I have just medicare (parts A, B and D with medigap ins)..yes, they do cover hospitalizations (I also have what is called Medigap insurance..traditional Medicare covers 80% of durable medical, hospitalizations, doctors etc. If you are hospitalized frequently, medigap is a good idea because it covers the 20% that medicare does not). Mel is also right about home IV's...Medicare does not cover home IV's. They would rather pay for a huge inpatient bill than to do home IV's which I can not wrap my mind around as far as that piece of logic goes. I am in the hospital a minimum of 3 times a year for my IV's, sometimes for up to 8 weeks (I kid you not).
<br />I also have Medicare part D, which is prescription coverage. You have to be really careful about which plan you chose. Go to medicare.gov to figure out what plans there are available for your state. In NY, there were something like 40+ plans to choose from, with their own premiums and coverage. I am on tons of meds, I for the most part take generics because the coverage is better if I opt for them and cheaper. I chose Humana complete. A few years ago, they used to cover everything including brand and specialy drugs through the "doughnut hole". The doughnut hole is the point where you have to pay for everything (I think it is after something like the first $2500 or so, then you have to spend another couple of thousand of dollars to hit the catastrophic coverage when the insurance kicks back in and you have a 5% copay on everything including brand name and specialty drugs. Definitely check out the site to see what the specifics are). I chose a plan that covers some drugs throughout this doughnut hole...only thing is that it covers generics only until I hit that catastrophic level. I guess it is better than nothing, I could be paying gigantic amounts, thousands for my meds which I could easily do. In NY, there aren't any plans that cover everything through the doughnut hole, the best you can get is generics. I do get brand coverage until I hit that stage though, but as you well know, our meds are very expensive and it takes but a few months to hit the doughnut hole with myself.
<br />Medicare can be very tricky...I took quite some time to figure out what plans would be the best for me. There is traditional Medicare with Medigap insurance, there are medicare advantage plans which are basically HMO's and you have to use whatever docs and hospitals that are in that network. Some of the advantage plans have prescription coverage built in but with the same restrictions that apply to other plan D plans.
<br />Like I said, they cover durable medical equipment such as nebulizers and oxygen. This is medicare part B. This part also includes doctors visits. Part A is hospitalization. In my case, my ventilators (2 of them) and all of the supplies that goes with having a trach and vent. One thing you also need to know, if you have nebulized meds such as TOBI, pulmozyme etc...they cover it under part B, not part D because it has to be delivered through a durable medical device (nebulizer). Wierd I know but hey, no complaints from me. I would much rather not have to pay a thing for my TOBI nebs and stuff (my medigap picks up the 20% that isn't covered by part B)
<br />I know...confusing. It is still a mystery as to how they come to some charges or coverages. If you want to PM me please do..Hugs, Jenn <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">
