- 2 page AARP consumer guide entitled, “Money Matters: Timing Your Retirement,” includes advice on when to draw from Social Security
- 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
Posted tagged ‘Medicare Part D’
Medicare Open Enrollment 2010 Guide
November 18, 2010From 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.
- Learn about Medicare Parts A and B here and here.
- Learn about Medicare Part D here and here.
- Learn about Medicare Part C (Advantage Plans) here and here.
- Learn about Medigap plans here.
- Learn about what health benefits are new to Medicare starting 2011.
Understanding Assistance for Low-Income Beneficiaries
- Learn about Medicare Savings Programs (QMB, SLMB, etc.).
- Learn about the Low Income Subsidy–extra help for Part D.
Understanding Open Enrollment
- 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.
- Learn how to use Medicare’s online comparison tool via this video.
- 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.
- Learn here how to change from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage plan.
- Learn here how to change from Medicare Advantage to Original Medicare.
- Learn here how to change from one Medicare Advantage plan to another.
- Learn here how to enroll in a Medicare Part D plan.
Medicare Counseling: These organizations provide free Medicare counseling to benefiaries and/or professionals.
- 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.
- Every state has at least one State Health Insurance Counseling Program (SHIP). To find state SHIPS, visit this website.
Online Health Insurance Screening Tool
July 14, 2010Resources for Medicare Appeals
June 25, 2010General 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.
Medicare’s Limited Income NET – Prescription assistance
January 25, 2010Learn 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.
Medicare Guides for Professionals
January 25, 2010The Health Assistance Partnership produces these three Medicare guides, written for State Health Insurance Assistance Program counselors.
Iona Information & Referral specialists are available Monday through Friday (9am to 5pm) at 202-895-9448 or info@Iona.org to help identify aging-related resources for you and your loved ones.
Medicare Part D appeals
December 16, 2009In 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
December 16, 2009Learn 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 learn about free senior health insurance counseling in your area.
Iona Senior Resource Digest 