Medicare Plans – Links, Costs, and Other information
In another section we have a series of links devoted to the costs of Medicare and its various Parts; A, B, D, and the other letters of the alphabet it claims ;-D You will also find explanation of the various plans that you can choose from, including a link that allows you to input your personal information and see a list of specific plans in your own area with all the options and costs compared for you.
Medicare Fact Sheets – Consumer Fact Sheets from the Medicare Rights Center
Consumer Fact Sheets
The Medicare Rights Center’s library includes many useful educational materials—including consumer fact sheets—that can enhance professional trainings and meetings, support beneficiary and caregiver learning, and generally serve as a handy reference for anyone who is trying to sort through the vast array of Medicare-related information.
Our materials reflect the experience of our helpline counselors who answer thousands of questions each year from Medicare beneficiaries, their caregivers, and professionals who serve people with Medicare. Common questions include:
- Medicare and the Health Insurance Marketplaces: A Toolkit for Consumers and Professionals
- When do I enroll in Medicare ?
- What can I do if my health plan denies me coverage of a medical service ?
- How can I pay less for my medications ?
To find out more about the educational resources available through the Medicare Rights Center, and to request customized materials, please contact Scarlet Watts at swatts@medicarerights.org
Managing Medicare
Get the most from this comprehensive health insurance option for seniors
Consumer Reports – September 2012
Medicare offers comprehensive health insurance coverage to people 65 and older. But the decisions and choices you face can be confusing and overwhelming. Here’s our step-by-step guide for getting the most out of Medicare.
Getting started
Navigating Medicare can be confusing, especially for new beneficiaries. Here’s what you need to know.
What’s covered by parts A, B, and D
Medicare comes in three parts:
Part A covers hospital inpatient care, some types of home health care, hospice care, and care in skilled nursing facilities. There is no premium for Part A if you or your spouse has earned at least 40 Social Security work credits. Part B covers doctor services, outpatient hospital care, preventive care, and some types of home health care. You have to pay a monthly premium for Part B. In 2012, it’s $99.90 for individuals with an income of less than $85,000 a year and couples with an income of less than $170,000. Higher-earning beneficiaries pay more on a sliding scale up to $320 a month for the wealthiest. Part D covers prescription drugs. You have to pay a monthly premium for Part D unless you get it as part of a Medicare Advantage plan. In 2012 the average premium for a plan is about $31 a month, but prices can vary considerably. Individuals with an income of more than $85,000 a year and joint tax filers with an income of more than $170,000 pay a premium surcharge of up to $66 a month on a sliding scale related to income and tax filing status.
To read the rest of this excellent article CLICK HERE. It is a very in-depth piece and well worth the time.
AN ADVOCATES MANUAL TO NAVIGATING THE MEDICARE PRIVATE DRUG PLAN APPEALS PROCESS
From the Medicare Rights Center
Many of us who deal with CRPS on a daily basis are now on Medicare and therefore deal with one of the many private Medicare private Part D drug plans. Their formularies can be pretty confusing and they can, and usually do, change each year. A medication that you have been taking all of last year can suddenly not be covered this year, perhaps it is now in a different Tier, or maybe they suddenly switch you from the name brand to the generic. So what do you do? Many of the plans have numbers for appeals but it can be confusing. The Medicare Rights Center is here to help. This is an amazing organization whose website you need to visit if you haven’t been there before. The link is below. We have provided a link to the new Advocates Manual called NAVIGATING THE PRIVATE DRUG PLAN APPEALS PROCESS that guides you step by step through what can be a frustrating experience. The article was recently shared by the RSDSA and the link is below.
PEACE, Keith Orsini, American RSDHope
Medicare Part D Appeals: An advocate’s manual to navigating the Medicare private drug plan appeals process