Traveling Outside the US? If you are covered by Medicare and traveling abroad for an extended period of time, you need to know that Medicare does NOT typically cover medical care you get overseas. AND, if you do not maintain your Medicare coverage while traveling outside the US (ie: pay your Part B premiums), you will be subject to gaps and penalties upon your return. Contact Social Security or the Embassy of the country you reside in to fully understand how you may be impacted. If you have questions you would like answered by MEDICARE RIGHTS, watch PBS Newshour or call 800-333-4114 to speak to a trained counselor or go to www.medicareinteractive.org
Did You Know that recent polls show a majority of Americans support government negotiation of drug prices for people with Medicare? Furthermore, most Americans think prescription drug costs are unreasonable (72%) and an even larger % believe Americans pay more for the same drugs than other countries , such as Canada, Mexico and the European Union residents do. 86% are in favor of pharmaceutical companies being required to provide explanations on how drug prices are set. Overwhelmingly, Americans want the government to negotiate drug prices for Medicare recipients (84%). Currently there are two bills in Congress to help Medicare recipients. One, S. 1884/HR3261, would create one or more Medicare-administered prescription drug plans and also allow the HHS Secretary to negotiate Medicare prescription drug prices. The other, S.31/HR3061, would also allow the HHS Secretary to negotiate prescription drug prices on behalf of beneficiaries enrolled in Medicare Part D.
Did You Also Know that it is possible to have BOTH Medicare AND Medicaid? You may qualify for Medicaid coverage of a broad range of health services, including doctor visits, hospital care and medical equipment if you meet the financial requirements. Every state has different Medicaid programs with different eligibility limits and slightly different benefits. IF you have both, Medicare will pay first and Medicaid covers secondarily the remaining costs.
IF You Have Medicare Advantage or a stand alone Part D plan, you should receive and Annual Notice of Change (ANOC) or Evidence of Coverage (EOC) by the end of September. This will cover any changes in coverage planned for 2016 as well as changes to your plan's list of covered drugs, health benefits and/or premium costs. Plans are allowed to change cost and coverage rules annually. After reading it carefully to see how changes will affect you, you can make changes during Fall Open Enrollment (October 15-December 7).