medicare - financial
Summary of Medicare benefits, rights and protections, and answers to the most frequently asked questions about Medicare. (PDF, 136 pages)
If you're curious about how much care costs, this reference provides national and state averages.
This site offers details on Medicare coverage, plan options, and downloadable forms for claims and appeals.
Are you wondering if a medical expense is covered by Medicare? Use their calculator on medicare.gov to find out.
Here's Where To Begin
It helps to first understand your parent's medical coverage. And so:
- If your parent is 65 or over, then Medicare is probably the primary insurance provider.
- The Medicare website - Medicare.gov - outlines coverage by state. Medicare also has a great booklet called, Medicare & You (PDF), which outlines all the basic coverage information.
- If your parent is under 65, then find out if there is insurance coverage. If so, who is the carrier? Once you've located the policy, you'll be able to discern what's covered and what's not.
- Is there a secondary policy? If so, what does it cover? Find the policy to determine:
- Does it cover only the Medicare co-payments? This type of policy is referred to as a Medigap policy.
- Does it continue to provide coverage after Medicare has been depleted? If so, for how long?
- Is there long-term care insurance? Long-term insurance varies widely. Read the policy carefully to determine when the plan begins, and how much the plan covers.
Here’s an idea from the FDA: When the doctor is writing out a prescription, ask to have the name spelled out, and write it down, along with the dosage directions, right there in the doctor’s office. Take these notes with you to the pharmacy to prevent any mistakes that might possibly result from the pharmacist’s not being able to decipher the doctor’s handwriting.
"Top Ten Things to Know If You're Interested in a Reverse Mortgage" by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
"How Will the Law Affect Medicare Advantage?" by The New York Times
"How Will the Law Affect Medicare Advantage?" by The New York Times