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Medicare

Medicare health and drug plans can make changes each year – including cost, coverage, and what providers and pharmacies are in their networks. You can change your Medicare health plan and/or Medicare drug coverage during the annual open enrollment (OEP) later this year. In the meantime, click here for up-to-date Medicare information.

Before the Medicare OEP, you’ll get notices in the mail about changes to your coverage for the coming year. You should always review the materials you get from your plan, like the “Evidence of Coverage” (EOC) and “Annual Notice of Change (ANOC). If your plan is changing, make sure it will still meet your needs for the next year. If you’re satisfied with your plan, you don’t need to do anything.

For a helpful Medicare guide, please click here.

MEDICARE FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

I lost my Medicare card. How do I get a new one?

If you lose your card, contact your local Social Security Administration office at 1-800-Medicare or visit the Medicare website immediately to get a new one.

Please protect your Medicare card just as you would a credit card. Your Medicare card in the wrong hands can be used to submit fraudulent claims.

I recently moved to another state. How do I update my address with Medicare?

To protect you and to ensure a timely receipt of your benefits, please alert the Social Security Administration office of your address change. The number for the Social Security Administration is 1-800-772-1213.

Does Medicare Part B pay for prescription drugs?

Currently, Medicare does not include a prescription drug benefit.

If coverage guidelines are met, Medicare allows payment for some immunosuppressive, oral, anti-emetic and nebulizer drugs. The Benefits Improvement and Protection Act of 2000 requires Medicare suppliers to accept assignment on Medicare-covered drugs.

Although I am able to walk, I have a difficult time walking long distances. Would Medicare allow payment for a wheelchair or Power Operated Vehicle (POV)?

Medicare wheelchair and POV coverage guidelines indicate that in order to allow payment for a wheelchair, a person with Medicare must be bed or chair-confined without the use of a wheelchair.

To be eligible, all of the following criteria must be met:

You require a wheelchair to maneuver in your home;
You cannot operate a manual wheelchair;
You can safely operate the controls of a POV;
You can transfer safely to and from a POV and have adequate trunk stability to safely ride in a POV.

You will need a prescription from your physician prior to purchasing the POV, and the physician and supplier must complete a Certificate of Medical Necessity (CMN).

For further information on your Medicare plan, please see the most up-to-date version of the Medicare & You 2024 Handbook you may also download or call 1-800-Medicare to request a copy be mailed to you.

If you would like my help with a Medicare issue, please print out my Privacy Release Form and fax or mail it to my office with a brief summary and any supporting documentation. If you have any questions, feel free to call my District Office at (480) 946-2411.