Does one on Medicare have to sign up for perscription coverage? Can they just pass on this coverage?
538280
You can pass on it, but like part B you have to wait for the next open period to sign up and it may cost more. If you are not taking any meds or have medicaid please call medicare and they will advise you. 1-800-772-1213. It takes awhile to get to a person, but they are help full, at least for me they have been.You can also check out the web page: www.ssa.gov
806137
Yes you can.  As long as you can show that you have had other insurance coverage, they will let you re-enroll within 6 months of leaving your job.  That will also put you in open enrollment so that no matter what health problems you have an insurance co must accept you with no underwriting.  I tell all my clients  that the longer you work for health insurance alone may be worth it if you like working.  See if your employer offers the insurance as a secondary to Medicare once you retire.  Then you get the same great coverage, and usually is cheaper than paying for a supplement
115964
I don't think it's a question of whether or not Medicare\nprefers them.  Instead, is the health care provider a "Medicare provider". Do they "Accept" Medicare. If they do, it means they file the claim to Medicare and they accept\npayment from Medicare. You are only responsible for the Deductible and 20% of the Medicare "allowable".  If the health care provider is NOT a Medicare provider, and does NOT "Accept" Medicare, then they will still file a claim to Medicare. HOWEVER, you are responsible for whatever Medicare does NOT pay. You end up having  to pay a lot more\nyourself. I would always ask a provider whether or not they are Medicare providers and whether or not they accept the Medicare payment. If they do....  great
459922
Generally speaking you can pick up individual coverage. Typically insurers will disallow coverage for pre-exisiting conditions UNLESS you have had coverage prior to applying for the new coverage.\n\nFind a health insurance broker near you to help. Policies are controlled by state law. I do not know what, if any, idiosyncracies exist in Cali.
994028
When you become eligible for Medicare, the two plans will coordinate benefits.  This means that one plan will pay first (primary) and the other will pay secondary.\n\nIf you are retired from the State, Medicare will be the primary payer.  You will need to tell your insurance company that you are picking up Medicare so they know to wait for Medicare to pay first.\n\nNote that having two insurance companies does not guarantee that you will never have to pay a portion of your care.  Watch your insurance company statements (EOBs) closely to determine if you have any liability.
268410
You are only able to get them with prescription, and usually the insurance will cover them. I have only pay the co-payment of my insurance, but for 30 of them, i beleive the price was about $140
487259
Many pre-existing conditions are covered from day one of the insurance. Rules depend on your state laws. In Florida if you disclose it and they do not rider it, it is covered. Some questions underwriting will ask are: Osteo or Rheumatoid? Prescription or OTC drugs? Physical therapy required? Hip, knee or back involved? surgery planned? Here in Florida Aetna does not use riders only markups in price. Aetna may be good for you if problem is a mild one.
940872
From the CDC:\n"While details are evolving, it is anticipated that zoster vaccine will not be covered under Medicare part B (which covers influenza and pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine as well as hepatitis B for moderate and high risk persons). The vaccine will instead be reimbursed through the Medicare Part D program.  Beneficiaries should contact their Part D plan for more information."\n\nCDC:http://www.cdc.gov/nip/vaccine/zoster/faqs-vacc-zoster.htm\n\nMedicare: http://www.medicare.gov/\n\n*Trust me I've had shingles.  Even if you have to pay out of pocket for it....you really HAVE to get this vaccine.  What shingles can and will do to you....you do NOT want to get it.  If you call your doctor's office, their staff will help you get this covered as much as possible.
979815
I don't know about that, but around here, they usually put a big ad in the paper. Be sure to include what insurance companies you accept, and what you specialize in. There are so few doctors here that accept new patients that the ad is usually enough.\nGood luck to you---I hope you are in it for caring & not money!!
963762
Medicare questions can be confusing! Getting the best supplemental coverage and/or a a Medicare Part D policy, for example, depends on several factors.  Supplemental plans and options available vary in each state.  \n\nAlso, the way Part D Medicare is structured is definitely not a "one size fits every senior" deal, too. Each individual--even husbands and wives--need to go through the process to determine what plan is going to meet their needs and will be the "best deal,"\n\nI highly recommend that you call your local Area Agency on Aging--these groups are one of the best kept secrets around for older Americans and their families who are seeking information on Medicare and other kinds of consumer questions. There is one where you live, since this is a national network--and they aren't selling anything! The staff there will visit with you and guide you to information you need to answer your questions. Since they talk with seniors every day--and answer lots of Medicare questions--they will know the "scoop" on the supplemental plans available where you live. They really are experts and answering these kinds of questions!\n\nYou can call toll-free 1-800-677-1116 to find how to contact the Area Agency on Aging serving you. You will most likely find the people there friendly and very helpful.\n\nIf you do contact your local Area Agency on Aging and like the help that they give you, let your local county officials and your folks in Congress know.  Area Agencies on Aging don't have big budgets--their funding comes from the Older Americans Act and this has not increased for a very long time! Your voluntary financial contribution of any amount--which is not required to get the help you need to answer this question--would certainly be appreciated.\n\nHope this helps! Good luck and best wishes
1096716
VA is prohibited from billing Medicare by US Code.  Having Medicare or Medicaid coverage will not impact your VA copay (if you have one).\nCommercial insurance can be billed and my offset the copay you pay for VA care (if you have one).
985224
Only some insurance cover the procedure, and they cover varying amounts. You want to check with your own. D is not that large, so they may not deem it madically necessary. I personally had one a few years ago and went from DDD to C, and even then it took a bit to get them to cover it.
40192
Don't know for sure, but usually medical and prescription drug plans are under the same insurer.  Often they will use another company to administer it.  That may be the case in your situation.
1164894
This link at medicare.gov will help you see what plans are available in your area.  Each will offer a different level of coverage and will have a different formulary (list of covered drugs).  \nhttp://www.medicare.gov/medicarereform/map.asp\n\nPlease note, Part D coverage is NOT a Medicare Supplement.  Medicare Supplements are plans that pay the portion of your health expenses not covered by Medicare (your coinsurance and deductible amounts).  Part D coverage is Medicare drug coverage.  Part D plans and Medicare Supplement plans may be offered by the same company (CIGNA, BCBS, etc.), but be sure you know what you are signing up for.  Many folks signed up for a Medicare Part C plan (Medicare HMO) unknowingly, which restricted the providers they could see.
207968
www.medicare.gov\n you do need to know the meds and dose amounts
294091
Learn what your policy will cover. Usually you have to have a letter from at LEAST one physician who states that it is absolutely necessary.
703767
Since you have medicare you can get what is referred to as Medagap Insurance. Make sure that you have signed up for part B through Medicare. Most insurance companies offer Medigap   sometimes called Medicare Supplement. You also need to evaluate if you should get the prescription coverage. Getting B coverage is a must the presciption coverage may not be but if you don't get it during the open enrollment period the rates go up if you get it latter.