracle of modern medicine.
No longer will illness crush and destroy the savings that
they have so carefully put away over a lifetime.” For 50
years, the Medicare program has provided essential health
care services for millions of people who are age 65 or
older, disabled, or have debilitating diseases. Without
Medicare, many people would not be able to pay for hospital
care, doctor’s visits, medical tests, preventive services,
or prescription drugs.
Your Medicare card is the most important piece of
identification you own as a Medicare beneficiary since
medical providers will request it when you seek their
services. If you need to replace a lost, stolen, or damaged
Medicare card, you can do it online with a my Social
Security
account at
www.socialsecurity.gov/myaccount.
Requesting a replacement card through my Social Security
is safe, convenient, and easy. Going online saves you a
trip to your local Social Security office or unproductive
time on the phone. Request your replacement Medicare card
the easy and convenient way — online — and you’ll get it in
the same amount of time as you would if you applied in an
office or over the phone — in about 30 days.
Fifty years ago, Medicare didn’t have as many options as it
does today. As the largest public health program in the
United States, Medicare includes four parts to keep you
covered:
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Part A is insurance that covers inpatient hospital
stays, outpatient care in nursing facilities, hospice,
and home health care.
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Part B includes medical insurance for doctor’s services,
medical supplies, outpatient care, and preventive
services.
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Part C is a Medicare advantage plan that allows you to
choose your health care coverage through a provider
organization. You must have Part A and Part B to enroll
in Part C. This plan usually includes Medicare
prescription drug coverage and may include extra
benefits and services at an additional cost.
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Part D is prescription drug coverage. There is a
separate monthly premium for this plan; however, people
with low resources and income may qualify for the
Extra Help with Medicare prescription drug costs
from Social Security. Visit
www.socialsecurity.gov/prescriptionhelp to
see if you qualify.
A recent survey to Medicare beneficiaries asked: Why do you
love Medicare? One person stated, “It gives peace of mind
not only for seniors, but for veterans and disabled as
well.” Another satisfied recipient replied, “I most likely
wouldn’t be alive today without Medicare.” These are just
two of the millions who endorse Medicare’s half-century
strong success story. For more information about Medicare,
visit
www.medicare.gov. As
Medicare celebrates 50 years, Social Security commemorates
80 years. Learn more about Social Security’s 80th
anniversary at
www.socialsecurity.gov/80thanniversary.
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