Medicare & You Handbook 2020

Medicare

&

You

The official U.S. government Medicare handbook

2021

What's new?

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) Medicare is committed to getting you the information you need on COVID-19. For the most up-to-date information on coverage and benefits, visit or call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). TTY users can call 1-877-486-2048.

Lower out-of-pocket costs for insulin If you join a Medicare drug plan that participates in the "Part D Senior Savings Model," you could save hundreds of dollars each year in out-of-pocket costs for insulin. See page 84.

Medicare Advantage & End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) If you have ESRD, you can join a Medicare Advantage Plan during Open Enrollment (October 15?December 7, 2020). Your plan coverage will start January 1, 2021. See page 59.

Acupuncture for back pain Medicare now covers up to 12 acupuncture visits in 90 days for chronic low back pain. See page 30.

Telehealth & other virtual services Telehealth benefits allow you to get medical or health services that generally occur in-person (like office visits and consultations) from a doctor or other health care provider who's located elsewhere using real-time interactive audio and video technology (see page 48). Medicare also covers certain virtual services, like E-visits (see page 39) and virtual check-ins (see page 50).

Get help with your Medicare coverage choices Visit plan-compare to shop for and compare health and drug plans that meet your needs. You can also enter your drugs to get more accurate costs for plans in your area.

Compare health care providers & services Visit to find and compare doctors, hospitals, nursing homes, and other health care services near you. You can now get contact information, quality ratings, and other information in a centralized place.

Important! This year it's more important than ever to get a flu shot to protect your health and your family's. See page 40.

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Contents

Get started ........................................................................................................................ 4

What are the parts of Medicare? ............................................................................. 5

Your Medicare options ................................................................................................. 6

Original Medicare vs. Medicare Advantage ....................................................7?8

Get the most out of Medicare................................................................................... 9

Index of topics............................................................................................................... 10

Section 1: Signing up for Medicare .............................................................................................15

Section 2: Find out if Medicare covers your test, item, or service ...............................25

Section 3: Original Medicare.........................................................................................................53

Section 4: Medicare Advantage Plans & other options .....................................................57

Section 5: Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap)......................................................71

Section 6: Medicare drug coverage (Part D)..........................................................................75

Section 7: Get help paying your health & drug costs.........................................................87

Section 8: Know your rights & protect yourself from fraud.............................................93

Section 9: Get more information...............................................................................................105

Section 10: Definitions ......................................................................................................................117

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Get started

If you're new to Medicare:

? Learn about your Medicare coverage options. There are 2 main ways to get your Medicare coverage--Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) and Medicare Advantage. See the next few pages to learn more.

? Find out how and when you can sign up. If you don't have Medicare Part A or Part B, see Section 1, starting on page 15. If you don't have Medicare drug coverage (Part D), see Section 6, starting on page 75. There may be penalties if you don't sign up when you're first eligible.

? If you have other health insurance, see pages 21?22 to find out how your other insurance works with Medicare.

If you already have Medicare:

? Review your Medicare health and drug coverage and make changes if it no longer meets your needs, or if you could lower your out-of-pocket costs. You don't need to sign up for Medicare each year, but you should still review your options.

? Mark your calendar with these important dates! This may be the only chance you have each year to change your coverage.

October 1, 2020

Start comparing your current coverage with other options. You may be able to save money or get extra benefits. Visit plan-compare.

October 15 to December 7, 2020

Change your Medicare health or drug coverage for 2021, if you decide to. This includes changing to Original Medicare, or joining or changing a Medicare Advantage Plan.

January 1, 2021

New coverage begins if you made a change. If you kept your existing coverage and your plan's costs or benefits changed, those changes also start on this date.

January 1 to March 31, 2021

If you're in a Medicare Advantage Plan, you can change to a different Medicare Advantage Plan or switch to Original Medicare (and join a separate Medicare drug plan) once during this time. Any changes you make will be effective the first of the month after the plan gets your request. See page 59.

See pages 5?9 for an overview of your Medicare options.

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What are the parts of Medicare?

Part A (Hospital Insurance)

Helps cover: ? Inpatient care in hospitals ? Skilled nursing facility care ? Hospice care ? Home health care See pages 25?29.

Part B (Medical Insurance)

Helps cover: ? Services from doctors and other health care providers ? Outpatient care ? Home health care ? Durable medical equipment (like wheelchairs, walkers,

hospital beds, and other equipment) ? Many preventive services (like screenings, shots or vaccines,

and yearly "Wellness" visits) See pages 29?51.

Part D (Drug coverage)

Helps cover the cost of prescription drugs (including many recommended shots or vaccines). Plans that offer Medicare drug coverage are run by private insurance companies that follow rules set by Medicare. See pages 75?86.

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