FOR MEDICARE BENEFICIARIES
Step One
Understand your health insurance plan
- Contact a medicare representative: you may visit the medicare website at www.mymedicare.gov or call 800-MEDICARE (800-633-4227) to request information about the cost you may have to pay for a specific medical service. You may be responsible for deductibles and payments for prescription medications, medical devices, and supplies.
- State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP): SHIP is a free health benefits counseling service, where Medicare beneficiaries and their families can reach to request information about services and prices covered by their plan. The SHIP contact information is available at www.seniorsresourceguide.com/directories/National/SHIP.
- Contact your healthcare provider: you should call your doctor or contact the financial services department of your healthcare provider to request information about your out-of-pocket cost for many common services and procedures.
- Understand Medigap plan: Medigap policies can help pay your coinsurance, copayment, or deductible of the costs of Medicare covered services. If you have a Medigap policy, understanding your plan is the best source of healthcare costs information.
- Understand Advantage plan: beneficiaries that have coverage through Medicare Advantage, should contact their insurance company to request information about healthcare costs.
For more information: