Online Health Insurance Screening Tool

New federal website allows seniors and others to screen for health insurance options  The website also includes information on how health reform will change health insurance options.  A video tour of the new website is available here.

Free Caregiver Education Online Videos

A San Antonio-based CCRC is offering free online educational videos for caregivers.  The videos run 10-15 minutes in length, are in English and Spanish, and cover a variety of topics including transfers, dementia and home safety, fall prevention, nutrition, advanced directives, and public benefits.  Users are asked to enter their zip code.

Public Benefits Online Screening Tools

The National Council on Aging’s online tool allows users to screen for and apply for federal and state public benefits. This federal website generates a list of all public benefits for which a user may be eligible.

Medicare’s Limited Income NET – Prescription assistance

Learn about Medicare’s Limited Income NET from these two federal tip sheets. Tip sheet 1 explains how the Limited Income NET program provides immediate prescription medication coverage for Medicare recipients presumed eligible for extra help, but who are not yet enrolled in a Medicare Part D plan. Tip sheet 2 explain retroactive prescription medication coverage [...]

Prescription & Patient Assistance Programs

While not health insurance, prescription discount cards and patient assistance programs can provide some assistance to seniors unable to afford their medications. Learn about pharmaceutical company sponsored patient assistance programs through Needy Meds website. Learn about national prescription discount cards from the  Medicare Rights Center. Learn about other prescription discount cards from Needy Meds website. Call or [...]

Medicare Part D appeals

In 2009, the Medicare Rights Center published a guide entitled, “Medicare Part D Appeals: An Advocates Manual to Navigating the Medicare Private Drug Plan Appeals Process.” Call or email Iona Information & Referral (202-895-9448; info@Iona.org) to find free senior health insurance counseling in your area.

Medicare Part D – General Information

Learn about Medicare Part D (Medicare’s prescription medication coverage) from these resources: Federal publication entitled, “Things to Think about When You Compare Medicare Drug Coverage.” Federal publication entitled, “Using Medicare’s Information on Quality to Help You Compare Plans.” National Council on Aging tutorial on Medicare Part D. Call or email Iona Information & Referral (202-895-9448; info@Iona.org) to [...]