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Medicare Changes:
What
They Mean To You
Recently all Medicare beneficiaries received information about changes in Medicare
coverage. The new information confused many people, and we would like to try to clarify
some issues for you...
As a Medicare beneficiary you will be given the option of enrolling in a Medicare + Choice
plan.
All of the options listed in the information that was mailed out are NOT available in
Illinois.
Most importantly - If you are happy with your current coverage - you do not need to change
anything. If you do not enroll in a Medicare + Choice plan, you will automatically remain
in the Original fee-for-service Medicare Plan.
Medicare beneficiaries living in Illinois have three options available to them-
Original Medicare Plan - you can go to any provider that accepts Medicare. Some services
are not covered and you have some out- of- pocket costs.
Original Medicare with Supplemental Policy - you pay a premium for a standardized
supplemental policy from a private insurance company. You have coverage for some
deductible and coinsurance costs, depending on which policy you choose to buy. There may
be coverage for extra benefits not covered by Medicare.
Medicare Managed Care Plan - Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs) are approved network
of doctors, hospitals and other health care providers. You still have Medicare. Medicare
pays the HMO to manage your Medicare services. Some HMOs charge a monthly premium in
addition to your Part B premium. Others may have no premium. This coverage requires you to
use only the doctors and hospitals in the HMO network. You may have little or no out-of-
pocket costs for covered services. You do not need a Medicare Supplement policy if you
join an HMO.
Medicare also has added benefits at no extra cost to help you stay healthy. These benefits
are available no matter which health plan you choose...
Yearly mammograms and Pap smear tests, including pelvic and breast examinations
Diabetes education and glucose monitoring for diabetics
Colorectal cancer screening
Bone mass measurement
Flu and pneumococcal pneumonia shots
You can request up-to-date information about Medicare + Choice health plans by using the
automated Medicare Special Information number 1-800-318-2596 or call the Senior Health
Insurance Information Program (SHIP) at 1-800-548-9034.
PLOWS will keep up-to-date as more alternatives become available and will continue to
provide information as it becomes available.
Contact Information
PLOWS Council on Aging is available Monday thru Friday from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
- Telephone
- 708-422-6722
- FAX
- 708-422-8475
- Postal address
- 4700 West 95th Street, Suite 106, Oak Lawn, Illinois 60453
- Electronic mail
- General Information: xplowsx@ameritech.net
Webmaster: xplowsx@ameritech.net
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PLOWS Council on Aging
