With the ever expanding needs on healthcare services, the US government keeps on adjusting with the modifications and improvements in its healthcare policies to essentially accommodate these changes. One example is the Medicare program. Originally, Medicare is offered in two packages namely the Part A and the Part B, both of which necessitated the purchase of the Medigap policy to fill in the gaps of the policy.

Recently, as sourced from www medicare gov, the healthcare program has added two additional core benefits called the Advantage Plan and Long-Term Care Plan corresponding to Medicare Part C and Part D, respectively. With the Medicare Part C, purchase of the Medigap policy is no longer necessary as the package has a relative more comprehensive coverage, including prescription drug coverage which is lacking in the original two Medicare benefits packages. The Medicare Part D is meant to provide aid in paying for skilled nursing services such as those in nursing homes.

All of the Medicare Plans have premiums and higher premiums are assigned with plans of wider coverage. The Medicaid premiums are paid in the form of taxes deducted monthly from an individual’s salary and the standard allotment is set at 2.0%- the value or payment is shared between the worker and the employer. Individual contributors pay this percentage in full. State subsidy or premium payment exception is given to individuals who do not have the means to pay for the premiums and applications for state subsidy is made tot e local social security agency.