Subsidized and Low Cost Dental Care

Medicare does not cover routine dental care

• Learn about the type of dental care covered by Medicare.

Learn about federally subsidized health centers

The federal HRSA subsidizes health centers nationwide that provide dental and medical care on a pay-as-you-can basis.

• Find a federally subsidized health center.

Learn about l0w-cost dental care from dental and hygienist schools

Many dental and hygienist schools offer low-cost dental care from professionally supervised students

• Find a dental school from the American Dental Association.
• Find a hygienist school from the American Dental Hygienist Association.

Learn about other DC Metro resources

• (DC) – Find a local dental clinic that charges sliding-scale fees.
• VA) – The Northern Virginia Dental Clinic provides dental assistance to l0w-income Alexandria residents.

Learn about national resources

• The Dental Lifeline Network engages private dentists to provide pro-bono services for seniors and people with disabilities.

 

Retirement Planning Guides: Social Security and Health Insurance

1. 2 page AARP consumer guide entitled, “Money Matters: Timing Your Retirement,” includes advice on when to draw from Social Security
2. 28 page Metlife Mature Market Institute consumer guide entitled, “Retirement Planning: Health Care Considerations.”  The guide includes information on Medicare and other health insurance options

Medicare Open Enrollment 2010 Guide

From 11/15/10 through 12/31/10, Medicare beneficiaries may make changes to their health and medication converage plans.

Understanding Medicare: Need a refresher on Medicare?  These resources may help.

1. Learn about Medicare Parts A and B  here and here.
2. Learn about Medicare Part D here and here.
3. Learn about Medicare Part C (Advantage Plans) here and here.
4. Learn about Medigap plans here.
5. Learn about what health benefits are new to Medicare starting 2011.

Understanding Assistance for Low-Income Beneficiaries

1. Learn about Medicare Savings Programs (QMB, SLMB, etc.).
2. Learn about the Low Income Subsidy–extra help for Part D.

Understanding Open Enrollment

1. Read an explanation of the process here.

Understanding How to Compare Plans: During open enrollment, benefiaries may choose between Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage for their health plan, and among many Medicare Part D plans for their prescription coverage.  These federal resources may help.

1. Learn how to use Medicare’s online comparison tool via this video.
2. Use Medicare’s online comparison tool here.

Understanding How to Change Plans or Enroll in a New Plan: During open enrollment, beneficiaries may change health or Part D plans by calling Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE.   Beneficiaries may change Part D plans by calling Medicare or online at www.Medicare.gov.  For more detailed information, see the resources below.

1. Learn here how to change from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage plan.
2. Learn here how to change from Medicare Advantage to Original Medicare.
3. Learn here how to change from one Medicare Advantage plan to another.
4. Learn here how to enroll in a Medicare Part D plan.

Medicare Counseling: These organizations provide free Medicare counseling to benefiaries and/or professionals.

1. The Medicare Rights Center provides free Medicare counseling to professionals (1-800-333-4114 or professional@medicarerights.org) and to consumers (1-800-333-4114).  Spanish and English spoken.
2. Every state has at least one State Health Insurance Counseling Program (SHIP).  To find state SHIPS, visit this website.

Finding a doctor that takes your insurance

In 2009, the Washington Post published an article describing the website zocdoc, where patients can search and schedule appointments for doctors, using search criteria including specialty and insurance accepted.  Patients can search for doctors throughout the US.  The site even identifies physicians that take Medicare and Medicaid.

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.

Resources for Medicare Appeals

General Appeals

• The federal Medicare Ombudsman offers advocacy services for consumers with complaints against Medicare.  For more information, see Medicare’s website.

Part A or B appeals

• 6 page Federal publication on making appeals against original Medicare Part A and B.

Part C (Medicare Advantage) appeals

• 7 page Federal publication on making appeals against Medicare Part C.

Part D (Prescription coverage) appeals

• 8 page Federal publication on making appeals against Medicare Part D.
• 2009 Medicare Rights Center professional publication on Part D appeals.

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

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

Medicare’s Dental Coverage & Low-Cost Dentists

Medicare does NOT cover routine dental care, but will cover some dental procedures associated with other covered medical care.  Learn what is covered at Medicare’s website.

Low-cost dental care may be available through the following:

• Local dental schools, where students provide care under the supervision of a licensed dentists.  Find dental schools at the American Dental Association website.
• Federally-funded Health Clinics provide medical care (some also provide dental care) on a pay-as-you-can basis.
• Some local dental hygienist schools provide low-cost dental hygiene provided by students.  Find a dental hygienist school at the American Dental Hygieniests’ Association website.

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 for certain individuals dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid.