Learning Center

Five Star Medicare Advantage Plans

Millions of Medicare recipients each year choose to enroll in a Medicare Advantage (MA) plan. Offered by private insurance companies approved by Medicare, Medicare Advantage plans are required to provide the same coverage as Original Medicare Parts A and B, but many offer additional benefits. Some MA plans provide invaluable…

Common Questions About Your New Medicare Card

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced that new Medicare cards would be delivered to all Medicare recipients between April 2018 and April 2019. A new identification card will be delivered to anyone who receives Medicare benefits. Many Medicare recipients have questions about this change. Let’s answer some…

Replacing Your Medicare Card

When you are eligible for Medicare, your red, white and blue Medicare ID card arrives in the mail.  What happens when it’s lost, stolen, or damaged? There’s no need to worry. Replacing your Medicare card is easy! Your Medicare card arrives three months before your 65th birthday or your 25th…

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Coverage of Durable Medical Equipment

Are you aware that your durable medical equipment (DME) may be covered under Medicare? Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance) covers medically necessary durable medical equipment that your doctor prescribes for use in your home. Therefore, Medicare covers items like oxygen equipment and supplies, wheelchairs, walkers, and hospital beds ordered by…

Countdown to Medicare’s Annual Election Period

It may seem early, but Medicare’s Annual Election Period (AEP) will be here before you know it. With a limited time to make changes to your current Medicare coverage, you want to be prepared. Medicare’s Annual Election Period starts on October 15 and ends December 7. Getting Ready for AEP…

Medicare: Who Pays First?
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Medicare: Who Pays First?

Who Pays First If I Have Other Health Coverage? If you have Medicare and other health coverage, each type of coverage is called a “payer.” When there’s more than one payer, “coordination of benefits” rules decide who pays first. The “primary payer” pays what it owes on your bills first, and then your provider sends the…

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Qualified Medicare Beneficiary Program

What is a Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB) Program? The QMB program is a state program that helps covers the cost of Medicare premiums, deductibles and coinsurance that Medicare beneficiaries usually pay. You may be eligible for the QMB program if you are entitled to Medicare Part A coverage, and have…

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Medicare, Medicaid, & VA Military Benefits Differences

There are three major government programs that offer healthcare benefits: Medicare, Medicaid, and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA, formerly the Veterans Administration). Eligibility is different for each program and will depend on things like income level, age, veteran status, and other requirements. In general, Medicare is a federal…

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How to Pay for Nursing Home Care

You may never need to move into any type of assisted living facility, but life can be unpredictable. Even though there are government programs that might be able to help you pay for some of the costs incurred by long term care, such as Medicare, Medicaid or VA benefits if…