Medicare Information

Medicare Open Enrollment endsDecember 7, 2011.

First Steps:

If you are not enrolled in Medicare or have not received your card, call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) for help. When the prompt asks for your Medicare number, say “agent”.
If you are enrolled and have questions, have your Medicare number ready when you call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). If you do not have your card, say “agent” or give your social security number when the prompt asks for your Medicare number.

Resources:

General Open Enrollment Information:https://www.medicare.gov/open-enrollment/index.html - get general open enrollment information and answers to frequently asked questions

Personalized Comparison of Costs and Coverage: www.medicare.gov/find-a-plan - get personalized comparison of costs and coverage of the plans available in our area. Spanish Open Enrollment information is available.

Around-the-Clock Assistance:1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) – get around-the-clock assistance to find out more about coverage options. TTY users should call 1-877-486-2048. Multilingual counseling is available.

2012 Medicare & You Handbook:https://www.medicare.gov/publications/pubs/pdf/10050.pdf - It has also been mailed to the homes of people with Medicare. The Medicare & You 2012 handbook in Spanish is online at: https://www.medicare.gov/Publications/Pubs/pdf/10050-S.pdf.

One-on-One Counseling Assistance:https://shiptalk.org/public/home.aspx?ReturnUrl=%2f - get one-on-one counseling assistance from the local State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP).

Local SHIP Contact Information:https://www.medicare.gov/contacts/organization-search-criteria.aspx - This information can also be found on the back of the 2011 Medicare & You handbook or by calling 1-800-MEDICARE.

Qualify for Extra Help:www.socialsecurity.gov/prescriptionhelp - call to find out how people with Medicare who have limited incomes and resources may qualify for Extra Help paying for their prescription drug costs. There is no cost to apply for Extra Help, also called the low-income subsidy. Medicare beneficiaries, family members, trusted counselors or caregivers can apply online or call 1-800-772-1213 (TTY users should call 1-800-325-0778) to find out more.