For
caregivers: Dollars and sense about Medicare
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[September 21, 2011]
(ARA)
- Taking on the role of caregiver for an aging, disabled or
seriously ill loved one can be emotionally challenging - and
financially baffling. You want to ensure your loved one receives the
best medical care available, yet hold down expenses at the same
time. And if the person you care for has Medicare, you'll want to
make sure you know how to best use it to help with medical expenses.
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You can
start by learning the basics. Ask Medicare, a service created by
the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services at www.medicare.gov/caregivers
offers plenty of tips for the nation's 66 million caregivers.
The site features practical information such as enrolling in
Medicare, choosing a prescription drug plan, finding state and
local caregiving resources, how to get access to in-home
services, and more.
Ask Medicare offers a handy primer on Medicare benefits:
* Medicare Part A (hospital insurance) is for inpatient care in
hospitals, including room costs and meals. Skilled nursing
facilities, hospice and some home health care are also covered
under Part A.
* Medicare Part B (medical insurance) is for ambulance services,
doctor's services, outpatient care and some home health care.
Also covered are tests, shots and services to help maintain your
health, including pap tests, flu shots and various cancer
screenings.
* Medicare Part C (private Medicare Advantage HMO or PPO plans)
covers Part A, Part B, and other services. Some Part C Medicare
Advantage plans also cover prescription drugs.
* Medicare Part D (prescription drug coverage) helps pay for
brand-name and generic prescriptions.
Ask Medicare can also direct you to supplemental programs,
including:
* Medicare Savings Programs (MSPs) help pay Medicare expenses
and, in some cases, deductibles and coinsurance for those who
qualify and are available in all states. Go to www.medicare.gov/caregivers
and click on "Caregiver Topics," then "Support for Caregivers,"
and "Financial Help for Caregivers" to learn more.
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* State Health
Insurance Assistance Programs (SHIPs) offer free health insurance
counseling. To find the SHIP office in your area, visit www.cms.gov/ContactCMS
for useful phone numbers and websites .
* Other state and federal programs that can cover additional needs.
Many people qualify for support from Social Security, Medicaid, the
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, and in-home services
pharmacy programs. The National Council on the Aging's website helps
Americans determine their eligibility for a wide range of support
programs. Go to www.benefitscheckup.org.
"Signing your loved one up for the Medicare program that best fits
her needs is one of the best things you can do as a caregiver," says
Susie Butler, acting deputy director, Partner Relations Group,
Office of Public Engagement, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid
Services. "The Ask Medicare site has information specifically for
caregivers from Medicare billing questions to savings programs or
help paying out-of-pocket health care costs."
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