It really all depends on whether you mind being limited to which health care providers you can visit, because all Medicare HMOs in Maryland require you to go to their enrolled doctors only. You may not use your Medicare card anywhere else. Either write to the HMO and request to be disenrolled, or visit your local Social Security office and request a disenrollment form. Some people delay enrollment in Part B because they continue to work after turning age 65, but everyone else is better off enrolling when they turn 65. If you need inpatient skilled nursing or rehabilitation services after a hospital stay and you meet certain other conditions, Medicare helps pay for up to 100 days in a Medicare-participating skilled nursing facility in each benefit period.
Custodial care is the type of care many people receive in nursing homes.
A. HealthScope is the program of the Baltimore County Department of Aging which provides health and wellness information to senior adults through presentations, demonstrations, exercise classes and individual medical screenings. Usually these services are provided at a Senior Center near you. HealthScope program schedules are also published in Senior Digest. Q. My mother is in ill health and has difficulty bathing and cooking her meals. I live out of town and cannot give her the assistance she needs.