Medicare - Understanding Your Options

1. Medicare - The Nuts and Bolts
2. Medicare Part D Drug Plans
3. Medicare and Health Reform

Medicare - The Nuts and Bolts

The Medicare program is made up of several "parts" that offer various benefits, including hospital insurance, medical insurance for doctors' services, and prescription drug coverage. Find out more about Medicare and its "parts" so you can make the most of your benefit.

• An Overview of Medicare Benefits
• 20 Questions About Medicare
• Medicare Part A
• Medicare Part B
• Medicare Advantage Plans

• Medicare Open Enrollment
• Medicare Disability Coverage
• Medigap Policies
• Your Medicare Rights
• Your Medicare Choices

Medicare Part D Drug Plans

Medicare Part D, an outpatient prescription drug benefit, is offered to everyone with Medicare. To get Part D drug coverage, you have to join a plan run by a private insurance company that has been approved by Medicare.

• How to Enroll in Medicare Part D
• Get Help Choosing a Part D Drug Plan
• Part D Words You Need to Know

• Part D Late Enrollment Penalty
• Understanding the Part D Donut Hole
• Lower Your Costs in the Donut Hole

Medicare and Health Reform

The Affordable Care Act makes several changes to Medicare that most likely will improve your benefits and, depending on where you live, your access to primary care services. These changes will start this year - 2010 - and be fully phased in by 2020.

• Medicare Changes and Health Reform
• Medicare Improvements in the Affordable Care Act
• Changes in Medicare for 2011