Money Talks

Eleanor Laise, Senior Editor from Kiplinger, is our guest expert leading the discussion of Medicare.

Here's the link to a recent article that Ms. Laise wrote: https://www.kiplinger.com/article/retirement/T039-C000-S004-navigate-2020-medicare-changes-open-enrollment.html

We had a lot of websites and phone number given out. Here they are for you to read:

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

You can also get information on your most recent claims without having to speak to a customer service representative. Please be sure you have your Medicare number available before calling. • Listen to the status of your claims. • Find out your current deductible status. • Listen to your current prescription drug plan enrollment. • Get more help with your Medicare questions. • Order Medicare publications. (Some are available in large print, Spanish, audio-tape, and Braille.) You can hear a recording with answers to frequently asked questions, and can order publications 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You can talk with a customer service representative 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. 

medicare.gov There's a wealth of information on this site.

mymedicare.gov Provide your user name and password or create an account.

1-800-333-4114 or medicarerights.org The Medicare Rights Center is a national, nonprofit consumer service organization that works to ensure access to affordable health care for older adults and people with disabilities through counseling and advocacy, educational programs and public policy initiatives. Counselors are available Monday through Friday, and are happy to answer your questions about insurance choices, Medicare rights and protections, payment denials and appeals, complaints about care or treatment, and Medicare bills.

shiptacenter.org or 1-877-839-2675 State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) A state program that gets funding from the federal government to provide free local health coverage counseling to people with Medicare.

benefitscheckup.org The National Council on Aging provides information about Medicine, Health Care, Income Assistance, Food & Nutrition House, Housing & Utilities, Tax Relief, Veteran, Employment, And More. There are over 2,500 benefit programs available nationwide. Find out what benefits may be available in your area.