Help me sort through the Medicare maze

• Article - Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance): A Beginner's Guide

  Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance): A Beginner's Guide. Who's eligible for Medicare Part A and what hospital care is covered by Medicare Part A?

• Article - Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance): A Beginner's Guide

  Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance): A Beginner's Guide. Medicare Part B covers doctor bills and outpatient costs. But what does it really cover?

• Article - Medicare Part C (Medicare Advantage Managed Care Plans): A Beginner's Guide

  Medicare Part C: A Beginner's Guide. What you need to know about Medicare Part C Advantage plans. Who's eligible? What's covered? How much does it cost?

• Article - Medicare Part D (Prescription Drug Plans): A Beginner's Guide

  Medicare Part D (Prescription Drug Plans): A Beginner's Guide. Who's eligible for Medicare Part D coverage and how much do Part D drug plans cost?

• Article - Medicare and Long-Term Care: What’s Covered, What’s Not

  Learn the basics about Medicare coverage for home care and nursing facilities. How much does Medicare pay for home care? What type of care is covered?

• Checklist - 8 Points to Consider When Choosing a Medicare Managed Care Plan

  Is a Medicare Managed Care Plan (Medicare Advantage) right for your parent? Learn the pros, cons, and costs of these health insurance plans.

• Article - Enrolling in Medicare Programs

  A concise guide to how and when to enroll in Medicare based on your parent's particular circumstances.

• Article - Saving Money on Prescription Drugs When Your Parent's Not Covered by a Medicare Part D Plan

  Information to help you save money on prescription drugs when your parent is in the doughnut hole or just not enrolled in Medicare Part D.

• Checklist - Choosing a Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Plan

  These eight questions will help you figure out which Medicare Part D prescription drug plan is right for your parent.

• Article - 8 Preventive Screenings Medicare Will Cover

  Medicare isn't very good at covering preventive medicine...

• Article - Medigap: A Beginner's Guide

  Medigap: A Beginner's Guide. What is medigap? What are the medigap insurance plans and what do they cover? Are my parents eligible for medigap?

• Article - Medicare: A Beginner's Guide

  Medicare: A Beginner's Guide. What is Medicare? Who's eligible for Medicare? What's covered by Medicare? How much does Medicare cost?

• Article - Medicaid: A Beginner's Guide

  Medicaid: A Beginner's Guide. What is Medicaid? Who qualifies for Medicaid? What does Medicaid cover?

• Article - How to Hire an At-Home Caregiver

  How to Hire a Caregiver. Hiring a home care aide or caregiver can help parents remain at home -- and take some pressure off the rest of the family.

• Checklist - 10 Things You Should Know About Your Parents' Finances

  Know the answers to these 10 elderly parent finance questions. Where do they keep their financial records? Do they have a durable power of attorney?

• Article - Choosing Hospice Under Medicare

  Medical treatment during a person's final months of...

• Article - Is My Parent Eligible for a Medigap Insurance Policy?

  A medigap insurance policy covers many medical costs...

• Article - Medicare Coverage for Mental Health and Alzheimer's Care

  Modern medicine recognizes that many mental and emotional...

• Checklist - 8 Things to Look for in a Nursing Home Agreement

  Nursing home agreements affect your parent's care in a nursing home. Here's what to look for in a nursing home agreement.

• Article - Hospice Care Basics

  Hospice care can make your parent's final days as comfortable as possible. What to expect from hospice care, how to pay for it, and where to find it.

• Article - How to Choose a Medigap Insurance Policy

  Everything you need to know to choose a Medigap insurance policy.

Blog Posts

• Blog Post - Aging Parents and Dental Care: A Life-and-Death Issue

  Quick: When was the last time your elderly loved one...

• Blog Post - Doctors Don't Seem to Care for Medicare

  Although the vast majority of doctors accept Medicare, many place limits on how many Medicare patients they'll take in their practice because the government reimburses them at a relatively low rate.

• Blog Post - In Case of Stroke, Better Call a Neurologist

  New research suggests that stroke patients treated by neurologists have better outcomes.

Questions & Answers

• Question - Will Medicaid or Medicare help pay for my mother's long-term care?

  Will Medicaid or Medicare help pay for my mother's long term care? Medicare will cover 100 days in a nursing home if certain qualifications are met.

• Question - How do I help my father decide which Medigap plan is right for him?

  This question has been answered by a Community Member

• Question - Why hasn't the age for signing up for Medicare changed to coincide with the eligibility date for drawing social security?

  This question has been answered by a Community Member

• Question - Should I take Medicare Part B even though I still work full-time and have health insurance from work?

  This question has been answered by a Community Member

• Question - Can Medicare bankrupt my parents?

  This question has been answered by a Community Member

• Question - Will medicare pay for oral surgery for patients with osteoporosis?

  Medicare can cover oral surgery on bones of the mouth or jaw if it's the kind of work performed by physicians as well as by nonj-M.D. oral surgeons.

• Question - Is there any financial help with the costs associated with assisted living facilities?

  This question has been answered by a Community Member

• Question - If I have a Medicare Advantage (Plan C) managed care plan, can I switch back to regular Medicare Parts A and B?

  This question has been answered by a Community Member

• Question - When does a new Medicare Part A "benefit period" begin?

  A new Medicare Part A "benefit period" starts if a second inpatient stay is the result of a different injury or illness from the previous one.

• Question - Will Medicare help pay for an assisted living facility?

  Medicare doesn't cover assisted living at all, but in some states Medicaid can pay the full cost of assisted living for an elder with little money.

• Question - How can I evaluate the insurance companies that offer Medigap plans?

  You can check on the reliability of a company selling a Medigap policy through Medicare and your state's insurance department.

• Question - How can you pay for care when your assets are too high for Medicaid?

  You can still qualify for Medicaid in many states if your assets are above the normal eligibillity limit but you have high medical bills.

• Question - Does Medicare cover lifting and transporting a parent to dialysis?

  Medicare won't pay for transportation except a medically necessary ambulance, but other local elder transport is available.

• Question - Is there a minimum amount below which Medicaid doesn't bother to check asset transfers?

  For nursing home coverage, Medicaid may look at how the applicant has spent any amount, or transferred property, over the previous five years.

• Question - Is there help for someone under age 65, who has serious illness and little money?

  For someone under 65 and disabled, government programs can help: Medicaid, Social Security, Supplemental Security Income (SSI).

• Question - Does Medicare cover adult day care for Alzheimer’s...

  This question has been answered by a Community Member

• Question - How can I get a repalcement Medicare card?

  You can replace a lost Medicare card either online or at a local Social Security office.

• Question - Do we need Medicare Part D?

  A Medicare Part D plan is a good idea for people with high out-of-pocket drug costs.

• Question - Will Medicare pay for carcinoma of the gums?

  Medicare covers treatment of the gums if it's the kind of care normally provided by a physician, not just by a dentist.

• Question - How much will Medicare cost me?

  Most people get Medicare Part A for free. Eveyone pays for Part B, the amount depending on your income.

• Question - Does someone have to be 50 years old to get Medicare if they are receiving Social Security Disability?

  You are eligible for Medicare at any age if you have received Social Security disability benefits for at least 24 months.

• Question - Do I Need Medicare Part D If I Have Blue Cross/Blue Shield from work?

  You may not need a Medicare Part D drug plan, and won't be penalized for not signing up, if you have employer-sponsored drug coverage.

• Question - Will Medicare pay for more than one MRI in a year in the same area?

  Medicare will pay for one or more MRIs, and other medical services, only if Medicare agrees with your doctor that it's "medically necessary."

• Question - Can you help explain Medicare Part D?

  Unanswered. Can you help?

• Question - Does medicare offer assistance for transportation equipment?

  Unanswered. Can you help?

• Question - Does Medicare cover children?

  Medicare does not cover medical care for children, but Medicaid and related programs do cover care for children in low-income families.

• Question - Does Medicare pay for glasses after cataract removal?

  Medicare Part B can pay for one pair of glasses or contacts following cataract surgery.

• Question - How do I get my husband signed up for Medicare Part D?

  Unanswered. Can you help?

• Question - How can I find a new doctor that accepts Medicare?

  Unanswered. Can you help?

• Question - I hear Medicare helps cover diabetic shoes. Is this true?

  Unanswered. Can you help?

• Question - Will my Medicare cover a deviated septum?

  Unanswered. Can you help?

• Question - How can I help my mom, who has chronic pulmonary disease, from across the country?

  This question has been answered by a Community Member

Tips & Reflections

• Tip - Get Medicare to Cover Your Parent's Physical Exam

  Except for an initial "wellness" exam when your parent...

• Tip - Save Your Parent 15 Percent on Medical Bills

  Whenever your parent is about to see a doctor or other...

• Tip - Remind Your Mom That Medicare Pays for a Regular Mammogram and Pelvic Exam

  Over the past decade, Medicare has been improving its...

• Tip - Fall Drug-Coverage Checkup

  About 55 percent of people with Medicare have signed...

• Tip - Beware of Hospital Outpatient Bills Under Medicare

  Under Medicare, hospitals can charge much more than doctors or labs. Taking some basic steps can help you avoid paying too much.

• Tip - Medicare Can Cover Nursing Facility Recovery

  Medicare Part A can cover your parent's stay in a skilled nursing facility during recovery from an illness or injury. Here's how it works.

• Tip - Make Sure Your Parents Sign Up for Medicare at Age 65

  Even if your parents have private healthcare insurance...

• Tip - Save Your Parent Money on Physical Therapy

  Medicare Part B covers physical therapy if a doctor...

• Tip - Medicare Managed Care Plan Coverage When Traveling

  Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B provide the same...

• Tip - Medicare Covers Some Obesity Treatment

  Medicare now covers some obesity treatment. Read this tip to find out what treatments are included.

• Tip - Medicare Coverage for Your Parent With Diabetes

  Find out what diabetes services and supplies are covered under Medicare.

• Tip - Look to the Web for Hidden Health Benefits

  Even if your parents are already signed up for Medicare...