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Medicare Answers
Medicare answers help people with Medicare, their families and caregivers–understand Medicare benefits and options. Articles feature Medicare coverage advice, basic health tips, and links to vital health care resources. For in-depth Medicare information and resources, visit the Medicare Rights Center’s free and independent online reference tool, Medicare Interactive.
Tips for Enrolling in Medicare During the Coronavirus Public Health Emergency
October 13, 2020
The Social Security Administration processes Medicare enrollment applications. During the coronavirus public health emergency, local Social Security offices are closed to the public, but many services are available online and over the phone.
What You Need to Know About Coronavirus and Medicare Coverage
October 12, 2020
As the number of cases of COVID-19 (also called coronavirus) increases, so does the importance of programs like Medicare in helping older adults, people with disabilities, and their families build and maintain their health and economic security. Accordingly, policymakers are taking critical steps to ensure program preparedness, keep beneficiaries and the public informed, and facilitate timely access to appropriate care.
There’s a Special Enrollment Period Available if you Experienced Plan Finder Problems
December 13, 2019
If you are dissatisfied with your plan selection because of misinformation you saw on Plan Finder, you can use a special circumstances Special Enrollment Period (SEP) to choose a new plan. This SEP exists to address enrollment problems that do not fit into any other SEP category or that are related to misinformation received from plans or Medicare.
Time for Medicare Enrollment – Time to Talk Turkey!
November 27, 2019
Medicare Fall Open Enrollment continues through December 7 — so you still have time to make certain changes to your
Getting Started With the New Medicare Plan Finder
October 10, 2019
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) launched a redesigned version of the Medicare Plan Finder. Many of the functions are the same, but the look and feel has been updated, and the way you access a personalized or basic search has changed.
This post outlines some of the changes and provides a brief walkthrough of how to search for Medicare Advantage and Part D plans.
What Are the Marketing Rules for Medicare Plans?
September 17, 2019
Dear Marci,
I volunteer at a local senior center and I have Medicare myself. With Medicare’s Fall Open Enrollment coming up, I know that Medicare plans will be advertising. What rules do these plans have to follow? What should we do if plans break these rules?
-Cindy (Bridgeport, CT)
Medigap Changes in 2020
April 11, 2019
As a result of the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015 (MACRA), individuals who are newly eligible for Medicare on or after January 1, 2020 will not be able to purchase Medigap Plan C or Plan F (including the Plan F high deductible option). This is because after January 1, 2020, MACRA prevents individuals new to Medicare from purchasing Medigaps that pay for the Part B deductible ($185 in 2019). Both Plan C and Plan F cover the Part B deductible.
Competitive Bidding Program Temporarily Lapses—Expected to Begin Again in 2021
January 28, 2019
On January 1, 2019, the durable medical equipment (DME) competitive bidding program temporarily ended.
The competitive bidding program was originally designed to reduce out-of-pocket expenses and help ensure that people with Medicare had access to quality DME, supplies, and services from suppliers they could trust. The program benefited people who had Original Medicare, lived in a competitive bidding area, and needed DME that fell under the competitive bidding program.
How should I communicate with my health care providers?
December 27, 2018
Dear Marci,
I sometimes worry that I’m not communicating well with my health care providers. What are some things I can do to get the most out of my doctors’ appointments?
Nelson (Worcester, MA)
Tips for Enrolling in Medicare During the Coronavirus Public Health Emergency
October 13, 2020
The Social Security Administration processes Medicare enrollment applications. During the coronavirus public health emergency, local Social Security offices are closed to the public, but many services are available online and over the phone.
What You Need to Know About Coronavirus and Medicare Coverage
October 12, 2020
As the number of cases of COVID-19 (also called coronavirus) increases, so does the importance of programs like Medicare in helping older adults, people with disabilities, and their families build and maintain their health and economic security. Accordingly, policymakers are taking critical steps to ensure program preparedness, keep beneficiaries and the public informed, and facilitate timely access to appropriate care.
There’s a Special Enrollment Period Available if you Experienced Plan Finder Problems
December 13, 2019
If you are dissatisfied with your plan selection because of misinformation you saw on Plan Finder, you can use a special circumstances Special Enrollment Period (SEP) to choose a new plan. This SEP exists to address enrollment problems that do not fit into any other SEP category or that are related to misinformation received from plans or Medicare.
Time for Medicare Enrollment – Time to Talk Turkey!
November 27, 2019
Medicare Fall Open Enrollment continues through December 7 — so you still have time to make certain changes to your
Getting Started With the New Medicare Plan Finder
October 10, 2019
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) launched a redesigned version of the Medicare Plan Finder. Many of the functions are the same, but the look and feel has been updated, and the way you access a personalized or basic search has changed.
This post outlines some of the changes and provides a brief walkthrough of how to search for Medicare Advantage and Part D plans.
What Are the Marketing Rules for Medicare Plans?
September 17, 2019
Dear Marci,
I volunteer at a local senior center and I have Medicare myself. With Medicare’s Fall Open Enrollment coming up, I know that Medicare plans will be advertising. What rules do these plans have to follow? What should we do if plans break these rules?
-Cindy (Bridgeport, CT)
Medigap Changes in 2020
April 11, 2019
As a result of the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015 (MACRA), individuals who are newly eligible for Medicare on or after January 1, 2020 will not be able to purchase Medigap Plan C or Plan F (including the Plan F high deductible option). This is because after January 1, 2020, MACRA prevents individuals new to Medicare from purchasing Medigaps that pay for the Part B deductible ($185 in 2019). Both Plan C and Plan F cover the Part B deductible.
Competitive Bidding Program Temporarily Lapses—Expected to Begin Again in 2021
January 28, 2019
On January 1, 2019, the durable medical equipment (DME) competitive bidding program temporarily ended.
The competitive bidding program was originally designed to reduce out-of-pocket expenses and help ensure that people with Medicare had access to quality DME, supplies, and services from suppliers they could trust. The program benefited people who had Original Medicare, lived in a competitive bidding area, and needed DME that fell under the competitive bidding program.
How should I communicate with my health care providers?
December 27, 2018
Dear Marci,
I sometimes worry that I’m not communicating well with my health care providers. What are some things I can do to get the most out of my doctors’ appointments?
Nelson (Worcester, MA)