Medicare is proposing a new flat rate reimbursement system for doctors who treat Medicare patients. Some worry that the plan may cause fewer doctors to accept Medicare.

Congress expanded benefits for Medicare recipients with chronic conditions in its latest budget bill. The law gives some Medicare plans the option of covering certain non-medical benefits and also increases telehealth services.

The federal government has begun mailing new Medicare cards to 59 million Americans. You should keep track of when your new card will arrive and contact Medicare if you don't receive it.

If you have Medicare Parts A and B, you can join a Medicare Advantage plan. Under Medicare Advantage beneficiaries may choose from a number of private health plans.

Elderlaw 101

The Medicare prescription drug plan allows private health insurers to offer limited insurance coverage of prescription drugs to elderly and disabled Medicare recipients.

Elderlaw 101

Medicare Part A covers institutional care in hospitals and skilled nursing facilities, as well as certain care given by home health agencies and care provided in hospices.

Elderlaw 101

Medicare Part B basically covers "outpatient" care: office visits to medical specialists, ambulance transportation, diagnostic tests performed in a doctor's office or in a hospital on an outpatient basis, physician visits while the patient is in the hospital, and various...

Elderlaw 101

A low-income subsidy (called Extra Help) is available to help pay the premiums, deductibles, and co-payments of the Medicare prescription drug benefit.

Elderlaw 101

Medicare is not free; there are premiums and deductibles. If you don't qualify for Medicaid and can't afford a Medigap policy, you may be able to get help paying for the costs of Medicare.

Elderlaw 101