Question

Why do you think the process for obtaining Medicare is easier and straightforward compared to the process for obtaining state children's health insurance ?

Answer 1

Medicare

               Medicare is the federal health insurance program for:

· People who are 65 or older.

· Certain younger people with disabilities.

· People with End-Stage Renal Disease (permanent kidney failure requiring dialysis or a transplant, sometimes called ESRD)

There are four parts of Medicare: Part A, Part B, Part C, and Part D.

· Part A provides inpatient/hospital coverage.

· Part B provides outpatient/medical coverage.

· Part C offers an alternate way to receive your Medicare benefits

· Part D provides prescription drug coverage.

Process for obtaining Medicare

          If you're over 65 (or turning 65 in the next 3 months) and not already getting benefits from Social Security, you need to sign up to get Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance) and Part B (Medical Insurance).

Apply for Medicare Here:

1. Online at www.SocialSecurity.gov.

2. By calling Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY users 1-800-325-0778), Monday through Friday, from 7AM to 7PM.

3. In-person at your local Social Security office.

Information and Documents You Need to Enroll in Medicare

1. Your birth certificate or other proof of birth.

2. Proof of United States citizenship or legal residency

3. Driver's license.

          In most cases, you will receive your Medicare card about 3 weeks after you apply. If you are already receiving Social Security benefits when you turn 65, your enrollment into Medicare is automatic. Your coverage starts the first day of the month you turn 65.

State children's health insurance

                  The Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) is a federal healthcare program that provides medical coverage to those 19 or younger whose parents can't afford private insurance but make too much for Medicaid.

                  States may have varying eligibility rules, but in most states, uninsured children under the age of 19 whose families earn up to $36,200 a year (for a family of four) are eligible.

Process for obtaining SCHIP

Apply in SCHIP by:

· Call 1-800-318-2596 (TTY: 1-855-889-4325).

· Fill out an application through the Health Insurance Marketplace. If it looks like anyone in your household qualifies for Medicaid or CHIP, we’ll send your information to your state agency. They’ll contact you about enrollment. When you submit your Marketplace application, you’ll also find out if you qualify for an individual insurance plan with savings based on your income instead.

Information and Documents You Need to Enroll in SCHIP  

1. Proof of Age.

2. Proof of Citizenship.

3. Identity.

4. Marital Status

5. Financial Resources. Checking Account Statements.

6. Other. Social Security Card(front and back)

7. Income. Most Recent Pay Stubs

                 Once they received your signed application, within four to six weeks let us know whether your children are eligible for CHIP. Incomplete applications will delay processing.

                    From the above discussion, we can find a conclusion that for processes for obtaining Medicare is more easier than obtaining for SCHIP. Medicare will do all the processing within 3 weeks but the SCHIP will take 4-6 weeks for processing to obtain the Insurance.