Medicare Blog

who can answer questions about medicare in pa

by Giovanni Willms Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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For help with a Medicaid application, or for any further questions about the Medicaid program, contact the Pennsylvania Consumer Service Center for Health Care Coverage at 1 (866) 550-4355. You can also visit or call a local County Assistance Office for further assistance.

PA MEDI Counselors are specially trained to answer your questions and provide you with objective, easy-to-understand information about Medicare, Medicare Supplemental Insurance, Medicaid, and Long-Term Care Insurance.

Full Answer

Who do I call if I Have Questions about Medicare?

Do you have questions about your Medicare coverage? 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) can help. TTY users should call 1-877-486-2048. What should I have ready when I call 1-800-MEDICARE?

Who regulates Medicare coverage in Pennsylvania?

Medicare coverage is regulated by both federal and stage agencies, depending on the type of coverage. The Pennsylvania Insurance Department regulates Medigap plans in the state as well as brokers and agents who sell Medicare coverage, and is a great resource for Pennsylvania residents. Visit the Medicare Rights Center.

How many Medicare beneficiaries in Pennsylvania are enrolled in Medicare Advantage?

In Pennsylvania in 2018, 40% of Medicare beneficiaries were enrolled in Medicare Advantage plans (at that point, nationwide Medicare Advantage enrollment covered 34% of Medicare beneficiaries).

What is the income limit for Medicare Part B in PA?

In Pennsylvania, these programs pay for Medicare Part B premiums, Medicare Part A and B cost-sharing, and – in some cases – Part A premiums. Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB): The income limit is $1,063 a month if single and $1,437 a month if married.

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Who answers questions about Medicare?

Medicare Beneficiary Ombudsman If you've contacted 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227; TTY: 1-877-486-2048) about a Medicare-related inquiry or complaint but still need help, ask the 1-800-MEDICARE representative to send your inquiry or complaint to the Medicare Ombudsman's Office.

Who do you call with questions about Medicare?

1-800-633-4227Call 1-800-MEDICARE For questions about your claims or other personal Medicare information, log into (or create) your secure Medicare account, or call us at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). TTY users can call 1-877-486-2048.

Who is responsible for Medicare?

The federal agency that oversees CMS, which administers programs for protecting the health of all Americans, including Medicare, the Marketplace, Medicaid, and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP).

What is Medicare helpline?

(800) 633-4227Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services / Customer service

What is the best way to contact Medicare?

1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) For specific billing questions and questions about your claims, medical records, or expenses, log into your secure Medicare account, or call us at 1-800-MEDICARE.

Does Medicare have local offices?

Does Medicare Have Local Offices? Medicare does not have local offices.

What is the US Department of Health and Human Services responsible for?

United StatesUnited States Department of Health and Human Services / JurisdictionThe mission of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is to enhance the health and well-being of all Americans, by providing for effective health and human services and by fostering sound, sustained advances in the sciences underlying medicine, public health, and social services.

Which organization assists in establishing policies related to Medicare?

ONC has worked closely with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to assist in establishing policies related to Medicare and Medicaid payment for "meaningful use" of EHRs.

How is Medicare regulated?

The Social Security Administration (SSA) oversees Medicare eligibility and enrollment.

How do I ask CMS a question?

Beneficiaries should call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227), TTY users should call 1-877-486-2048 for all of the following: General questions about the Shared Savings Program.

Is the Medicare coverage helpline for real?

The Medicare Coverage Helpline is a no-cost service that connects you with a licensed insurance agent to discuss Medicare plan options in your area. We have helped more than one million consumers find Medicare plans that best suit their individual needs.

Does Medicare have a chat line?

Medicare.gov Live Chat is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, except some federal holidays.

Does Pennsylvania help with my Medicare premiums?

Many Medicare beneficiaries who struggle to afford the cost of Medicare coverage are eligible for help through a Medicare Savings Program (MSP). In...

Who's eligible for Medicaid for the aged, blind and disabled in Pennsylvania?

Medicare covers a great number services – including hospitalization, physician services, and prescription drugs – but Original Medicare doesn’t cov...

Where can Medicare beneficiaries get help in Pennsylvania?

APPRISE Medicare Counseling Program You can receive free volunteer Medicare counseling by contacting the APPRISE Medicare Counseling Program at 1-8...

Where can I apply for Medicaid in Pennsylvania?

Pennsylvania’s Medicaid program is overseen by the Pennsylvania Health Care Authority. You can apply for Medicaid ABD or an MSP using this website...

What is the income limit for Medicare in Pennsylvania?

Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB): The income limit is $1,063 ...

Who can help with Medicaid?

Elder law attorneys can help you plan for receiving Medicaid long-term care benefits. Use this search feature from the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA) to find an elder attorney in your area.

What is the minimum income for HCBS in Pennsylvania?

The monthly income limits to be eligible for HCBS in Pennsylvania are $2,349 (single) and $4,698 (married and both spouses are applying). Spousal impoverishment rules in Pennsylvania allow spouses who don’t have Medicaid to keep a Minimum Monthly Maintenance Needs Allowance that is between $2,155 and $3,216 per month.

How much does Medicare pay for nursing home care?

Income limits: The income limit is $2,349 a month if single and $4,698 a month if married (and both spouses are applying ). This income limit doesn’t mean nursing home enrollees can keep all of their income up to this level.

How much can a spouse keep on Medicaid?

If only one spouse has Medicaid, the other spouse can keep up to $128,640. Certain assets are never counted, including many household effects, family heirlooms, certain prepaid burial arrangements, and one car. Nursing home enrollees also can’t have more than $595,000 in home equity. Back to top.

When did Medicare and Medicaid start paying for estate recovery?

Congress exempted Medicare premiums and cost sharing from Medicaid estate recovery starting with benefits paid starting on January 1, 2010. Here are answers to frequently asked questions about estate recovery in Pennsylvania.

What is the Medicaid spend down limit in Pennsylvania?

Income eligibility: The income limit is $425 a month if single and $442 a month if married (as of 2018). Asset limits: The asset limit is $2,400 if single and $3,200 if married.

How many people are covered by Medicare in Pennsylvania?

Key takeaways. Medicare enrollment in Pennsylvania covers nearly 2.8 million residents. Only one county in Pennsylvania has fewer than 30 Medicare Advantage plans available, and some have more than 70. 45 percent of Pennsylvania beneficiaries have coverage under Medicare Advantage plans (instead of Original Medicare).

Who regulates Medicare in Pennsylvania?

The Pennsylvania Insurance Department regulates Medigap plans in the state as well as brokers and agents who sell Medicare coverage, and is a great resource for Pennsylvania residents. Visit the Medicare Rights Center.

How much is Medicare Advantage 2020 in Pennsylvania?

In 2020, there are 31 stand-alone Medicare Part D plans for sale in Pennsylvania, with monthly premiums that range from about $13 to $168. As of mid-2020, there were 1,116,231 beneficiaries of Medicare in Pennsylvania with stand-alone Part D coverage, and another 1,077,018 had Part D coverage integrated with Medicare Advantage plans.

How many Medicare plans are there in Pennsylvania?

There are 66 insurers that offer Medicare plans in Pennsylvania as of 2020.

What percentage of Pennsylvania's Medicare beneficiaries are in Medicare Advantage plans?

In Pennsylvania in 2018, 40 percent of Medicare beneficiaries were enrolled in Medicare Advantage plans (at that point, nationwide Medicare Advantage enrollment covered 34 percent of Medicare beneficiaries). But by the middle of 2020, private Medicare coverage enrollment had grown to nearly 45 percent of Pennsylvania’s Medicare population.

How long do you have to wait to get Medicare?

For most Americans, eligibility for Medicare benefits is tied to turning 65. But Medicare eligibility is also triggered when a person has been receiving disability benefits for at least two years (people with ALS or end-stage renal disease do not have to wait two years for their Medicare enrollment to begin).

What is Medicare Advantage?

The first choice is between Medicare Advantage plans, where coverage is through private Medicare Advantage plans, or Original Medicare, where coverage is paid for directly by the federal government.

How much does Medicare cost in Pennsylvania?

More than 1.5 million Pennsylvania residents receive health care coverage through Medicare. This federal program costs up to $471 per month for Part A hospital insurance and about $148 per month for Part B medical insurance. If you decide to get your Medicare coverage through a private insurance plan instead of Original Medicare, ...

What is Pennsylvania's health insurance?

The Pennsylvania Insurance Department has online information about a variety of general insurance needs for seniors , including home, travel, health, and life insurance. The website includes an overview of Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplement Insurance, and Part D prescription drug plans. While the department can’t recommend specific plans, its Consumer Service Bureau can assist with insurance-related questions and help resolve issues or complaints you have with an insurance provider in the state.

What is the PCA in Philadelphia?

The PCA is Pennsylvania’s largest Area Agency on Aging and provides a broad range of services for seniors. It administers the APPRISE program in Philadelphia, which is staffed with trained counselors who can help you compare Medicare, Medicare Advantage, Medigap, and prescription drug plans. They can also assist with Medicaid enrollment. These free, private counseling services are available through two centers based on where you live in Philadelphia. Visit the PCA website to look up the APPRISE center nearest you based on your zip code or contact the APPRISE statewide helpline.

Does Medicare cover out of pocket expenses?

Although Original Medicare helps pay for some of your health expenses, you still incur costs, such as Part B premiums, deductibles, and coinsurance . Some Pennsylvanians purchase Medicare Supplement Insurance Plans, also called Medigap, to cover some of these out-of-pocket costs. Health insurance companies can offer 10 different categories of Medigap plans (A, B, C, D, F, G, K, L, M, and N) in Pennsylvania. All plans within the same letter category have similar benefits but different coverage levels. You can only enroll in a Medigap plan if you’re getting your Part A and Part B coverage through Original Medicare.

Does Medicare cover vision?

The plans cover the same services as Original Medicare and an array of other benefits, including prescription drugs, vision, and fitness memberships. The benefits vary, enabling you to find the right mix for your needs.

Does Pennsylvania have Medicare?

Pennsylvania offers plenty of choices for Medicare coverage, with numerous plans you can enroll in, and in some cases, combine, to fit your health care needs. You can choose basic coverage through Original Medicare and add on optional Medigap or prescription drug plans. You can also get all-in-one, comprehensive benefits through Pennsylvania’s ...

Does Medicare cover hearing aids?

Original Medicare only covers services that are medically necessary and doesn’t include prescription drugs, eyeglasses, hearing aids, and other supplemental benefits. Your costs typically include monthly premiums, deductibles, and coinsurance each time you receive services. There’s no limit on out-of-pocket expenses.

What happens if you don't pay Medicare?

But, if you don’t pay the premium on a Medicare Advantage or Medigap plan, they can drop you. Also, if you don’t pay your Part D premium, the drug plan can drop you. Usually, they give multiple notices before the plan terminates your policy.

How many classes of drugs does Medicare cover?

There are many drugs covered under Medicare. Plus, every plan must cover the six protected classes. If you have medications that need coverage, use the Medicare plan finder tool to identify the policy that will cover your medications.

What is Medicare Part C?

Medicare Part C is a Medicare Advantage plan. These plans sometimes have a $0 per month premiums, and many of them include Part D drug coverage. However, there are some pitfalls to Medicare Advantage plans that you need to know before signing up.

What is a medicaid supplement?

A Medigap plan is a supplemental option for Medicare. Medigap plans are also Medicare Supplement plans; these policies fill the gaps in Medicare. So, when Medicare would otherwise charge you 20% or a deductible, the Medicare Supplement could instead pick up the bill.

Does Medicare pay less if you have a low income?

The cost of Medicare depends on many things. Those with a low income will likely pay less than the standard amount and may qualify for Medicare and Medicaid. Those with a higher income will likely pay more for Part B; this is called the Part B Income Related Monthly Adjustment Amount.

Is Medicare mandatory?

Of course, Medicare isn’t mandatory, so you can choose whichever option makes the most sense for your situation. You can also always consult your benefits administrator at the office where you work to identify your options.

What is Medicaid PA?

Medicaid, or Medical Assistance (as it is known in PA) is available to middle class families to help pay for long-term care. Discover basic facts about Medicaid regulations and the Medicaid process with this guide.

How long does Medicare pay for rehabilitation?

Medicare will sometime pay for rehabilitation in a long-term care facility for a period of 20 to 100 days, but not longer.

Does Medicaid cover nursing home room and board?

In long-term care, Medicaid covers the cost of ongoing support services for daily functioning, such as room and board in a nursing home.

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