How can I protect myself from Medicare fraud and medical identity theft?
Protect yourself from Medicare fraud and medical identity theft by safeguarding your Medicare card like a credit card. Never share your Medicare number with anyone who contacts you unsolicited by phone, email, or in person. Only give your Medicare information to doctors, pharmacies, and other Medicare providers you trust. Be alert to common scams. Medicare […]
Marketing Rules Medicare Plans must follow
Medicare Plans must follow marketing rules Medicare plans and agents must follow certain rules when marketing their plans and getting your enrollment information. They can’t ask you for credit card or banking information over the phone or via email, unless you’re already a member of that plan. Plans don’t need your personal information to provide […]
What’s an “Advance Beneficiary Notice of Non-coverage” (ABN)?
If you have Original Medicare, your doctor, other health care provider, or supplier may give you a written notice if they think Medicare won’t pay for the items or services you’ll get. This notice is called an “Advance Beneficiary Notice of Non-coverage,” or ABN. The ABN lists the items or services that your doctor or […]
How do I check the status of a Medicare claim?
To check the status of Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance) or Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance) claims – Log into (or create) your secure Medicare account. You’ll usually be able to see a claim within 24 hours after Medicare processes it. Check your Medicare Summary Notice (MSN) The MSN is a notice that people with […]
Do I have to pay for Medicare Part A?
Most people don’t have to pay a monthly premium for Medicare Part A. If you or your spouse worked and paid Medicare taxes for at least 10 years (40 quarters), you qualify for what’s called premium-free Part A. But if you don’t meet that requirement, you may need to buy it. In 2026, the monthly […]
Medicare and Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE)
PACE is a comprehensive Medicare and Medicaid program that provides all-inclusive care for elderly individuals who need nursing home level care but can still live safely in their community. To qualify for PACE, you must be 55 or older, live in a PACE service area, be certified by your state as needing nursing home care, […]
Your Medicare coverage choices
You have two main Medicare coverage choices when you first enroll and during certain enrollment periods. Original Medicare includes Part A for hospital insurance and Part B for medical insurance. With Original Medicare, you can see any doctor or hospital that accepts Medicare anywhere in the United States. You’ll typically pay 20% coinsurance after meeting […]
Medicare – Preventive service – Lung cancer screenings
Preventive service – Lung cancer screenings Medicare covers lung cancer screenings with low dose computed tomography once per year if you meet these updated conditions: • You’re 50–77. • You don’t have signs or symptoms of lung cancer (you’re asymptomatic). • You’re either a current smoker or you quit smoking within the last 15 years. […]
Medigap and Travel
If you receive emergency health care services or supplies outside the United States, your Medigap policy may provide additional coverage. Medigap plans C, D, F, G, M, and N cover foreign travel emergency health care when you travel outside the U.S. Plans E, H, I, and J are no longer available for sale, but if […]
Understanding Your Medicare Card
As soon as you enroll in Medicare, you will receive your Medicare card. You must bring your Medicare card to all medical and health services appointments. If you are speaking with Medicare or your health insurance or prescription drug company, you should also have this information available. Here are detailed instructions on what to do […]