Medicare For Dummies

Patricia Barry is features editor of AARP Media as well its online "Ms. Medicare" columnist. A recognized authority on Medicare and Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage who has written extensively for consumers, Patricia has answered thousands of questions sent by Medicare beneficiaries across the nation.

Introduction 1 Part I: Getting Started with Medicare 5 Chapter 1: The Nuts and Bolts of Medicare: What It Is and How It Works 7 Chapter 2: Spelling Out What Medicare Covers (A Lot, but Not Everything) 15 Chapter 3: Understanding What You Pay Toward Your Costs in Medicare 39 Chapter 4: Reducing Your Out ]of ]Pocket Expenses in Medicare 55 Part II: The Hows and Whens of Medicare 83 Chapter 5: Qualifying for Medicare 85 Chapter 6: Enrolling in Medicare at the Right Time for You 101 Chapter 7: Discovering How to Sign Up for Medicare 135 Chapter 8: Understanding How Medicare Fits In with Other Health Insurance 151 Part III: Making Smart Choices among Medicare s Many Options 173 Chapter 9: Making Sense of Medicare s Many Options 175 Chapter 10: Choosing Wisely If You Go with Traditional Medicare 193 Chapter 11: Making Smart Choices If You Opt for Medicare Advantage 219 Chapter 12: Getting Help in Making Medicare Choices 233 Part IV: Navigating Medicare from the Inside 247 Chapter 13: Starting Out as a New Medicare Beneficiary 249 Chapter 14: Getting the Inside Scoop on Using Certain Medicare Benefits 279 Chapter 15: Changing Your Medicare and Medigap Coverage 305 Chapter 16: Knowing Your Rights 325 Part V: The Part of Tens 341 Chapter 17: Ten Proposed Changes to Medicare You Should Know About 343 Chapter 18: Ten Ways to Stay Healthier Beyond Age 65 351 Part VI: Appendixes 359 Appendix A: Sources of Help and Information 361 Appendix B: Glossary 373 Index 379