Charlotte and Sarasota counties are among the top five metropolitan statistical areas with the highest percentage of people enrolled in Medicare, according to a U.S. Census Bureau study.

Ranking second in the nation, the Punta Gorda MSA, which includes Charlotte County, had 27.1 percent of its population enrolled in a Medicare program in 2004. The Vero Beach area, which measured 27.2 percent, led the pack.

The Sarasota, Bradenton and Venice MSA had 25.5 percent people enrolled in the same year. This area was ranked fourth.

An MSA must have at least one urbanized area of 50,000 or more inhabitants. In 2000, the U.S. had 362 MSAs, the bureau reported.

Medicare is the country's health insurance program for people 65 or older. People younger than 65 can qualify for the program, including those who have certain disabilities such as permanent kidney failure or Lou Gehrig's disease.

Longer lives

Paul Greene, public affairs specialist for the Social Security office in Sarasota, believes the number of retired people in Charlotte and Sarasota counties and seniors' increased life expectancy could be reasons the area has so many residents on Medicare.

Greene's office accepts the Medicare applications.

Medicare is funded by a portion of payroll taxes from workers and their employers. Monthly premiums, deducted from Social Security checks, also help pay for it.

Medicare has four programs that consumers can apply for: hospital insurance, prescription drug coverage, medical insurance and the Medicare Advantage program.

In July 2005, roughly 3 million people in Florida had Medicare's hospital insurance or medical insurance, according to the national Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Web site. In 2003, the state had 2.9 million.

About 60,000 more people were enrolled in Medicare statewide in 2002 than in 2005, Region 4 spokeswoman Lee Millman said.

More recent statistics than 2005 weren't available, but in 2003, Charlotte had 41,473 people enrolled in Medicare's hospital or medical insurance programs. Sarasota had 106,049 and Lee County had 106,110.

To find the medical office nearest you, visit www.ssa.gov or call (800) 772-1213.

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The programs

Medicare is the country's health insurance program for people 65 or older. People younger than 65 can qualify, including those who have certain disabilities, such as permanent kidney failure or Lou Gehrig's disease.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is the agency in charge of the Medicare program, but applications are accepted at Social Security offices. The program has four parts.

* Hospital insurance -- helps cover inpatient care in hospitals, including critical access hospitals and skilled nursing facilities (not custodial or long-term care). It also helps cover hospice care and some home health care. Beneficiaries must meet certain conditions to get these benefits.

* Medical insurance -- helps cover doctors' services and outpatient care. It also covers services such as physical and occupational therapy that part A doesn't cover. Most people pay a monthly premium for Part B.

* Medicare Advantage -- consumers with Medicare parts A and B can join this plan, formerly the Medicare + Choice plan. The plan includes Medicare preferred provider organization and Medicare speciality plans.

* Prescription drug coverage -- Medicare prescription drug coverage is insurance. Private companies provide the coverage. Beneficiaries choose the drug plan and pay a monthly premium. Everyone with Medicare can get this coverage.

{mos_sb_discuss:13} Life in Paradise or not

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