Consumer Guide to Health Care
Medicare
Medigap | Medicare Advantage |
Prescription drugs | More help
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for your information and for the benefit of the general public. The
Department of Health Services does not testify to, sponsor,
or endorse the accuracy of the information provided on externally
linked pages.
Medicare
Medicare is the main insurance for people 65 and older and also
provides coverage for some people with disabilities. It is the nation's
largest health insurance program - covering 39 million Americans. The
federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), which runs the
program, provides lots of information on its
Medicare Web site.
Check there often because several changes are underway for Medicare. Here is additional
information about the program.
Medigap: Supplemental insurance if you have Medicare
Known as Medigap, supplemental insurance policies cover expenses not paid
for by Medicare. It is important to shop around for a Medigap policy. Under
Wisconsin law all Medigap policies provide certain basic benefits, but
many plans offer various optional benefits as well. In addition, premiums can vary by many
hundreds of dollars even for plans that offer the same basic benefits.
Medicare Advantage: Medicare managed care plans
In some parts of Wisconsin, people covered by Medicare can receive
their benefits through a managed care plan.
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Medicare Advantage Plans in Wisconsin: This brochure, from OCI, explains options
under a Medicare Advantage managed care plan (formerly called
Medicare+Choice).
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Medicare Options Compare on the Medicare Web site provides information on plans available in your
area. You can also call Wisconsin's State Health Insurance Counseling
Program at 1-800-242-1060.
Medicare and prescription drug coverage
In the past, Medicare has not paid for prescription drugs. Starting
November 15, 2005, people with Medicare can enroll in plans that cover
some prescription drug costs.
The U.S. Centers for Medicare and
Medicaid Services provides the following resources to help you choose
a Part D plan:
Before deciding to apply for the new Medicare drug benefit, you should
consider whether SeniorCare would be a better choice for you.
SeniorCare
is a prescription drug assistance program for Wisconsin residents who are 65
years of age or older and who meet the eligibility criteria.
More help and information
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Talking About
Medicare and Health Coverage, from the Kaiser Family Foundation,
provides information on Medicare, prescription drug coverage, the
Medicare Advantage program, supplemental insurance, and long-term care.
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BenefitsCheckUp,
a service of
The National Council on Aging, can help you find public programs
that may pay for some health-care-related costs.
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Wisconsin Physicians Service is the state carrier
for
Medicare Part B, which helps pay for doctors' services, outpatient hospital
care, and some other health care such as the services of physical and
occupational therapists, and some home health care.
Last Revised: June 19, 2009
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