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Golden Inspirations |
"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has."
- Margaret Mead
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Home  In this Issue Senior and Senior News Marci's Medicare Answers Oct. 07
Marci's Medicare Answers
Dear Marci,
I like Original Medicare because it allows me to see nearly every doctor in the country. Since I don't have retiree coverage, how can I supplement Medicare?
-Anne
Dear Anne,
You can buy a Medigap plan. Unlike private health plans, that may offer additional services but require that you follow the plan's rules, Medigap plans simply supplement Original Medicare. There are 12 Medigap plans (A-L) that each cover health costs that Medicare does not cover, like the hospital inpatient deductible, coinsurance for doctors' visits and coinsurance for a Medicare-certified skilled nursing facility. Insurance companies can charge different premiums for the same Medigap plans, so shop around to find the least expensive plan. You can call 800-MEDICARE to learn more about Medigap plans.
-Marci
Dear Marci,
My Mom has pancreatic cancer and her doctor said she will not live much longer. Can Medicare help?
-Eren
Dear Eren,
Your mother may qualify for hospice, or "end-of-life," care. The hospice benefit covers services to help people live as comfortably as possible (palliative care), but does not cover treatment. These benefits range from home health care and skilled nursing care, to pain medications and counseling for your mother and family. To qualify for hospice care, your mother must have Medicare Part A, her doctor must certify that she will live less than six months, and she must agree that she wants Medicare to pay for palliative care rather than treatments to try to cure her illness (she can receive treatment for other conditions). Medicare will only cover care that a Medicare-certified hospice agency provides. To learn more about hospice care, call 800-MEDICARE or the Eldercare Locator at 800-677-1116.
-Marci
Dear Marci,
I just qualified for a Medicare Savings Program, which will pay my Part B premium. Is it true that I can sign up for the Medicare drug benefit before November 15th?
-Jeff
Dear Jeff,
Yes. Most people with Medicare can only sign up for or change Medicare private drug plans (Part D) between November 15th and December 31st each year. If you qualify for a Medicare Savings Program (MSP) that helps pay for your out-of-pocket Medicare costs, you will get a Special Enrollment Period (SEP) to join, disenroll from or switch Part D plans the month you become eligible. Everyone who has an MSP automatically qualifies for Extra Help, a federal program that lowers Medicare prescription drug costs. If you have Extra Help, you are allowed to change Part D plans once a month. Call 800-MEDICARE, or Social Security at 800-772-1213, for more information.
-Marci
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Marci's Medicare Answers is a service of the Medicare Rights Center (http://www.medicarerights.org), the nation's largest independent source of information and assistance for people with Medicare. To subscribe to "Dear Marci," MRC's free educational e-newsletter, simply e-mail dearmarci@medicarerights.org.
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