MEDICARE

PROGRAM ADMINISTRATION: Medicare is a federally funded hospital and medical insurance program administered by the U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).

Medicare Part A, Part B, Part C, Part D:

Medicare A - Pays for inpatient hospital and isome nursing home/inpatient rehabilitation care. Medicare A is free to anyone age 65 and older, or under age 65 if disabled for at least 24 months, provided that the person (or the person's spouse) has earned enough work credits to qualify. Elders and people with disabilities who have not earned enough work credits can have Medicare A but they must pay for it. Medicare A has deductibles and co-pays.

Medicare B - Pays for outpatient medical care, such as doctor visits and lab fees. There is a monthly premium for Medicare B; however, income eligible individuals can have the premium paid for them if they apply for a Medicare Savings Program. In addition to the premium, Medicare B has deductibles and co-pays. One of the Medicare Savings Programs, QMB, also pays for deductibles and co-pays.

Medicare Part C - Private health plans, sometimes called “ Medicare Advantage” (MA) plans, that contract with Medicare to provide medical care through a network of providers. To join a Part C plan, you must be enrolled in Parts A and B, which means that you continue to pay the B premium. Part C plans require that you get your medical care through their network of providers.

Medicare Part D - Covers prescription drugs. Part D prescription drug plans are offered by several different privately managed plans; people with Medicare A and/or B must enroll into one of the plans to be covered. Part D has premiums, deductibles and co-pays; however, low income individuals can apply for Part D "Extra Help" program for help with these costs.

CMS MEDICARE'S NUMBER: 1-800-MEDICARE

• For general Medicare information, ordering Medicare booklets, and information about health plans, contact1-800-MEDICARE 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
• English and Spanish-speaking ustomer service representatives can answer questions about the Original Medicare Plan and provide up-to-date information on specific health plans available in your area.

MEDICARE'S WEBSITE, www.medicare.gov, offers Medicare information, including a section for Frequently Asked Questions. A copy of the Medicare and You book, which is mailed to all Medicare beneficiaries every fall, can be downloaded from Medicare's website.

CENTER FOR MEDICARE ADVOCACY's website, www.medicareadvocacy.org, also offers information about many Medicare issues.

TO FIND PROVIDERS IN CONNECTICUT'S COMMUNITY RESOURCES DATABASE:
Search by service names:
Medicare
Medicare Information/Counseling
Medicare Part D Low Income Subsidy Applications
Health Care Referrals forMedicare Beneficiaries
Benefits Assistance for Medicare Beneficiaries
Medicare Savings Programs

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SOURCE: U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services; Center for Medicare Advocacy
PREPARED BY: 211/rj
CONTENT LAST REVIEWED: January2008