Things to know about Medicare and Open Enrollment (which end December 7th).
Medicare is insurance for the elderly and disabled. There are several parts to Medicare and many choices to be made by the consumer. To assist in these decisions, the state of South Carolina and the Federal government have put together a program call the State Health Insurance Program (SHIP) or alternatly known as the Insurance Counseling Assistance and Referrals for Elders program (I-CARE). What it means to consumers is there are people throughout the state who can provide health insurance counseling for Medicare, Medicare Supplement, Medicare Savings program, Medicare Advantage Plans and Senior Medicare Fraud programs.
If you would like help with Medicare information and Part D enrollment, contact the SHIP counselor for your area. For other areas of interest see the following:
Medicare Part A & B
As of October, 2007, the current addresses where directly billed Medicare beneficiaries must send their Medicare Part B and/or A premium payments
Medicare Part D - Prescription Drug Coverage programs
Help with Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage
Find out more about the Medicare Part D
Compare Medicare Prescription Drug Plans
"Choosing a Medigap Policy"
Medicare Supplemental/Medigap Plans - medium sized (550Kb) pdf file from the Federal website
Other Programs
QMB or SLMB Applications
Medicare Savings Programs - Get an application for
Extra Help or Low-Income Subsidy (LIS)
From the federal web site
Medicare
Federal Medicare Site
Medicare Fraud
Short primer on protecting yourself from fraud
National Consumer Protection Technical Resource Center
Non-profit national cousumer protection technical resource
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