Medicare Spotlights

Medicare's new Durable Medical Equipment Competitive Bidding Program starts in certain areas of the country!

Medicare is phasing in a new program (competitive bidding) to help save you and Medicare money; ensure that you get quality equipment, supplies, and services; and help limit fraud and abuse. In some areas of the country if you need certain items, you must use contract suppliers (suppliers who participate in the competitive bidding program) or grandfathered suppliers, or Medicare won't pay for the item and you will likely pay full price. It's important to see if you are affected by this new program to ensure coverage and avoid any disruption of service.

Find out if you live in an area included in this program - or what you need to do if you travel to one of these areas.

Redesigned Hospital Compare!

This tool provides you with information on how well the hospitals care for all their adult patients with certain conditions or procedures. This information will help you compare the quality of care hospitals provide as the measures show how often hospitals provide some of the care that is recommended for patients being treated for a heart attack, heart failure or pneumonia, or patients having surgery. This tool also displays the Survey of Patients’ Hospital Experiences, using data collected from the Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HCAHPS) Survey. Information on inpatient hospital payment information and the number of Medicare patients treated (volume) for certain illnesses are also displayed.

Medicare & You 2008

Medicare & You contains important information about what's new, health plans, prescription drug plans, and rights and protections to help people with Medicare review their coverage options and prepare to enroll in a new plan if they choose. It is available in both English and Spanish.

Each fall, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services mails a geographic-specific version to all households of people with Medicare. In 2008, there are 59 geographic-specific versions with drug and health plan comparison charts for particular states or regions.

MyMedicare.gov

MyMedicare.gov provides direct Internet access to your Medicare benefits, eligibility, enrollment (including prescription drug plans) and preventive health information - 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Visit the site, sign up, and Medicare will mail you a password to allow you access to your personal Medicare information. MyMedicare.gov also allows you to view your adjudicated claims information, access online forms and publications, and receive important messages from Medicare.

Preventive Services Start Now!

2008 Plan Benefits and Rates Available

What are the Medicare Premiums and Coinsurance Rates for 2008?

Get Your Flu Shot

Order a Medicare Replacement Card Online