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?

• 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 - 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 - 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 - 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 - 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.

• 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 - 8 Preventive Screenings Medicare Will Cover

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

• Article - Enrolling in Medicare Programs

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

• 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 - Medicaid: A Beginner's Guide

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

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

  Modern medicine recognizes that many mental and emotional...

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

  A medigap insurance policy covers many medical costs...

• 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 - 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.

• Article - Choosing Hospice Under Medicare

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

• 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.

• 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 - How to Choose a Medigap Insurance Policy

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

Blog Posts

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

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

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

  Regular dental care for your parents can be a matter of life and death.

Questions & Answers

• Question - Do I have to have Medicare?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - Where can I find the rule regarding Medicare and COBRA coverage?

  Medicare is the primary payer of covered medical bills when an employee or spouse also has COBRA coverage.

• Question - Can Medicaid take a house to pay for nursing home care?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - If I move my mother in with me will it affect her Medicare/Medicaid status?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - Can Medicare refer you to a psychiatrist who accepts Medicare?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• 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 - Does Medicare B pay at a higher rate for the required ambulance transport of a morbidly obese bariatric patient?

  Unanswered. Can you help?

• Question - Will Medicare cover hospitalization if my mother had only been discharged for one day?

  Medicare Part A covers inpatient costs for up to 150 days in any one benefit period.

• Question - Can I get medicare to pay for both a scooter and a wheelchair?

  Medicare can pay to rent or buy a power wheelchair or power scooter, if medically necessary, but not both at the same time.

• Question - Will my Medicare cover a deviated septum?

  Medicare can cover treatment of a deviated septum if the treatment is "medically necessary."

• 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 - If I were to buy my mother's property, how would that affect her Medicaid eligibility?

  Unanswered. Can you help?

• 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 - What is meant by "medically neccessary" or under what circumstances will Medicare pay for long-term care?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - Can my parents access a nursing home without a hospital stay?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• 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 Caring.com Expert

• Question - How can I get Medicare to pay for my wife's glasses?

  Will Medicare pay for glasses after eye surgery? When a lens is implanted during cataract surgery, Medicare Part B pays for basic glasses.

• Question - Does Medicare help cover shoes for diabetics?

  If a diabetic needs special shoes, will Medicare pay? Medicare will pay for therapeutic shoes for someone with diabetes if the doctor prescribes them.

• Question - Does Medicare offer assistance for transportation equipment?

  Medicare Part B can pay most of the cost of wheelchairs and walkers.

• Question - Does Medicare renew the hospital stay limit after sixty days?

  Unanswered. Can you help?

• Question - How much will Medicare cost me?

  How much will Medicare cost? Medicare part A probably won't cost you anything, whereas the cost of part B will be based on your income.

• Question - Will Medicare help my client pay my salary and secondary insurance help pay for his care?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - Can my mother continue to see her current physical therapist if she isn't Medicare certified?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - If someone cannot pay their Medicare premium can they get an extension or will the plan be terminated?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert and a Community Member

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

  The Medicare web site has an interactive tool that can tell you what doctors, listed by their medical specialty, in your area participate in Medicare.

• Question - Can you help explain Medicare Part D?

  For a small monthly premium, a Medicare Part D plan can help pay prescription drug costs for someone on Medicare through long-term disability.

• Question - If I buy my mother's home, and she later needs to enter a...

  Unanswered. Can you help?

• 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 - Does medicare cover Chiropractic care and services?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - Does an inheritance affect my Medicare (due to disability) eligibility?

  Will my inheritance affect my Medicare benefits from disability? Medicare benefits aren't affected by an inheritance, except possibly Part B benefits.

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

  Medicare Part D drug coverage is very inexpensive for people eligible for Medicaid and in nursing homes.

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

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - My mom recently passed away -- will I be responsible for the medical bills that were not covered by Medicare?

  Unanswered. Can you help?

• Question - Where do I go to find eligibility rules for Medicare home care?

  Where can I learn about Medicare home care eligibility? Medicare eligibility for home health care is complex -- first order a booklet from Medicare.

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

  Does Medicare pay for glasses after someone has cataract surgery? Yes, in most cases Medicare will pay for one pair of glasses after cataract surgery.

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

  Will Medicare pay for more than one MRI in one year? It's best to make sure your doctor gets approval from Medicare for the second MRI beforehand.

• Question - Does an inheritance affect Medicare eligibility?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• 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 - Will my grandmother lose Medicare benefits if she is checked out of a rehab center without a doctor's approval?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

• Question - Does Medicare pay for cataract surgery and implants?

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

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

  This question has been answered by a Caring.com Expert

Tips & Reflections

• Tip - Save Your Parent 15 Percent on Medical Bills

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

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

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

• Tip - Fall Drug-Coverage Checkup

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

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

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

• 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 - Medicare Covers Some Obesity Treatment

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

• Tip - Save Your Parent Money on Physical Therapy

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

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

  Even if your parents have private healthcare insurance...

• Tip - Medicare Managed Care Plan Coverage When Traveling

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

• 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...