MED I C AR E

Basics

A GUIDE FOR CAREGIVERS

F O R FAMILIE S AND FRIENDS OF OLDER ADULTS
QUICK FINDER

www.medicare.gov

MED IC AR E

As your parents, grandparents, relatives or friends face health care

decisions, they might need to rely on you for help. Medicare can be an

important factor in many of those health care decisions. But at this point,

you may not be familiar with Medicare basics or other senior services. This

booklet is for you.

Medicare Basics highlights eight “decision points” related to the health or

overall well-being of an older person. For each of these decision points,

you’ll find basic information about Medicare and suggestions on finding more

detailed information. Words you see in bold are defined in the glossary.

Although Medicare Basics is directed to issues for the elderly, younger

people with disabilities who have Medicare might face similar needs and

issues. This publication might also be helpful in identifying services for them.

Basics

Decision Points Page

Learning the basics. 4

Planning for a healthy future. 6

Seeking second opinions. Chronic illness. 8

Paying for outpatient prescription drugs. 10

Help with hospitalization and other billing questions. 12

Home health care and community services. 14

Nursing homes and housing options. 16

Considering hospice care. 18

Next steps 20

Glossary of terms 21

www.medicare.gov is the official U.S. Government website for

people with Medicare. It is an easy-to-use, comprehensive

resource. Check out:

Medicare Personal Plan Finder—Helps you compare Medicare

options including Medicare Health Plans, Original Medicare

and Medigap (Medicare Supplement Insurance) in your area.

Helpful Contacts—Organizations you can call toll-free or 

reach by e-mail for health care information and information to

help make health care decisions for family and friends.

Nursing Home Compare—Locate Medicare and/or Medicaid

certified nursing facilities in your area and compare several

quality ratings.

Publications—Free Medicare publications to view, order, or

download. (The “Medicare & You” handbook CMS Pub. No.

10050 offers a good general reference.)

Prescription Drug Assistance Programs—Points you to

programs that offer discounts or free outpatient prescription

drugs to people who need them.

You can get information and help with your Medicare

questions 24-hours a day by calling 1-800-MEDICARE 

(1-800-633-4227). TTY users should call 1-877-486-2048.

A Guide for Caregivers

Medicare Basics explains the Medicare program. It is not a legal document. 

The official Medicare program provisions are contained in the relevant laws,

regulations, and rulings.

The support given by the U.S. Small Business Administration to this activity does not constitute an express or implied endorsement of any cosponsor’s or participant’s opinions, products, or services. SBA Authorization No. 02-7630-56
5

MEDICARE OPTIONS

Today’s Medicare is about choice. Medicare offers

different ways to get Medicare benefits, as well as

giving the tools needed to make the best choice.

Medicare has two parts: Part A (Hospital Insurance) and

Part B (Medical Insurance). Most people do not pay

for Part A. However, Part B requires a monthly

premium. Some people have only Part A or Part B,

but most people have both. Medicare doesn’t pay for

outpatient prescription drugs. 

The Original Medicare Plan is a pay-per-visit health

plan that lets people with Medicare go to any doctor,

hospital, or other health care provider who accepts

Medicare. Medicare pays its share of an approved

amount and the cardholder pays the rest. 

Medicare + Choice Plans such as Medicare Managed

Care Plans (for example HMOs) and Medicare Private

Fee-for-Service Plans are available in many areas of

the country. If your parents join one, they will get

their Medicare-covered benefits through the plan.

They may get extra benefits, like coverage for

outpatient prescription drugs or additional days in 

the hospital. 

MORE OPTIONS: Medigap policies are Medicare

supplement insurance sold by private insurance

companies to fill “gaps” in Original Medicare Plan

coverage, such as out-of-pocket costs for Medicare

coinsurance and deductibles, or for services not

covered by Medicare. These policies can reduce outof-pocket costs if those costs exceed the monthly

Medigap premiums. There may be several different

Medigap plan options available in your state.

Select Publications: “Medicare & You” and

“Guide to Health Insurance for People with

Medicare: Choosing a Medigap Policy.” 

Select Medicare Personal Plan Finder. 

Learn about Medicare health plan choices 

in your area.

Select Participating Physician Directory.

Locate Medicare-participating physicians in

your area.

Select Helpful Contacts: State Health

Insurance Assistance Programs (SHIP).

Learn about additional insurance available in

your state.

www.aoa.gov

The U.S. Administration on Aging site offers a

wide variety of information for seniors and

caregivers, including the Eldercare Locator. 

www.eldercare.gov

Use the AoA Eldercare Locator to learn about

private insurance, community programs,

Medicaid, and your closest Area Agency on

Aging (AAA) program. Or call 1-800-677-1116.

www.nahu.org

National Association of Health Underwriters.

Medigap policies are usually purchased

through an agent. Select “Find an Agent” to

locate an agent near you. 

MEDICARE PART A 

(usually no premium)

helps pay for inpatient

hospital care, skilled

nursing facility care 

following a hospital stay,

hospice care, and some

home health care. 

Medicare Part B 

(premium) helps pay 

for doctors’ services, 

outpatient hospital care,

and some other medical

services when they are

medically necessary.

“How are my retired 

parents paying for

their health care?

What sort of coverage

do they have?”

Learning 

the basics.

BASIC INFORMATION

Medicare is the federal health insurance program

for people age 65 or older. It also covers certain

younger people with disabilities and people with

End-Stage Renal Disease.

GETTING MEDICARE: If your parents are 65 or over and

are already getting Social Security benefits, they will

be enrolled automatically in Medicare. A Medicare

card will be mailed to each of your parents about 

3 months before their 65th birthday. The card will

show whether they have Part A coverage (Hospital

Insurance) and Part B (Medical Insurance). Most

people do not have to pay a monthly premium for

Medicare Part A when they turn 65 because they 

or a spouse paid Medicare taxes while they were

working. Most people do pay a premium for Part B. 

If your parents are not getting Social Security benefits

when they turn 65 (for example, if they are still

working) they will have to sign up for Medicare.

Call the SSA to find out more.

Your state has programs that pay some or all of 

the Medicare premiums for people with limited

incomes. Call your state’s Medical Assistance Office

to learn about Medicare Savings Programs or look at

www.medicare.gov and select publications. 

DID YOU KNOW? Medicaid is not the same as Medicare.

Medicaid is a joint federal and state program that

helps with medical costs for some people with low

incomes and limited resources. Coverage varies

from state to state. A person may have both Medicaid

and Medicare (this is referred to as dual eligible).

START HERE

It will be necessary to learn what kind of

coverage your parents have. The information on

the Medicare card is private. Your parents can

check on their own coverage by calling the

Social Security Administration (SSA) helpline or

their local Social Security Office. To contact the

SSA, see Find Out More, below. 

To check on their behalf, ask them to join you

on the call. Otherwise, they can authorize the

Medicare information to be released to you. 

To do so, they’ll need to complete an

“Appointment of Representative” form (Form

CMS 1696-U4). A similar form allows you to

access information about benefits from both the

SSA and Medicare. This form is SSA 1696-U4.

To request these forms, see Find Out More, below.

TAKE NOTE: In addition to Medicare coverage, your

parents may have a Medigap policy, a health plan

with a former employer, or other insurance that

can also help pay for health care needs.

CENTERS FOR MEDICARE 

& MEDICAID SERVICES 

www.medicare.gov.This site has a full range

of Medicare information.

Select Medicare Eligibility, Enrollment and

Premiums. Learn about Medicare coverage

and eligibility criteria.

To verify Medicare coverage: call the Social

Security Administration (SSA) at 1-800-772-

1213. Or, go to www.ssa.gov. 

To get a Medicare CMS 1696 form, the

“Appointment of Representative” form: 

call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). Or

download from www.medicare.gov. 

To get a SSA 1696-U4 form: call the SSA at 

1-800-772-1213. Or, download from

www.ssa.gov. 

To find out about Medicare Savings

Programs: call your state Medical Assistance

Office. You can get the number from your

local telephone directory or call 

1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). 

FIND OUT MORE

Medicare

Helps Pay

Medicare

Doesn't Pay Snapshot of Coverage Under Original Medicare

Some Diabetes Services/Supplies

Therapeutic shoes for people with diabetes, 

 if specific conditions are met

Long-term Care

GET DETAILS

Look for detailed benefit information 

about Medicare at www.medicare.gov. 

Or call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227)

(TTY 1-877-486-2048), 24-hours a day, 

seven days a week.

4

Not covered by Part A or Part B: outpatient prescription

drugs (except in very limited circumstances), long-term

custodial care in a nursing home.

The Original Medicare Plan typically covers 80 percent of the allowable cost. Additional conditions will apply.
6 7

I N F O RMATION TO GATHER

• Social Security number

• Medicare Claim Number and Medicare 

plan enrollment

• Other insurance plans and policy numbers,

including long-term care insurance

• Contact information for health care

professionals: doctors; specialists; 

nurses; pharmacists

• Current list of prescription medications 

and their dosages

• Current health conditions,

treatments, and symptoms

• History of past health problems

• Any allergies or food restrictions

• Emergency contacts, close friends, neighbors,

clergy, housing manager

• Where to find financial and legal information

? COMMUNITY OPTIONS

If you see yourself taking a greater role in

caring for your older relatives, now may be a

good time to gather information about

community services. Take time to assess your

older relative’s needs for care—and your own

needs as a caregiver. Consider getting help 

to manage your older relative’s meals,

transportation, social activities, and services 

to assist with other daily needs.

TAKE NOTE: There are many reliable organizations

that can help you that are devoted to both

health care and older people. See Find Out

More below.

You can get help by calling your Area Agency

on Aging, or the U.S. Administration on Aging.

Also check with your county’s Department of

Social Services. It is listed with county

government offices in your local phone

directory. And, your local library can usually

help identify senior centers and other senior

services available in the area.

www.healthfinder.gov 

Search caregiving. Find a series of website

resources, including government agencies,

nonprofits, and universities, that address a

variety of eldercare topics from the U.S.

Department of Health and Human Services,

Office of Disease Prevention and Health

Promotion.

www.aoa.gov

Select Family Caregivers. See “Because We

Care—A Guide for People Who Care” from the

U.S. Administration on Aging.

www.benefitscheckup.org 

A service from the National Council on Aging

for eligibility information about federal and

state programs including Social Security,

Medicaid, food stamps, in-home services,

pharmacy programs, and state programs. 

Planning for a

healthy future.

“My grandparents are

having more and more

health problems and

Granddad seems really

frail. How can I help

them before things 

get worse?”

BASIC INFORMATION

At this point, you may be asking “what’s a

SHIP?” It’s your State Health Insurance

Assistance Program (SHIP). And, it is your 

one-stop resource for specific questions about

Medicare-related issues. You can find the

telephone number for the SHIP in your state by

going to www.medicare.gov under “Helpful

Contacts.”

You can meet with a local representative or talk

to a Medicare expert on the phone for personal

assistance. A SHIP gives free health insurance

counseling and guidance to people with Medicare—

or to family and friends, like you, who have

authorization to help an older relative with

Medicare questions. (See page 4 for information

about Appointment of Representative forms).

The counselors at your SHIP office can answer

general questions about hospitalization,

Medicare choices, and local programs that can

offer additional help. They can also help you

learn more about living wills and Power of

Attorney procedures. When you have a

Medicare concern that needs to be discussed,

your SHIP is a good place to start for solutions.

See the inside back cover of this booklet to find

the SHIP phone number for your state.

Find SHIP: See the inside back cover of this

booklet to find the SHIP phone number for

your state; to find the most current number

go to www.medicare.gov, select “Helpful

Contacts.”

Local eldercare info: Call 1-800-442-2803 

to find out how to contact your Area Agency

on Aging.

www.medicare.gov 

Select Publications: “Medicare & You” lists

preventive care covered by Medicare. Select

“Guide to Health Insurance for People with

Medicare: Choosing a Medigap Policy” (CMS

Pub. No. 02110) for information about

Medigap policies. You can also call 1-800-

MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) for this

information.

www.aarp.org 

Search caregiving. See “Care Giving,

Changing Needs,” a planning guide for

caregivers. The AARP site serves the needs

of people age 50 and older by providing

information, education, advocacy, and

community. Or call 1-800-424-3410.

www.caregiving.org

National Alliance for Caregiving

Select Reports and Products: “Caring Today,

Planning for Tomorrow,” a publication with

advice and contacts for those caring for an

older relative or friend from the National

Alliance for Caregiving.

START HERE

Finding that the people you’ve always relied on

may now need your help can be hard. Begin to

assess the situation by talking with them and

other family members about their health care

needs, as well as permission to act on their behalf. 

Help them focus on preventive care: healthy

lifestyles, such as regular activity, eating a

variety of foods, and maintaining social

connections are important to health in later life.

Also, remind them to protect their health by

using Medicare’s preventive care services.

PLAN NOW: While it is important to be sensitive to

privacy, asking them to share some personal

information about doctors, medications, and

medical histories will help you better plan for

their health care needs.

Talk to your older relatives about what they

want and don’t want you to do. Some people

decide to authorize a family member or trusted

friend to make the decisions about their medical

care. This is done through a Power of Attorney

or a durable Power of Attorney for health care.

Contact your State Health Insurance Assistance

Program (SHIP) for more information.

Also, discuss a living will (a health care advance

directive) with your relatives. Living wills give

directions about the kind of health care they

want—and who may speak for them—if they

cannot speak for themselves. Again, your SHIP

can assist you.

FIND OUT MORE

Snapshot of Preventive Tests and Services 

That Medicare Helps Pay For

Clinical Breast Exam

Colorectal Cancer

Diabetes Services and supplies

Bone Mass Measurement

Glaucoma Screening

Prostate Cancer

Mammogram

Pelvic Exam, including Pap Test

Glaucoma, once every 12 months

Hepatitis B, if at risk

Flu

Pneumococcal Pneumonia

Medicare

Helps Pay

Medicare

Doesn't Pay

The Original Medicare Plan typically covers 80 percent of the allowable cost. Additional conditions will apply.
8 9

FIND OUT MORE

www.alzheimers.org

The Alzheimer’s Disease Education and

Referral Center’s website from the National

Institute on Aging.

www.cancernet.nci.nih.gov

Credible, current comprehensive cancer

information from the National Cancer

Institute.

www.diabetes.org

Research and information from the American

Diabetes Association.

www.ninds.nih.gov

Overview of Parkinson’s disease from the

National Institute of Neurological Disorders

and Stroke.

www.nia.nih.gov

Health information and resources regarding

Alzheimer’s disease from the National

Institute on Aging.

COPING WITH ILLNESS

Helping your mother or relative cope with a

serious health condition, especially over a long

period of time, can be physically and emotionally

draining.

If you are a caregiver, there are a few things you

can do. Find someone with whom you can talk

about your feelings—all of them are legitimate,

even those that upset you. It is also important

to set realistic goals. Balancing work, family,

and time for yourself is difficult. Determine

your priorities and turn to other people for help

with some tasks. Carve out time for yourself,

even if it is just an hour or two.

There should be resources in your community

that can help. Check the newspaper or local

library to locate a caregiver support group in

your area. Sharing experiences with others can

help you manage the stress, locate resources,

and reduce feelings of isolation.

Talk to a professional who is trained to provide

counseling on caregiving issues. Help may also

be available through your employee assistance

program.

If available, take advantage of respite care.

Respite care is a service that provides temporary

care for an older person. Respite care may mean

help with a specific task or having health care

providers care for your relative at home or in an

extended care facility while you take time off.

Medicare does not usually pay for respite care,

but other help may be available.

“My mother has been

diagnosed with a

serious condition and

she is really concerned

about the future. Can

she seek a second

opinion?”

Seeking second

opinions. Chronic

illness.

BASIC INFORMATION

When a person’s doctor recommends surgery or

a major medical test, encourage the patient to

get a second opinion—even a third opinion.

Getting a third opinion is beneficial when the

first and second opinions are different. Seeing 

a third health care provider can provide

information that helps patients decide on the

best course of action for their health.

Medicare covers second and third opinions for

non-emergency surgery. Medicare pays for 80

percent of the approved amount for second and

third opinions as necessary. The Original Medicare

Plan also helps pay for certain medical tests that

may be required to get additional doctors’ opinions. 

Examples of a non-emergency surgery are a gall

bladder procedure, hysterectomy, hernia repair,

or cataract operation. Check the Medicare

resources under Find Out More (see below) to

get more information about second opinions,

surgery, and specific medical tests.

SEEKING ANOTHER OPINION: Medicare managed care

plans may require the primary care doctor to

give a written referral to another doctor for a

second or third opinion. 

TAKE NOTE: Always ask if a doctor or supplier

accepts “assignment.” 

Assignment is an agreement between Medicare,

doctors, health care providers, and suppliers to

accept the Medicare-approved amount as

payment in full.

Quick coverage check: Call 1-800-MEDICARE

(1-800-633-4227) for quick information

about what Medicare does and does not

cover or check with your SHIP.

Learn about second opinions: 

Call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). 

Find Medicare participating physicians in

your area: Call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-

4227) or visit www.medicare.gov and select

Participating Physician Directory.

Learn about assignment: Call 1-800-MEDICARE

(1-800-633-4227) and ask for a free copy of

“Does Your Doctor or Supplier Accept

Assignment?” (CMS Pub. No. 10134).

Learn about caregiver resources: Visit 

the website of the National Alliance for

Caregiving at www.caregiver.org.

www.medicare.gov

Select Publications: “Getting a Second

Opinion Before Surgery.”

OTHER RESOURCES OF INTEREST:

www.alz.org

Find caregiver information and resources

from the Alzheimer’s Association. Or call 

1-800-272-3900 for around the clock support.

START HERE

Facing a chronic health condition or surgery

will raise questions and increase concerns for

your mother or any other older person. Having

your support is important. Talk with your

mother about her condition and treatment and

encourage her to recall exactly what her doctor

said during visits. Going over the facts may

relieve some concerns and give her a more

realistic picture of the situation. And, having

you to talk to will be comforting—and helpful

as she makes health care decisions for her

future. 

Assure your mother that everyone with

Medicare has the right to know what their

choices are, discuss the choices with another

doctor, and have their wishes considered.

STEPS TO SECOND OPINIONS

Non-emergency surgery has been recommended — and you want a second opinion.

Ask your primary care physician to refer you

to another doctor for a second opinion or

check the Participating Physician Directory

at www.medicare.gov.

See the new doctor for a second opinion.

If the second opinion agrees with the first

opinion, you can make an informed decision

about surgery.

If the second opinion disagrees with the first

opinion, you may seek a third opinion from a

different doctor.

Ask your primary care physician to refer you

to a different doctor for a third opinion.

See the new doctor for a third opinion.

Compare all three medical opinions to make

an informed decision about surgery. 
FIND OUT MORE

COVERAGE OPTIONS

Ask your elderly neighbor what type of

Medicare plan he has and whether he has a

Medigap policy or other supplemental insurance.

If you would like to compare his existing

Medicare prescription drug coverage against

alternatives, visit www.medicare.gov and select

“Medicare Health Plan Compare.” This tool

will help you to evaluate prescription drug

needs relative to plan costs, other benefits,

doctor choice, and convenience. 

Your State Health Insurance Assistance Program

(SHIP) office can also help you evaluate and

compare plans. You can find the SHIP’s number

at www.medicare.gov, select “Helpful

Contacts.” While on the web or phone, you can

compare the various plans and coverage

available in your area by going to the Medicare

Personal Plan Finder. Or call 1-800-MEDICARE

(1-800-633-4227).

“My neighbor Al’s

medical conditions

require him to be on a

number of medications.

Where can he get help

to pay for his outpatient

prescription drugs?”

Paying for

outpatient

prescription

drugs.

BASIC INFORMATION

Although the Original Medicare health plan

does not provide prescription drug coverage,

there might be other Medicare options in your

area that will. Remember, the Original Medicare

Plan is the basic pay-per-visit health plan that

allows the patient to go to any doctor, hospital,

or other health care provider who accepts

Medicare. 

Medicare + Choice plans include alternatives

such as Medicare Managed Care plans or

Private Fee-for-Service plans. Many of these

plans cover prescriptions.

Some Medigap policies also offer prescription

drug coverage. Medigap policies are Medicare

supplement insurance sold by private insurance

companies to fill “gaps” in Original Medicare

Plan coverage. Medigap policies work only with

the Original Medicare Plan. You cannot purchase

a Medigap policy if you are in a Medicare +

Choice Plan.

Prescription drug programs near you: Call

your state Department of Aging. You can get

their number from the Eldercare Locator. Call

1-800-677-1116 or visit www.eldercare.gov.

Easy research: go to www.medicare.gov and

select Prescription Drug Assistance

Programs for information on prescription

drug programs, Medigap policies, or Medicare

managed care plans with drug benefits. You

can also call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-

4227).

www.aarp.org

Select Health and Wellness for information

on a variety of topics, including prescription

programs, and health issues.

www.eldercare.gov

General information and prescription

programs that may be available in your

community or state. Or call 1-800-677-1116

and ask for a free copy of Pharmaceutical

Programs for Seniors from the U.S.

Administration on Aging.

START HERE

The Original Medicare Plan does not pay for

outpatient prescription drugs. However, your

state may offer discount programs or free

medications programs that can help your

neighbor get the medicines he needs. Check on

what type of programs are available by calling

your state Department of Aging or your local

Area Agency on Aging. 

Also check the Prescription Drug Assistance

Programs Database at www.medicare.gov or call

1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). It is a

very good resource—providing information on

prescription drug benefits offered through

Medicare + Choice plans and Medigap policies.

The database also lists a wide variety of

programs that may help in your neighbor’s

situation. 

You’ll find contacts for state prescription drug

assistance programs. And you’ll learn about

programs sponsored by pharmaceutical

companies designed to help people who use

their medications to be able to afford them.

There are also disease-specific programs that

help make medications available to patients. 

10 11

(Plans H, I, J)

www.fda.gov/cder/drug/default.htm

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration site

provides information about new prescription

drug approvals, drug safety & side effects,

public health alerts & warning letters,

reports & publications, and special projects

& programs. 

www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/

druginformation.html

The National Library of Medicine site

includes a guide to more than 9,000

prescription and over-the-counter

medications provided by the United States

Pharmacopeia (USP) in the USP DI® and

Advice for the Patient®. 

www.phrma.org/pap/ 

The Pharmaceutical Research and

Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) site

contains a searchable directory of

prescription drug assistance programs that

are available from PhRMA members. 

www.rxassist.org

The Volunteers in Health Care: RxAssist site

contains helpful information about a national

program, RxAssist, which is sponsored by

the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.
Medicare

Helps Pay

Medicare

Doesn't Pay

Snapshot of Original Medicare Coverage for 

Inpatient Hospital Stays (Medicare Part A)

12 13

FIND OUT MORE

STATEMENT & BILLS

After a service is provided, before receiving a

bill, people with the Original Medicare Plan get

a Medicare Summary Notice (MSN). This is

true for both Part A and Part B services. A MSN

is not a bill. The MSN shows the amount that

will be owed to the provider after Medicare has

paid its part. It is best to receive the MSN before

paying the provider. Notices and bills for

Medicare + Choice plans and Medigap policies

will look different than the MSN shown here. 

Your aunt has certain guaranteed rights to help

protect her. One of these is the right to a fair,

efficient, and timely process for appealing

decisions about health care payment or services.

No matter how she gets her Medicare health

care, she always has the right to appeal. Some

of the reasons she may appeal are when:

> She doesn’t agree with the amount that is paid.

> A service or item isn’t covered and she thinks

it should be covered.

> A service or item is stopped before she thinks

it should be.

The instructions for filing an appeal are either

on the notice that explains what Medicare pays

or in your aunt’s health plan materials, depending

on how she gets her Medicare health care. If she

decides to file an appeal, ask her doctor or

provider for any information that may help her

case. You can also call her State Health Insurance

Assistance Program (SHIP) for help filing an

appeal. SHIP numbers are on the inside back

cover of this publication.

For more information about your appeal rights,

get a free copy of Your Medicare Rights and

Protections (CMS Pub. No. 10112). Look at

www.medicare.gov on the web and select

“Publications,” or call 1-800-MEDICARE 

(1-800-633-4227).

Note: Notices for Medicare + Choice and Medigap

policies will look different. 

“Aunt Alice asked for

my help. She is in the

hospital, and I’m trying

to figure out her bills.”

Help with

hospitalization

and other billing

questions.

BASIC INFORMATION

Knowing about deductibles, coinsurance, and

copayments also can help you understand

Medicare billing: 

> The deductible is the amount that a person

must pay for health care before Medicare Part

A or Part B begins to pay. These amounts can

change every year. 

> Coinsurance is the percentage (usually 20

percent) of the Medicare-approved amount

that the person has to pay after paying the

deductible for Part A and Part B.

> A copayment is a set amount the person pays

for each medical service, like a doctor visit.

Medicare + Choice plans might also require a

copayment.

TAKE NOTE: When a person with Medicare is

covered by more than one health insurance

plan, the other insurance may pay the health

care bills first. Such other insurance could

include an employer’s group health plan, nofault insurance, any liability insurance, black

lung benefits, veterans benefits, and workers’

compensation. Make sure doctors and hospitals

are aware of the other insurance so they will

handle bills correctly.

Who pays first? Call the Coordination of

Benefits Contractor at 1-800-999-1118 if you

have other insurance and want to know who

pays health care bills first.

www.medicare.gov

Select Publications: “Outpatient Prospective

Payment System” (CMS Pub. No. 02118) and

“Medicare and Other Health Benefits: Your

Guide to Who Pays First” (CMS Pub. No.

02179). You can also request these

publications by calling 1-800-MEDICARE 

(1-800-633-4227).

OTHER RESOURCES OF INTEREST:

www.healthfinder.gov

Information from many federal agencies,

states, professional associations, nonprofit

organizations, and universities.

www.ncoa.org

Identify programs to improve older adults’

quality of life from National Council on the

Aging.

www.seniors.gov

The federal website for seniors with a locator

to find services near where you live or work.

START HERE

Medicare covers most inpatient hospital costs

for a stay of less than 60 days. 

> To answer a billing question about Medicare

Part A, you will need to call the Fiscal

Intermediary in your state.

> To answer a billing question about Medicare

Part B, you will need to call the Medicare

Carrier.

TAKE NOTE: The names and contact information

are on the bills. You will need your aunt’s

Medicare Number to get information on specific

bills and provider payments. 

To answer a question about a Medicare + Choice

or Medigap policy, you will need to call the

benefits coordinator at the company or health

plan that offers the plan. To locate phone

numbers, you can also call 1-800-MEDICARE

(1-800-633-4227) or go to www.medicare.gov. 

Each state has a Fiscal Intermediary and

Medicare Carrier for the Original Medicare Plan. 

The Fiscal Intermediary pays Part A claims and

can help you with questions about Part A bills

and services, hospital care, skilled nursing care,

and fraud and abuse. When you call, you may

be referred to another company that handles claims. 

The Medicare Carrier pays Part B claims and is

your contact for information about Part B

coverage, bills, and medical services, as well as

fraud and abuse.

Certain conditions will apply.
14 15

FIND OUT MORE

C ARE OPTIONS

Even if the person you are caring for is receiving

care not covered under the Original Medicare

Plan, there are options for ongoing care.

Some Medicare + Choice plans or Medigap

policies may help with short-term care needs.

The State Health Insurance Assistance Program

(SHIP) can help you determine choices and

coverage. (See the inside back cover.)

There are times when a person’s needs extend

beyond the intermittent skilled care provided

through Medicare. Community-based services

across the country support independent living

and are designed to promote the health, wellbeing and independence of older adults. These

services can also supplement the supportive

activities of caregivers.

Often, community-based senior citizens’ services

offer companionship visits, help around the

house, meal programs, caregiver respite, adult

day care services, transportation, and more.

These support services may be funded by state

and county programs or offered by church or

volunteer groups.

Home Health Aide (part-time or intermittent)

Snapshot of Original Medicare Coverage for 

Qualified Home Health Care Patients

Medicare

Helps Pay

Medicare

Doesn't Pay

Skilled Nursing Care (part-time or intermittent)

QUE STIONS TO A SK A HOME HE ALTH AGENC Y

• Is your agency Medicare approved?

• How long have you served the community?

• Does this agency provide the services my

relative or friend needs?

• How are emergencies handled?

• Is the staff on duty around 

the clock?

• How much do services and supplies cost?

• Will you be in regular contact with the doctor?

?

“Henry is doing better

after his illness, but he

may need some

ongoing help. How do 

I find him the services

he needs?”

Home health 

care and

community

services.

BASIC INFORMATION

Home health care under the Original Medicare

Plan is short-term skilled care at home after

hospitalization or for the treatment of an illness

or injury. 

Home health agencies provide home care

services, including skilled nursing care, physical

therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy,

medical social work, and care by home health

aides.

Medicare Home Health Care benefits are

available to patients if they meet four

conditions: 

> their doctor must decide that they need

medical care in their home and must make a

plan for that care; 

> they must need intermittent skilled nursing

care, physical therapy, speech language

pathology services, or occupational therapy; 

> they must be homebound; and

> the home health agency caring for them must

be approved by the Medicare program.

If approved, Medicare will pay for skilled

nursing and other services, according to a plan

of care established by your doctor, from a

Medicare certified home health agency in the

community. Skilled nursing care is a level of

care that must be given by registered nurses.

www.medicare.gov

Select Publications: “Medicare and Home

Health Care” (CMS Pub. No. 10969). This

booklet provides complete information on

Home Health Care benefits. 

www.aarp.org

Search: “Providing for Parents at Home” for a

caregivers’ guide to community services and

providing for the health care needs so older

people can stay in their homes. 

www.mowaa.org

The Meals on Wheels website can help

search for a meal service program in your

community. 

www.caremanager.org

Locate a geriatric care manager who can

oversee care for your older relative or friend,

from National Association of Professional

Geriatric Care.

START HERE

The right kind of support can go a long way to

help people continue to lead independent,

productive lives at home.

Start by checking with your friend or relative’s

doctor about what services are needed and who

provides them. To find out if a patient is eligible

for Medicare’s Home Health Care services, call

the Regional Home Health Intermediary

(RHHI). A RHHI is a private company that

contracts with Medicare to pay bills and check

on the quality of home health care. To contact a

RHHI, call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-

4227) or go to www.medicare.gov and select

“Helpful Contacts.” 

FIND A MEDICARE APPROVED

H OME HE ALTH AGENC Y 

• Ask the doctor or hospital 

discharge planner

• Use a senior community referral

service or agency

• Look in your telephone directory in the

Yellow Pages under “home care” or

“home health care” 

Certain conditions will apply.

www.first.gov

Click Benefits and Grants: Information on

benefits such as Social Security, Medicare,

pensions, and food assistance.

www.nahc.org

Information on home care needs, provider

qualifications, locating home care agencies,

and paying for home health care from the

National Association for Home Care.

www.eldercare.gov

Identify your Area Agency on Aging and local

resources, including long term care, adult

care centers, home health agencies, and

senior centers. Or call the Eldercare Locator

at 1-800-677-6111. Your AoA is part of a

nationwide system that responds to the

needs of seniors and their caregivers. 
16 17

FIND OUT MORE

There are several categories of care available in

most communities—ranging from daytime

activities to full-time care. 

ADULT DAY CARE: Daily structured activities and

health-related and rehabilitation services for the

elderly who need a protective environment.

Care is provided during the day and the

individual returns home for the evening.

ASSISTED LIVING FACILITIES: Residential homes

offering a range of services that usually include

activities of daily living, supervision, and

medication management.

CONTINUING CARE RETIREMENT COMMUNITIES (CCRC):

A housing community that provides different

levels of care based on resident’s needs.

CUSTODIAL CARE: Assistance with daily activities

such as bathing, eating, and dressing.

RESIDENTIAL CARE FACILITIES: Settings designed for

independent living while offering meals, social

and recreational activities, and other support. 

SKILLED NURSING FACILITIES: Facilities with 24-hour

supervision and medical and rehabilitative

services for patients requiring a high level of

care.

www.eldercare.gov

Information on selecting nursing homes in

your area.

www.naic.org

Request the free publication, “A Shopper’s

Guide to Long-Term Care Insurance” from 

the National Association of Insurance

Commissioners.

Long-term care insurance: A private insurance policy purchased from an

insurance company. The benefits and costs of these plans vary widely. For

more information, contact the National Association of Insurance

Commissioners (NAIC) at 816-783-8500. See “Find Out More”. 

CONSIDER THIS WHEN CHOOSING A NURSING HOME

• Is the facility Medicare or Medicaid certified?

• Does the nursing home have the level of care

needed (e.g., skilled, custodial) and a bed

available? 

• Does the nursing home have special services 

if needed in a separate unit (e.g., dementia,

ventilator, or rehabilitation) and is a bed

available?

• Are residents clean, well groomed, and

appropriately dressed for the season or time 

of day?

• Is the nursing home free from strong

unpleasant odors?

• Does the nursing home appear 

to be clean and well kept?

• Does the home conduct staff 

background checks?

• Does the staff interact warmly and

respectfully with home residents?

• Does the home meet cultural, religious, or

language needs?

• Are the home and the current administrator

licensed?

You will want to make surprise visits at different

times of the day to verify conditions.

For a complete nursing home checklist, visit

www.medicare.gov and select “Nursing Homes”

then select “Nursing Home Checklist.” 

?

“Mom needs

professional care

around the clock. Will

her insurance pay for

a nursing facility? And

how do I find a good

nursing facility?”

Nursing homes

and housing

options.

BASIC INFORMATION

Under limited conditions, Medicare will pay

some nursing home costs such as when a patient

needs skilled nursing or rehabilitation services

after a hospital stay. For more information, call

your local area State Health Insurance

Assistance Program (SHIP) or Nursing Home

Ombudsman (see www.aoa.gov).

NURSING HOMES AND MEDICAID: Medicaid is a state

and federal program that will pay most nursing

home costs for people with limited income and

assets. Eligibility varies by state. Medicaid will

pay only for nursing home care provided in a

Medicaid certified facility. For information

about Medicaid eligibility, call your State

Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) or

State Medical Assistance office (call 1-800-

MEDICARE [1-800-633-4227] for the number

in your area).

TAKE NOTE: Medicare pays for short-term skilled

nursing care if ordered by a physician. Medicare

does not pay long-term custodial care in a

nursing home. Generally, custodial care is paid

by personal savings, long-term care insurance,

or Medicaid. 

www.medicare.gov

Select Nursing Home Compare. Get

information about facilities across the nation.

Select Helpful Contacts. Search by State for

your Nursing Home State Survey Agency for

information and guidance in selecting a

living facility.

Select Publications: “Your Guide to Choosing a

Nursing Home” (CMS Pub. No. 02174),

“Medicare Coverage of Skilled Nursing Facility

Care” (CMS Pub. No. 10153), and “Choosing a

Nursing Home” (CMS Pub. No. 02223).

www.aahsa.org

Find nonprofit residences, evaluate them,

and choose a facility or provider at the

website of the American Association of

Homes and Services for the Aging.

www.ahca.org

Information about senior housing facilities,

nursing homes, CCRCs, and assisted living

facilities from the American Health Care

Association.

START HERE

Serious and chronic illness may create a need

for full time care outside the home. It is a

decision you and the person you are caring for

should discuss with the doctor—as well as other

family members. 

Start your search for nursing home care with

Nursing Home Compare at www.medicare.gov.

It is an interactive tool with many helpful links

that can help you gather information about

Medicare and Medicaid certified nursing

facilities and long-term care options in your

state. It also lets you compare the quality of

nursing homes in your area.

If long-term care is needed, you may want to

consider in-home services from a home health

agency in your community. Look under Home

Care or Home Health Services in your phone

directory. Be aware that some community

programs offer help with free meals, visits or

transportation.

C ARE OPTIONS

MEDICARE’S NURSING HOME QUALITY INITIATIVE

CMS has also implemented a national quality initiative to help people compare nursing home quality

of care. CMS is reporting a new set of quality measures and publishes the results. These quality

measures are an additional source of information to help you choose a nursing home. A checklist is

available to assist you. For this checklist or more information, call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-

4227) or visit www.medicare.gov and select “Nursing Home Compare.”

The state conducts inspections of each participating nursing home on average about once a year. The

state also investigates complaints about nursing home care to make sure the homes meet the

minimum Medicare and Medicaid quality and performance standards. CMS also works with quality

improvement organizations in each state to help nursing homes improve the quality of care they give

residents. 
18 19

FIND OUT MORE

• Does the hospice provider train family

caregivers to care for the patient at home?

• How will the patient’s doctor work with the

doctor in the hospice program?

• How many other patients are assigned to the

hospice care staff?

• Does the hospice staff meet regularly with the

patient and family to discuss care?

• How does the hospice staff respond

to after-hour emergencies?

• What measures are in place to ensure

hospice care quality?

• What services do hospice volunteers offer? Are

they trained?

• Is the hospice program certified and licensed

by the state or federal government?

? H OSPICE CARE

Medicare

Helps Pay

Medicare

Doesn't Pay

Dietary Counseling

Symptom Control (except copayments up to $5)

Pain Relief (except copayments up to $5)

Snapshot of Original Medicare Coverage for Hospice Care

Short-Term Hospital Care Including Respite Care

Most hospice patients receive hospice care in

the comfort of their home and with their

families. Depending on the patient’s condition,

hospice care also may be given in a Medicareapproved hospice facility, hospital, or nursing

home. Hospice volunteers are available to do

household chores, provide companionship, and

offer support to the patient and family. 

Medicare pays for inpatient respite care (shortterm care for hospice patients) so that the usual

caregiver can rest.

“The doctors have said

there’s really nothing

more they can do for

Uncle Jerry. Should we

consider hospice

care?”

Considering 

hospice care.

BASIC INFORMATION

Medicare’s hospice benefit provides for support

and comfort to terminally ill patients—including

services not usually paid for by Medicare. To be

eligible for hospice care, the patient must have

Medicare Part A and:

> The doctor and hospice medical director must

certify that the patient is terminally ill and has

probably six months or less to live.

> The patient must sign a statement choosing

hospice care instead of routine Medicare

covered benefits for their terminal illness.

> The patient must receive care from a

Medicare-approved hospice program.

Be aware that Medicare hospice benefits do not

include treatment to cure terminal illness. If the

patient’s health improves or illness goes into

remission, he or she always has the right to stop

getting hospice care and go back to the regular

Medicare health plan. A hospice patient will

continue to have Medicare benefits to help pay

for treatment of conditions unrelated to the

terminal illness.

To find a hospice program, call 1-800-

MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) or your State

Hospice Organization in the blue pages of your

telephone book. Medicare requires care to be

provided by the hospice agency and hospice

team you choose.

www.medicare.gov

Select Publications: “Medicare Hospice

Benefits” (CMS Pub. No. 02154). Select

Helpful Contacts. Search by State for your

State Hospice Organization and Regional

Home Health Intermediary.

www.nhpco.org

Information on hospice programs across the

United States from the National Hospice and

Palliative Care Organization.

www.hospiceinfo.org

Free booklets: “Hospice Care & The Medicare

Hospice Benefit” and “Hospice Care: A

Consumer’s Guide to Selecting a Hospice

Program” from the National Hospice

Foundation.

www.hospice-america.org

Information from the organization that

represents hospices, caregivers, and

volunteers serving terminally ill patients and

their families, the Hospice Association of

America.

START HERE

Hospice care is a special way of caring for

people who are terminally ill—and helping their

families cope. The goal of hospice is to provide

end-of-life care, not to cure the illness. This care

includes medical social services, care by the

patient’s doctor, nurses, counselors, social

workers’ visits, and other types of services. 

Call your Regional Home Health Intermediary

(RHHI) for more information about Medicare

hospice benefits. A RHHI is a private company

that contracts with Medicare to pay bills and

check on the quality of hospice and home health

care. Your State Hospice Organization can also

help you locate hospice care. 

To get local phone numbers for your RHHI 

or State Hospice Organization, call 1-800-

MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227).

CONSIDER THIS WHEN SELECTING HOSPICE CARE PROVIDERS

Certain conditions will apply.
Ad

vance Directives

A written document stating how you

want medical decisions to be made if

you lose the ability to make them for

yourself. It may include a Living Will

and a Durable Power of Attorney for

health care.

Custodial Care

Nonskilled, personal care, such as

help with activities of daily living 

like bathing, dressing, eating, getting

in and out of a bed or chair, moving

around, and using the bathroom.

Medicare does not pay for custodial care.

Durable Power of Attorney

A legal document that enables you to

designate another person, called the

attorney-in-fact, to act on your behalf,

in the event you become disabled or

incapacitated. Fiscal Intermediary

A private company that has a contract

with Medicare to pay Part A and some

Part B bills. They can answer your

questions about Part A bills, services,

hospital care, skilled nursing care, and

fraud and abuse.

Health Maintenance 

Organizations (HMO)

A type of Medicare managed care plan

where a group of doctors, hospitals,

and other health care providers agree

to give health care to Medicare

beneficiaries for a set amount of

money from Medicare every month.

You usually must get your care from

the providers in the plan. 

Home Health Agency

An organization that gives home care

services, like skilled nursing care,

physical therapy, occupational

therapy, speech therapy, and care by

home health aides. Home Health Care

Skilled nursing care and certain other

health care you get in your home for

the treatment of an illness or injury. Homebound

To receive Medicare Home Health Care

benefits, you must be homebound. This means you are generally unable

to leave your home without

assistance; however, you may leave

for medical treatments or short,

infrequent absences for nonmedical

reasons, or for adult day care. Hospice (Palliative Care)

Hospice is a special way of caring for

people who are terminally ill, and for

their families. This care includes

physical care and counseling.

Living Wills

A legal document also known as a

medical directive or advance directive.

It states your wishes regarding lifesupport or other medical treatment in

certain circumstances, usually when

death is imminent. 

Long-term Care

A variety of services that help people

with health or personal needs and

activities of daily living over a period

of time. Most long-term care is

custodial care. Medicare does not pay

for this type of care. It is important to

consider purchasing long-term care

insurance to help pay for many of

these services.

Managed Care

Includes Health Maintenance

Organizations (HMO) and other plans

that provide health services on a

prepayment basis, which is based

either on cost or risk, depending on

the type of contract they have with

Medicare. Medicare Part A 

Hospital insurance that pays for

inpatient hospital stays, care in a

skilled nursing facility, hospice care,

and some home health care. Most

people are automatically eligible for

Part A upon turning age 65. 

Medicare Part B 

Medicare medical insurance that

helps pay for doctors’ services,

outpatient hospital care, durable

medical equipment, and some medical

services that are not covered by Part

A. You must choose to enroll in Part B,

which requires payment of monthly

premiums.

Medicare Private 

Fee-for-Service Plan

A private insurance plan that accepts

people with Medicare. The insurance

plan, rather than the Medicare

program, decides how much it will pay

and what you will pay for the services

you get.

20 21 You can support your older relative or friend by becoming familiar with

Medicare and other senior services. The resources in this booklet provide a

starting point. Once you gather the information, the next step is to contact 

the people and organizations that can support your loved one in a personal

way. www.medicare.gov is a comprehensive source of Medicare information. You can talk with a Medicare Customer Service Representative at 

1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). TTY users should call 1-877-486-2048.

Be sure to request or download your own copy of the Medicare & You

Handbook (CMS Pub. No. 10050) for easy reference. You may also

request or download other topic-specific publications. Medicare is

working to meet the needs of beneficiaries—and those who care for them.

HOW T O HE L P

Next Steps G L OSSARY 
22 23

State Health Insurance Assistance

Program:Call for help with buying a

Medigap policy or long-term care

insurance, dealing with payment

denials or appeals, Medicare rights

and protections, help with complaints

about your care or treatment, help

choosing a Medicare health plan, or

Medicare bills.

Alabama

1 (800)243-5463

Alaska

1 (800)478-6065 in-state calls only

American Samoa

1 (888)875-9229

Arizona

1 (800)432-4040

Arkansas

1 (800)224-6330 California

1 (800)434-0222 Colorado

1 (888)696-7213 Connecticut

1 (800)994-9422 in-state calls only

Delaware 

1 (800)336-9500 in-state calls only Florida

1 (800)963-5337

Georgia

1 (800)669-8387

Guam

1 (888)875-9229

Hawaii

1 (888)875-9229

Idaho

1 (800)247-4422 in-state calls only

Illinois

1 (800)548-9034 in-state calls only

Indiana

1 (800)452-4800 in-state calls only

Iowa

1 (800)351-4664

Kansas

1 (800)860-5260 in-state calls only

Kentucky

1 (877)293-7447 in-state calls only

Louisiana

1 (800)259-5301 in-state calls only Maine

1 (800)750-5353 in-state calls only Maryland

1 (800)243-3425 in-state calls only

Massachusetts

1 (800)243-4636 in-state calls only Michigan

1 (800)803-7174 Minnesota

1 (800)333-2433

Mississippi

1 (800)948-3090

Missouri

1 (800)390-3330

Montana

1 (800)332-2272 in-state calls only

Nebraska

1 (800)234-7119

Nevada

1 (800)307-4444 New Hampshire

1 (800)852-3388 in-state calls only

New Jersey

1 (800)792-8820 in-state calls only New Mexico

1 (800)432-2080 in-state calls only New York

1 (800)333-4114

North Carolina

1 (800)443-9354 in-state calls only

North Dakota

1 (800)247-0560

Northern Mariana Islands

1 (888)875-9229

Ohio

1 (800)686-1578

Oklahoma

1 (800)763-2828 in-state calls only

Oregon

1 (800)722-4134 in-state calls only Pennsylvania

1 (800)783-7067 Puerto Rico

1 (877)725-4300 in-state calls only

Rhode Island

1 (401)222-2880 South Carolina

1 (800)868-9095 in-state calls only South Dakota

1 (800)822-8804 in-state calls only

Tennessee

1 (877)801-0044 Texas

1 (800)252-9240

Utah

1 (800)541-7735 in-state calls only Vermont

1 (800)642-5119 in-state calls only

Virgin Islands

1 (340)778-6311

Virginia

1 (800)552-3402 Washington 

1 (800)397-4422 Washington DC

1 (202)676-3900

West Virginia

1 (877)987-4463

Wisconsin

1 (800)242-1060

Wyoming

1 (800)856-4398

Medicare + Choice 

A Medicare program that gives you

more choices among health plans.

These plans include both Managed Care plans and Private Fee-for-Service

plans. Everyone who has Medicare

Parts A and B is eligible, except those

who have End-Stage Renal Disease. Medigap Policy

Generally, a Medicare supplement

insurance policy sold by private

insurance companies to fill “gaps” in

Original Medicare Plan coverage.

Except in Massachusetts, Minnesota

and Wisconsin, there are 10

standardized plans labeled Plan A

through Plan J. Medigap policies only

work with the Original Medicare Plan.

Nursing Facility

A facility which primarily provides

skilled nursing care and related

services for the rehabilitation of

injured, disabled, or sick persons, or

on a regular basis, health related care

services above the level of custodial

care to other than mentally retarded

individuals. 

Nursing Home

A residence that provides care to

people who cannot be cared for at

home or in the community. Such a

residence provides meals, and helps

with activities of daily living and

recreation. Generally, nursing home

residents cannot live on their own due

to physical, emotional, or mental

problems. They usually require daily

assistance. Medicare does not pay for

mostnursing home care.

Ombudsman

An advocate (supporter) who works to

solve problems between residents

and nursing homes, as well as

assisted living facilities. 

Original Medicare Plan

See: Medicare Private Fee-for-Service

Plan.

Part A

See: Medicare Part A.

Part B

See: Medicare Part B. Power of Attorney

A medical power of attorney is a

document that lets you appoint

someone you trust to make decisions

about your medical care. This type of

advance directive also may be called

a health care proxy, appointment of

health care agent or a durable power

of attorney for health care. Regional Home Health 

Intermediary (RHHI)

A private company that contracts 

with Medicare to pay home health bills

and check on the quality of home

health care.

Rehabilitation

Rehabilitative services are ordered by

your doctor to help you recover from

an illness or injury. These services are

given by nurses and physical,

occupational, and speech therapists.

Examples include working with a

physical therapist to help you walk

and with an occupational therapist to

help you get dressed.

Respite Care

Temporary or periodic care provided 

in a nursing home, assisted living

residence, or other type of long-term care program so that the usual caregiver can rest or take some 

time off. Medicare only pays for

respite care when it is related to

hospice.

Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF)

A facility that is Medicare certified and

provides skilled nursing care and/or

skilled rehabilitation services and

other related health services. You

must meet certain conditions for

Medicare to pay for this type of care

after a Medicare-covered hospital stay

of three days or more.

State Health Insurance Assistance

Program (SHIP)

A state program that gets money from

the federal government to give free

health insurance counseling and

assistance to people with Medicare.

State Medical Assistance Office

A state agency that is in charge of the

State’s Medicaid program and can

provide information about programs to

help pay medical bills for people with

low incomes. Also provides help with

prescription drug coverage.

These phone numbers were current

at the time of printing. Please call 

1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-

4227) or check www.medicare.gov

under “Helpful Contacts” if you

have any problems with a number.
PUBLICATION NO. CMS-11034

PUBLICATION DATE: FEBRUARY 2003

National Association of Area

Agencies on Aging

National Council 

on Aging