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Medicare.gov
Everything you need to know to manage your Medicare benefits, including information on prescription drug options, comparing hospitals, comparing nursing homes, comparing health plans, and learning more about eligibility and coverage
Laws
42 USC §§ 1395 et seq. Federal Medicare law
MGL c.176K Medicare supplement insurance plans
MGL c.112 § 2 Prohibition against “balance billing” if the doctor accepts Medicare patients.
“The board shall require as a condition of granting or renewing a physician's certificate of registration, that the physician, who if he agrees to treat a beneficiary of health insurance under Title XVIII of the Social Security Act, shall also agree not to charge to or collect from such beneficiary any amount in excess of the reasonable charge for that service as determined by the United States Secretary of Health and Human Services.”
Web sources
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Service
Includes links to general information, the appeal process, and more.
Finding a doctor
Enter your address and the specialty in the search boxes and you will get a list of providers.
Getting started with Medicare
Walks you through the process of signing up, what to do if you want to work past 65, and how much you will need to pay.
Health insurance counseling. The Massachusetts SHINE Program (Serving the Health Insurance Needs of Everyone) provides free health insurance information, counseling, and assistance to all Massachusetts residents with Medicare.
Late enrollment and penalties, Medicare.gov.
Medicare
Get answers to general questions including coverage availability while living or traveling out of the country.
Medicare open enrollment
Dates for signing up for Medicare, Medigap, and Medicare Advantage.
Medicare Part B sign up
Sign up if you have Part A and now want Part B or if you lost your job/benefits and need to sign up.
Medicare rights center
Includes "Medicare Interactive," a source for information on any topic related to medicare. Search, research, or ask a question.
Medicare supplement plans in Massachusetts, 2021 with costs.
- Coverage on state mandated items not covered by Medicare
- Coverage chart for the different policies
- Easy to use search for particular item coverage
Prescription drug plans in your state, Medicare.gov
After you answer basic questions, like your zip code, lists plans available in Massachusetts with premiums, contact information, and links to providers
Resources on the Medicare prescription drug benefit, Kaiser Family Foundation
Includes "key Foundation resources and data on the Medicare drug benefit"
Social Security: Medicare benefits, Social Security Administration.
Learn how to apply for Medicare only online, if you don't want to start receiving Social Security yet.
Will all doctors accept my Medicare coverage? And other questions answered. Medicare Resources.org.
Print sources
How to win Medicare appeals, American Bar Association, 2020
Medicare and Medicaid claims and procedures, West, with supplement
Primer & update on the Medicare secondary payer act, MCLE, 2019
Social Security, Medicare & government pensions : get the most out of your retirement & medical benefits by Joseph L. Matthews, Nolo, 2021.
Contact
Online
| Last updated: | April 14, 2022 |
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