Medicare is health insurance for people age 65 or older, under 65 with disabilities and people of any age with End-Stage Renal Disease. Medicare alone was never intended to pay for all medical expenses including coinsurance, co-pays and deductibles. A Medigap policy is health insurance sold by private insurance companies to fill the gaps in Original Medicare coverage. Medicare Supplement insurance can help you pay your medical expenses not paid for by Original Medicare.
Overview of Medicare Coverage
There have been many changes to Medicare since it was created in 1965. With these changes it is difficult to keep up with what is covered, enrollment dates and who is covered. Alabama Medicare wants to help you understand Medicare and the options available to you.
from the web site: "...Seniors can call their local State Health Insurance Assistance Program or Senior Medicare Patrol Program toll free at 1-800-243-5463 to receive free, confidential help and assistance about a variety of healthcare matters, including Medicare, Medicaid, long term care insurance and fraud detection and prevention... "
AQAF is a non-profit company that provides quality improvement expertise and services through contracts with federal and state governments, as well as private organizations. Through a contract with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, AQAF serves as Alabama's Medicare Quality Improvement Organization (QIO).
Two Perimeter Park South Suite 200 West Birmingham, AL 35243
Main telephone number: 205.970.1600 Fax number: 205.970.1616
Get answers to questions about what Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance)and Part B (Medical Insurance) covers.
Ask for information about your Medicare health coverage choices including cost, benefits, quality, and more.
Get information and ask questions about Medicare Prescription Drug Plans.
Get information about your Medicare appeal and patients’ rights.
Get information about nursing homes in your area.
Ask for Medicare booklets including the “Medicare & You” handbook. May also be available in audiotape (English and Spanish), Braille, Spanish,and large print (English and Spanish).
Get information about Medicare events and activities in your area. Find the most up-to-date phone numbers (including TTY) for information on Medicare bills and services, fraud and abuse, buying Medigap or long-term care insurance, appeals and complaints, and programs to help pay medical bills for people with limited income.
Call the Medicare Helpline 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) (English and Spanish); TTY 1-877-486-2048
If you get benefits from the Railroad Retirement Board, call your local office at 1-800-808-0772 or visit www.rrb.gov
Medicare Rights Center:
The Medicare Rights Center is a nonprofit consumer service organization that helps individuals with Medicare to understand their rights and benefits and to navigate the Medicare system. Counselors are available between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Eastern Time at 1-800-333-4114 to answer questions about making insurance choices, dealing with payment denials or appeals, complaints about care, and Medicare billing. Their website includes a section called Medicare Interactive Counselor which provides an overview of the various parts of Medicare, allows a search by specific topic, and provides links to local and national resources.
This site is maintained by the National Council on Aging and helps individuals 55 years and older determine their eligibility for programs that may help cover the cost of medications (including assistance with costs associated with the Medicare Prescription Drug Program), healthcare, and other necessary services. All information is completed online with a confidential and straight-forward questionnaire.
This is the main Medicare and Medicaid site maintained by the federal government. It provides information on benefits, online publications, prescription drug assistance, and telephone contacts for information and assistance. To find consumer information specific to either Medicare or Medicaid, click on "People with Medicare & Medicaid" on the thin top blue bar on the home page. To apply for Medicaid or to request more information about medicaid, call your state medical assistance office at 1-800-362-1504.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) are working together to help eliminate fraud and investigate fraudulent Medicare and Medicaid operators who are cheating the system.
Attorney General Eric Holder and HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius are taking the fight against Medicare and Medicaid fraud to a new level. They have convinced senior officials from HHS and DOJ to work together on the Health Care Fraud Prevention and Enforcement Action Team (HEAT).
Report Medicare Fraud
Office of Inspector General. Call: 1-800-HHS-TIPS TTY: 1-800-377-4950 email:
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Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Call:1-800-Medicare/1-877-486-2048
Has anyone approached you in a public area and offered FREE services, groceries, or other items in exchange for your Medicare number?
JUST WALK AWAY!
Has someone called you for a "health survey," then asked you to provide your Medicare number over the phone?
SIMPLY HANG UP THE PHONE!
Have you found suspicious charges such as high-priced medical services or diagnostic tests on your medical bills? These could be fraudulent charges.
Call 1-800-MEDICARE AND REPORT IT!
Have doctors, health care providers, or suppliers told you that the equipment or service is free, it won't cost you anything, and they only need your Medicare number for their records?
JUST SAY NO THANKS!
Guard your Medicare and Social Security Numbers. Report Fraud to the Office of the Inspector General.
1-800-HHS-TIPS (1-800-447-8477)
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National Clearinghouse for Long-Term Care Information
This web site was developed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to provide information and resources to help you and your family plan for future long-term care (LTC) needs.
