An Excellent Overview Of The Entire Medicare Program
The official US government Medicare handbook, Medicare & You, provides an excellent overview of the entire Medicare program. The 2013 edition below provides the most current information available on enrollment, Medicare choices, coverage, payment responsibilities, and government programs designed to help pay certain costs. Youll also learn about your rights and ways to protect yourself as an enrollee in Medicare.
Youll learn about the different parts of Medicare, including Part A and Part B, and whats covered by each. Equally importantly, youll learn what isnt covered. This handbook lists a variety of services Medicare doesnt cover, including routine dental care, cosmetic surgery, hearing aids, and long-term care.
Its important to keep up on any changes in Medicare that take place from year to year. The 2013 edition of Medicare & You is a comprehensive, up-to-date guide to Medicare services and a valuable resource to help you understand all Medicare has to offer in 2013.
To order a free paper copy of Medicare & You, visit the Medicare.gov Order Free Medicare Publications page and click Order. Other free Medicare-related publications are available for ordering at the same page.
Is Medicare & You Only For A New Medicare Beneficiary
You may think that the handbook is only for newcomers to the Medicare program and that its not relevant to you because youve been on Medicare for several years already or arent yet eligible. But this couldnt be further from the truth.
Changes are made to Medicare every year. These can include changes to monthly premiums, annual deductibles, various terms and conditions and even what Medicare covers. Its helpful to remain up to date on the latest changes so you can make the most of your Medicare coverage.
If you dont yet have Medicare, it will greatly help your financial planning and your understanding of your health coverage options if you familiarize yourself with Medicare before it becomes your health insurance coverage.
Book Medicare And You 2018 Description/summary:
The Medicare & You 2018 handbook provides Medicare beneficiaries with the information they need to understand their Medicare benefits. Topics covered include: -How Medicare Works -Signing Up for Medicare Part A & Part B -Finding Out if Medicare Covers Your Test, Service, or Item -What Original Medicare Is -Learning How Medicare Advantage Plans & Other Medicare Health Plans -What Medicare Supplement Insurance Policies Are -Information about Prescription Drug Coverage -Getting Help Paying for Health and Prescription Drug Costs -Knowing Your Rights and Protecting Yourself from Fraud -Getting More Information
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Book Medicare Entry Guide Description/summary:
Actual screen images guide you through Medicare enrollment Concise “To-Do” lists help you cover all the bases Direct links to prices throughout the United States 3 videos show how to locate Medicare coverage in your Zip Code Just start on the cover and let simple questions point you to guidance for your Medicare solution! If you’re nearing 65, don’t study rules for those over 65 — vice versa for those beyond 65. Let’s narrow down the options to fit your needs. From initial instruction, through actual enrollment side-by-side with people entering Medicare, the author has seen it all. Medicare Supplement, Part D, Medicare Advantage? They’re clearly explained. Please note, to simplify matters, this guide is not for people with comprehensive retiree health benefits, nor for career military or government retirees. To further simplify things for the majority of us, it does not address additional governmental programs such as Medicaid, disability benefits or low-income subsidies. Author’s Qualifications Over 10 years of experience assisting people entering Medicare 25 years of experience in the insurance division of Ross Perot’s Electronic Data Systems, EDS Contributor to The Wall Street Journal 1981 Graduate of The University of Texas at Austin Author has personally helped many people enroll Not affiliated with any insurance company or agency, licensed insurance Consultant, not sales Agent.
Next Time Get Your Medicare & You Handbook Electronically
Perhaps you got your paper copy of the 2021 Medicare & You handbook in the mail last fall, as you did the year before that. And the year before that. Maybe its time to make that your last paper copy.
When you sign up for the e-version of the Medicare & You handbook, youll get information faster, while saving tax dollars and helping the environment. The online eHandbook has all the same information as your trusted paper copy of the Medicare & You handbookplus its searchable, letting you find the information you need quickly and easily.
Ready to sign up for the e-version of the Medicare & You handbook for next fall? Follow these 2 simple steps at Medicare.gov/gopaperless:
Also, you have the right to get the Medicare & You handbook for free in an accessible format, like Braille, large print, data/audio files, relay services and TTY communications. For more information, visit Medicare.gov/about-us/accessibility-nondiscriminationnotice, or call 1-800-MEDICARE. TTY users can call 1-877-486-2048.
Get your next copy of the Medicare & You handbook electronicallygo paperless!
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Section : Medicare Supplement Insurance
This section explains what Medicare Supplement plans are and how they work. The guidebook includes a Medicare Supplement plan comparison chart that shows what benefits are offered by each of the 10 different types of standardized Medicare Supplement Insurance plans. Youll also learn about Medigap enrollment and other need-to-know information.
Section : Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage
Pages: 73-82
Medicare Part D is the final type of private Medicare insurance. These plans provide coverage exclusively for prescription drugs and are used alongside Original Medicare.
Section 6 of Medicare & You 2020 includes information pertaining to Part D plans such as:
- How the plans work
- Joining, switching and dropping plans
- What youll pay
- How these plans work with other insurance
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Can I Get The Medicare & You 2021 Handbook In Other Formats
Yes. You can get an electronic version of Medicare & You 2021 from the Medicare website. In fact, if you want to go green and inform Medicare you wish to receive communications electronically rather than by postal mail. You can download a PDF to your computer. Keep in mind Medicare & You is about 130 pages long. If you choose to keep it in an electronic format, you can find topics using key word searches and hyperlinks from the table of contents. You can get the Medicare & You 2021 handbook in English or Spanish. You can also download a copy of Medicare & You in large print or Braille. You can listen to audio podcasts of Medicare & You 2021 chapters. Finally, you can order paper or CD versions of Medicare & You by calling Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. TTY/TTD users can call 1-877-486-2048. You get Medicare & You free of charge.
Would you like to learn more about your Medicare coverage options? Type in your zip code and click the button on this page.
New To Medicare?
Becoming eligible for Medicare can be daunting. But dont worry, were here to help you understand Medicare in 15 minutes or less.
Compare Home Health Agencies:
The Medicare.gov Home Health Compare tool lets you search for home health agencies. Medicare A and Medicare B cover limited home health services if your doctor determines they are necessary for your treatment. The Home Health Compare tool filters results based on zip code and the specific services provided by the home health agency, including nursing care, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social services, and home health aide services.
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What Topics Arent Included In The Medicare & You 2021 Handbook
Medicare & You 2021 doesnt include plan-specific information for example, when it comes to Medicare Advantage plans or Medicare prescription drug plans. If you have a Medicare Advantage or Medicare prescription drug plan, youll find plan-specific information in your plans 2021 Evidence of Coverage and Summary of Benefits. The Annual Notice of Change explains changes in the 2021 plan and benefits.
S Of Medicare And Your Coverage Options
Medicare & You 2021 includes basic information about the parts of Medicare and your various coverage options, which include: The Medicare & You 2020 handbook from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
The possible combinations of Medicare coverage you might typically have include:
- Part A only
- Part A and Part D
- Part A, Part B and Part D
- Part A, Part B and Medigap
- Part A, Part B, Part D and Medigap
- Part C and Part D
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Section : Original Medicare
Pages: 51-54
Part A and Part B of Medicare are known as Original Medicare. This is the portion of Medicare that is provided by the federal government.
This section of the handbook discusses how Original Medicare works, what youll need to pay, how Original Medicare is accepted by health care providers and everything else you need to know about using Original Medicare.
Getting Help Paying For Medicare
Beneficiaries with limited financial resources may qualify for one of several programs designed to help pay for Medicare costs.
These programs include:
- State Pharmacy Assistance Programs
- Pharmaceutical Assistance Programs
- Programs of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly
- Supplemental Security Income benefits
You can learn more about the benefits and eligibility requirements of each program in the Medicare & You 2021 handbook.
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Medicare Coinsurance And Copayments
- Medicare Part A requires the following coinsurance amounts in 2020 for most inpatient hospital services :
- Days 1-60 in hospital: $0 coinsurance per benefit period
- Days 61-90: $352 coinsurance per day of each benefit period
- Days 91 and beyond: $704 coinsurance per each lifetime reserve day after day 90 for each benefit period
- Beyond lifetime reserve days: You are responsible for all costs
Section : Signing Up For Medicare
Pages: 15-24
There are only certain times of the year during which you may .
When you first become eligible for Medicare, you will be given an Initial Enrollment Period that begins three months before you turn 65 years old, includes the month of your birthday and continues for three more months for a total of seven months.
If you are already receiving retirement benefits from Social Security or the Railroad Retirement Board at least four months before turning 65, you should be automatically enrolled in Medicare.
If youre under 65 and eligible for Medicare due to disability, youll be automatically enrolled on your 25th month of receiving Social Security or certain RRB disability benefits. If you have ALS , youll be automatically enrolled the first month your disability benefits begin.
If you arent automatically enrolled, you can manually enroll during your IEP. If you have end-stage renal disease , you typically must manually enroll as well.
Most people qualify for premium-free Medicare Part A . Medicare Part B is optional, though many people sign up for it.
The Annual Enrollment Period is also known as the Annual Election Period and the Medicare Open Enrollment Period for Medicare Advantage and prescription drug plans, which lasts from October 15 to December 7 every year.
During the Annual Enrollment Period, you may be able to join, switch or drop a Medicare Advantage plan or a Medicare Part D prescription drug plan.
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Section : Medicare Supplement Insurance Policies
Pages: 69-72
Medicare Supplement Insurance, or Medigap, is another type of private Medicare insurance. These policies are used on top of Original Medicare to provide coverage for some of the out-of-pocket expenses required under Part A and Part B.
This section of the book details the various expenses covered by each of the 10 available Medicare Supplement Insurance plans. It also explains what else you need to know about Medigap including when and how to buy it.
When To Enroll In Medicare
Some people are automatically enrolled in Medicare Part A and Part B.
You may be automatically enrolled if youre already receiving Social Security or Railroad Retirement Board benefits for at least 4 months prior to turning 65.
You should also be automatically enrolled if you qualify for Medicare before age 65 due to a disability. If you qualify, youll be automatically enrolled on your 25th month of receiving Social Security disability benefits or certain RRB disability benefits.
If you have ALS , your Medicare coverage begins the first month you receive qualifying disability benefits.
If you need to manually enroll in Medicare, the best time to do so is during your 7-month Initial Enrollment Period , which begins 3 months before you turn 65 years old, includes your birthday month and continues for another 3 months.
You can also enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan or Prescription Drug Plan during this period.
The best time to enroll in Medicare Supplement Insurance is during your Medigap Open Enrollment Period, which begins once you are 65 years old and enrolled in Medicare Part B.
You may be eligible to enroll in, drop or switch Medicare Advantage plans and Part D plans during the Medicare Annual Enrollment Period , which happens every year between .
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How To Enroll In A Medicare Advantage Plan
Connect with a licensed insurance agent today to explore your Medicare Advantage plan options.
Or call 1-800-557-6059TTY Users: 711 to speak with a licensed insurance agent. We accept calls 24/7!
About the author
Christian Worstell is a licensed insurance agent and a Senior Staff Writer for MedicareAdvantage.com. He is passionate about helping people navigate the complexities of Medicare and understand their coverage options.
His work has been featured in outlets such as Vox, MSN, and The Washington Post, and he is a frequent contributor to health care and finance blogs.
Christian is a graduate of Shippensburg University with a bachelors degree in journalism. He currently lives in Raleigh, NC.
Where you’ve seen coverage of Christian’s research and reports:
MedicareAdvantage.com is a website owned and operated by TZ Insurance Solutions LLC. TZ Insurance Solutions LLC and TruBridge, Inc. represent Medicare Advantage Organizations and Prescription Drug Plans having Medicare contracts enrollment in any plan depends upon contract renewal.
Plan availability varies by region and state. For a complete list of available plans, please contact 1-800-MEDICARE , 24 hours a day/7 days a week or consult www.medicare.gov.
Medicare has neither reviewed nor endorsed this information.
Medicare And You 2020 The Official U S Government Medicare Handbook
Download or Read online Medicare And You 2020 The Official U S Government Medicare Handbook full HQ books. Available in PDF, ePub and Kindle. We cannot guarantee that Medicare And You 2020 The Official U S Government Medicare Handbook book is available. Click Get Book button to download or read books, you can choose FREE Trial service. Join over 650.000 happy Readers and READ as many books as you like .
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Medicare Guide 202: Heres Where To Find Help
Medicare open enrollment, which runs now to Dec. 7, can pose intimidating and complicated choices. Thats one reason why Congress spends nearly $45 million each year on State Health Insurance Assistance Programs . The advisory programs train volunteers to help seniors navigate the Medicare maze.
Last year, most in-person counseling and workshops were canceled because of COVID-19. This year, the surge of cases from the delta variant has prompted many counseling sessions to go online again.
Where To Get Your Copy Of Medicare & You 2020
If you are currently enrolled in Medicare, you should receive a copy of Medicare & You 2020 by the end of October of 2019. If you have not received your copy by then, call 1-800-633-4227 to request one.
You may also view an electronic version of the handbook, whether or not you are enrolled in Medicare.
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Your Medicare Rights And Fraud Protection
Medicare beneficiaries are granted a number of rights and protections, which include:
- Protection from discrimination
- The privacy of personal and health information
- The ability to receive information in your native language
- Access to health care providers for medically necessary services
- Learning about treatment options and participating in treatment discussions
- The ability to file appeals regarding decisions about coverage or payment
- The freedom to file complaints about the quality of care
The Medicare & You 2021 handbook also identifies a number of ways you can keep yourself safe from Medicare fraud.
Section : Get More Information
Pages: 101-112
As youve probably figured out by now, there is a lot of information to know as it relates to Medicare. Section 9 of Medicare & You 2020 describes the various ways you can get more personalized help with your Medicare both online and over the phone.
This section also explains how to compare the quality of health care providers and plans.
Youll also find a directory of State Health Insurance Assistance Programs for each state.
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