Summary of Medicare benefits, rights and protections, and answers to the most frequently asked questions about Medicare.

Welcome to Medicare & You 2009
Medicare’s goal is to make it easy for you to get the highest quality health care at the most affordable price. Medicare is transforming itself from a program which simply pays the bills to a program which actively supports a high quality health care system.

What do we mean by a high quality health care system? It’s a system that does the following:

• Rewards providers for quality and efficiency
• Uses objective standards to determine quality and efficiency
• Communicates using an interconnected, computerized health information network, so providers can get a comprehensive view of the patient securely and without delay
• Offers consumers complete, objective, easily accessible information, so they can make solid decisions about their own health care based on quality and price

Medicare shares quality information about providers in your area at www.medicare.gov. In addition, this “Medicare & You” handbook is another way Medicare is working to make sure you have reliable information to help you make good health care decisions.

Throughout this handbook, we have information about how you can get the most out of your Medicare, including Medicare health and prescription drug plan choices and coverage, how to protect yourself and Medicare from fraud, background on advance directives, and resources for detailed information and personalized help. This information is up-to-date between January 1, 2009–December 31, 2009. You will get a new handbook every fall to help you compare coverage and learn new and important information.

Download Medicare & You 2009

PDF format, 3.3MB, 128Pages.

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
7500 Security Boulevard
Baltimore, Maryland 21244-1850

This is the official government handbook with important information about the following:

• What's new
• 2009 Medicare costs
• What Medicare covers
• Health and prescription drug plans
• Your Medicare rights
• Fraud and identity theft

Tips To Help Prevent Medicare Fraud
DOs
DO protect your Medicare Number (on your Medicare card). Treat your Medicare card like it is a credit card. Don’t ever give it out except to your doctor or other Medicare provider. Never give your Medicare or Medicaid number in exchange for free medical equipment or any other free offer. Dishonest providers will use your numbers to get payment for services they never delivered.

DO remember that nothing is ever “free.” Don’t accept offers of money or gifts for free medical care.

DO ask questions! You have a right to know everything about your medical care including the costs billed to Medicare.

DO educate yourself about Medicare. Know your rights and know what a provider can and can’t bill to Medicare.

DO use a calendar to record all of your doctor’s appointments and what tests or X-rays you get. Then check your Medicare statements carefully to make sure you got each service listed and that all the details are correct.

DO be cautious of any provider or plan representative who says he has been approved by the Federal government.

DO be wary of providers who tell you that the item or service isn’t usually covered, but they “know how to bill Medicare” so Medicare will pay.

DO make sure you understand how a plan works before you join.

DO always check your pills before you leave the pharmacy to be sure you got the full amount. If you don’t get your full prescription, report the problem to the pharmacist.

DO report suspected instances of fraud. See pages 88–89 to find out who to call.

DO review your Medicare payment notice for errors. The payment notice shows what services or supplies were billed to Medicare, what Medicare paid, and what you owe. Make sure Medicare wasn’t billed for health care services or medical supplies and equipment you didn’t get. If you spend time in a hospital, make sure the admission date, discharge date, and diagnosis on your bill are correct.

DON’Ts
DON’T allow anyone, except your doctor or other Medicare providers, to review your medical records or recommend services.

DON’T contact your doctor to request a service that you don’t need. Don’t let anyone persuade you to see a doctor for care or services you don’t need.

DON’T accept medical supplies from a door-to-door salesman. If someone comes to your door claiming to be from Medicare or Medicaid, remember that Medicare and Medicaid don’t send representatives to your home.

DON’T be influenced by certain media advertising about your health. Many television and radio ads don’t have your best interest at heart.

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