I have very limited income and was told that I need to sign up for Medicare in order to have my health care services covered. Are there any programs that can help me?
Marci's Medicare Answers
**Dear Marci, I didn’t sign up for Medicare Part B on time because I was worried that I wouldn’t be able to pay the monthly Part B premium. I have very limited income and was told that I need to sign up for Medicare in order to have my health ... Read more ...
Posted by Medicare | midnight, 11/1/2012
I have COBRA coverage through my former employer and I will be eligible for Medicare soon. Should I sign up for Medicare if am covered by COBRA?
Marci's Medicare Answers
**Dear Marci, I have COBRA coverage through my former employer and I will be eligible for Medicare soon. Should I sign up for Medicare if am covered by COBRA? —Kat** Dear Kat, Yes, you should sign up for Medicare as soon as you become eligible, because you are not entitled ... Read more ...
Posted by Medicare | midnight, 11/1/2012
I have diabetes and I am about to become eligible for Medicare. Does Medicare cover diabetic supplies?
Marci's Medicare Answers
**Dear Marci, I have diabetes and I am about to become eligible for Medicare. Does Medicare cover diabetic supplies? —Allison** Dear Allison, Yes, Medicare covers certain diabetic supplies, such as glucose monitors and control solutions, lancets and test strips. Medicare covers these supplies in limited quantities, even if you don’t ... Read more ...
Posted by Medicare | midnight, 11/1/2012
Are there any programs that can help me pay for Medicare Part B?
Marci's Medicare Answers
**Dear Marci,** **I recently signed up for Medicare and my Part B premium is being taken out of my Social Security check each month. I cannot afford to pay my premiums. Are there any programs that can help me pay for Medicare Part B? —Darrell** Dear Darrell, Yes, you might ... Read more ...
Posted by Medicare | 12:11 p.m., 10/10/2012
I am thinking about changing my drug coverage during the Fall Open Enrollment Period. What are some things I need to know before making any changes to my drug coverage?
Marci's Medicare Answers
**Dear Marci, I am thinking about changing my drug coverage during the Fall Open Enrollment Period. What are some things I need to know before making any changes to my drug coverage? —Constance** Dear Constance, You can make changes to your health or drug coverage during Fall Open Enrollment, which ... Read more ...
Posted by Medicare | 12:09 p.m., 10/10/2012
I just signed up for Original Medicare and I need to get physical therapy. Does Medicare cover outpatient physical therapy?
Marci's Medicare Answers
**Dear Marci,** **I just signed up for Original Medicare and I need to get physical therapy. Does Medicare cover outpatient physical therapy? — Nick** Dear Nick, Yes, Medicare will help pay for outpatient physical therapy as long as the following requirements are met: • The service is medically necessary; • ... Read more ...
Posted by Medicare | 12:05 p.m., 10/10/2012
I went to pick up my medications at the pharmacy the other day, but I couldn’t afford the expensive copayments. I was told I have Extra Help, but my pharmacist is telling me I owe a lot of money for my medications. What can I do to get my drugs?
Marci's Medicare Answers
**Dear Marci, I went to pick up my medications at the pharmacy the other day, but I couldn’t afford the expensive copayments. I was told I have Extra Help, but my pharmacist is telling me I owe a lot of money for my medications. What can I do to get ... Read more ...
Posted by Medicare | 6 a.m., 8/1/2012
I was told by my doctor that I might be considered a hospital outpatient, as opposed to a hospital inpatient. What’s the difference, and what does this have to do with Medicare?
Marci's Medicare Answers
**Dear Marci, I was told by my doctor that I might be considered a hospital outpatient, as opposed to a hospital inpatient. What’s the difference, and what does this have to do with Medicare? —Norman** Dear Norman, Generally, an outpatient hospital service is any type of medical care you receive ... Read more ...
Posted by Medicare | 6 a.m., 8/1/2012
My doctor told me that I need to get the shingles vaccine and that my Medicare Part D plan should cover it. If that’s true, what will I pay for it?
Marci's Medicare Answers
**Dear Marci, My doctor told me that I need to get the shingles vaccine and that my Medicare Part D plan should cover it. If that’s true, what will I pay for it? —Walter** Dear Walter, If you have a Medicare Part D plan, it must cover your shingles shot. ... Read more ...
Posted by Medicare | 6 a.m., 8/1/2012
I am about to be discharged from a hospital, but I feel I am not well enough to leave. Can I appeal the hospital’s decision to discharge me?
Marci's Medicare Answers
**Dear Marci, I am about to be discharged from a hospital, but I feel I am not well enough to leave. Can I appeal the hospital’s decision to discharge me? - Elaine** Dear Elaine, If you feel that you are being asked to leave the hospital (discharged) before you are ... Read more ...
Posted by Medicare | 4:43 p.m., 7/1/2012
I have Original Medicare. Will Medicare cover my hepatitis B vaccine? —Iris Dear Iris, Part B of Original Medicare will cover your hepatitis B shots if you are at medium to high risk for hepatitis B. As long as you see doctors or provider
Marci's Medicare Answers
**Dear Marci, I have Original Medicare. Will Medicare cover my hepatitis B vaccine? —Iris** Dear Iris, Part B of Original Medicare will cover your hepatitis B shots if you are at medium to high risk for hepatitis B. As long as you see doctors or providers who accept assignment, the ... Read more ...
Posted by Medicare | 4:40 p.m., 7/1/2012
My income is a bit higher than the limit to qualify for a Medicare Savings Program. Should I still apply?
Marci's Medicare Answers
**Dear Marci, My income is a bit higher than the limit to qualify for a Medicare Savings Program. Should I still apply? —Amber** Dear Amber, Yes. If your income is above the income and/or asset guidelines, you should still apply. You may still qualify for a Medicare Savings Program (MSP) ... Read more ...
Posted by Medicare | 6 a.m., 7/1/2012
I am about to turn 65 but I do not wish to enroll in a Part D plan at this time. Will I face a penalty if I delay enrollment?
Marci's Medicare Answers
**Dear Marci, I am about to turn 65 but I do not wish to enroll in a Part D plan at this time. Will I face a penalty if I delay enrollment? —Alfred** Dear Alfred, If you do not enroll in the Medicare prescription drug benefit (Part D) when you ... Read more ...
Posted by Medicare | 6 a.m., 6/1/2012
I have Medicaid and someone said I should consider enrolling in a Special Needs Plan. Could you please tell me more about these plans?
Marci's Medicare Answers
**Dear Marci, I have Medicaid and someone said I should consider enrolling in a Special Needs Plan. Could you please tell me more about these plans? —Eugenie** Dear Eugenie, A Special Needs Plan (SNP) is a Medicare Advantage plan (a Medicare private health plan) that exclusively serves at least one ... Read more ...
Posted by Medicare | 6 a.m., 6/1/2012
My Extra Help application was denied. I am struggling to afford my drugs. What should I do?
Marci's Medicare Answers
**Dear Marci, My Extra Help application was denied. I am struggling to afford my drugs. What should I do? —Nigel** Dear Nigel, If your Extra Help application is going to be denied, you will receive a Pre-Decisional Notice telling you this in advance. This notice will tell you that you ... Read more ...
Posted by Medicare | 6 a.m., 6/1/2012
Am I eligible for Medicare coverage of annual glaucoma screenings?
Marci's Medicare Answers
**Dear Marci, Am I eligible for Medicare coverage of annual glaucoma screenings? —Gertrude** Dear Gertrude, Medicare Part B covers annual glaucoma screenings at 80 percent for individuals who are at high risk. You or your supplemental insurer is responsible for the remaining 20 percent. People are considered at high risk ... Read more ...
Posted by Medicare | 6 a.m., 4/1/2012
I have Extra Help, and I heard I can change drug plans at any time. Is that true?
Marci's Medicare Answers
**Dear Marci, I have Extra Help, and I heard I can change drug plans at any time. Is that true? —Bart** Dear Bart, Yes. If you receive Extra Help, the federal program that helps pay for Medicare prescription drug costs, you get a Special Enrollment Period (SEP) that allows you ... Read more ...
Posted by Medicare | 6 a.m., 4/1/2012
My doctor says I need home health care. Will Medicare cover this?
Marci's Medicare Answers
**Dear Marci, My doctor says I need home health care. Will Medicare cover this? —Ralph** Dear Ralph, Medicare will help pay for your home care if all four of the following are true: 1. You are homebound, meaning it takes a considerable and taxing effort to leave your home; and ... Read more ...
Posted by Medicare | 6 a.m., 4/1/2012
I missed my initial enrollment period, and I need to sign up for Medicare Part B right away. Is there a time of the year when anyone can enroll in Medicare Part B, even if they missed their initial enrollment period?
Marci's Medicare Answers
**Dear Marci, I missed my initial enrollment period, and I need to sign up for Medicare Part B right away. Is there a time of the year when anyone can enroll in Medicare Part B, even if they missed their initial enrollment period? —Lavender** Dear Lavender, Yes, there is. If ... Read more ...
Posted by Medicare | 2:38 p.m., 2/14/2012
My doctor told me I am eligible to get colon cancer screenings for free. Is this true?
Marci's Medicare Answers
**Dear Marci, My doctor told me I am eligible to get colon cancer screenings for free. Is this true? —Liam** Dear Liam, Yes, your doctor is correct. Medicare covers most colon cancer screenings at 100 percent (except barium enemas, which are covered at 80 percent) for people with Medicare aged ... Read more ...
Posted by Medicare | 2:36 p.m., 2/14/2012
