• People age 65 or older.
• Some people with disabilities under age 65.
• People with end-stage renal disease (permanent kidney failure requiring dialysis or a kidney transplant).

There are three parts to Medicare:

• Part A - Hospital Insurance
• Part B - Medical Insurance
• Part D - Prescription Drug Insurance

If you have any questions regarding Medicare and health plan coverage, you may call (800) MEDICARE or (800) 633-4227. The toll-free line is available 24 hours a day, including weekends. It is now offering service in English and in Spanish.

If you are interested in what Medicare Part D prescription drug plans are available in Michigan , please visit the Medicare website or Michigan Medicare/Medicaid Assistance Program.

If you have additional questions you can call my Detroit office at (313) 226-6020 or (800) 851-0030 (in state) and speak with my constituent representative for Medicare issues or write to my office at:

Office of Senator Carl Levin
Patrick V. McNamara Federal Building
477 Michigan Avenue, Suite 1860
Detroit, MI 48226-2594

Need answers and information now?

You may visit the Medicare website, for any questions regarding:

• Obtaining a new Medicare card
• Obtaining a copy of the Medicare and You 2007 publication
• Keeping up with what is new in Medicare

Answers to these questions and more are available on this website and provide quick answers to your questions. The Medicare site is updated regularly, so visit often. If you do not have access to a computer, you may call the toll-free number, (800) MEDICARE (800) 633-4227 to speak to a Medicare representative.

Some frequently asked questions about Medicare:

• What is the Medicare premium for 2008?
• What is Medicare Part A?
• When is the general enrollment period for Medicare Part B?
• How do I obtain a new Medicare card if it is lost or stolen?
• What if I did not sign up for Medicare Part B when I first became eligible?
• What if I am a Railroad Retiree?
• When should I apply if I turn 65 this year?
• What is Medicare Part D?
• How can I enroll in a plan or get more information?
• I already have prescription drug coverage through an employer or retiree plan. Do I still need to enroll?
• I do not have prescription coverage. Will I be penalized if I do not enroll in Part D?
• What is extra help and how can I find out if I am qualified?
• I currently receive Medicaid and Medicare coverage. Do I need to enroll?

What is the Medicare premium for 2008?

Beginning January 2008, the base premium is $96.40.

What is Medicare Part A?

Medicare Part A is hospital insurance. Coverage includes inpatient care in hospitals, critical access hospitals and skilled nursing facilities. It also covers hospice care and some home health care. There are certain conditions that must be met.

Most people do not have to pay a monthly payment, called a premium, for Part A because they or their spouse paid Medicare taxes while employed. If you did not pay a monthly payment while being employed and you are age 65 or older, you may still be able to buy Part A. Please contact the SSA at (800) 772-1213 for information about buying Part A.

When is the general enrollment period for Medicare Part B?

General Enrollment Period is from January 1 through March 31 each year. If you did not sign up for Medicare Part B when you first became eligible, you may sign up during this period. You may sign up for Medicare Part B at your local SSA office. However, you may be assessed a 10 percent surcharge for each year you were eligible but did not enroll.

How do I obtain a new Medicare card if it is lost or stolen?

Call the Social Security Administration at (800) 772-1213 or apply online. When using the website, select "Medical Information" and you will be sent a new card through the SSA.

What if I did not sign up for Medicare Part B when I first became eligible?

If you did not enroll in Part B when you became eligible because you or your spouse were still employed and had group health coverage through your or your spouse's employer or union, you can sign up for Part B during a special enrollment period.

You may sign up:

• Anytime you are still covered by the employer or union group health plan, through your or your spouse's current or active employment;
• During the eight months following the month that the employer or union group plan coverage ends, or when the employment ends (whichever is first).

If you do not enroll during this timeframe, you may be assessed a 10 percent surcharge for each year you were eligible but did not enroll.

What if I am a Railroad Retiree?

If you are a Railroad Retiree and are trying to obtain Medicare benefits, you will need to contact the Railroad Retirement Board Helpline at (800) 808-0772 or visit the Railroad Retirees website .

For further information regarding the General Enrollment and Special Enrollment periods, please call (800) MEDICARE or visit the Medicare website.

If you still have questions, please contact my Detroit office at (313) 226-6020 or (800) 851-0030 (in state) for further assistance.

When should I apply if I turn 65 this year?

You may apply three months before your 65th birthday through three months after that date. Please note that delaying enrollment past your birthday will delay the effective date of your coverage.

What is Medicare Part D?

Medicare Part D is prescription drug coverage available to everyone with Medicare, those who are covered by Part A or Part B, or both. As with Part B, individuals may enroll three months prior to their 65th birthday, or the first day of Medicare eligibility, through three months after that date. Additionally, from November 15th to December 31st of each year, an open season will occur. During this time, beneficiaries who did not sign up for the benefit during their initial period may enroll. Additionally, already enrolled individuals can change their plans at this time.

In Michigan, 18 companies are offering a total of 55 different plans. A monthly premium is charged for coverage. The basic benefit offered pays for 75 percent of prescription cost after a $275 deductible has been met. Once drug costs total $2,510 coverage is suspended until drug costs total $5,726.25. This coverage gap has been referred to as the doughnut hole. Once drug costs total more than $5,726.25, 95 percent of all drug costs are covered.

How can I enroll in a plan or get more information?

You can enroll in a plan and get more information by calling 1-800-MEDICARE or through Medicare.gov . Medicare's website will allow you to compare different plans based on the prescriptions you use. The Michigan Medicare Medicaid Assistance Program (MMAP) is also assisting beneficiaries enroll in plans and may be reached by calling 1-800-803-7174.

I already have prescription drug coverage through an employer or retiree plan. Do I still need to enroll?

Individuals who have what is called creditable coverage, that is coverage equivalent to or better than the standard Part D benefit, may choose not to enroll. If you have prescription coverage and are Medicare eligible, you should have received a notice from your plan's administrator explaining how current coverage compares to Part D and whether you need to enroll. If your coverage is eliminated you will be able to enroll in Part D during a 63 day special enrollment period, starting the day coverage ends.

I do not have prescription coverage. Will I be penalized if I do not enroll in Part D?

Medicare beneficiaries who do not enroll in Part D when they first become eligible will face 1 percent per month premium surcharge and will not be able to enroll until the yearly Annual Coordinated Election Period, between November 15th and December 15th of each year.

What is extra help and how can I find out if I am qualified?

Extra help is assistance in meeting premium and drug co-pay costs for individuals with limited assets and resources. Single people with incomes less than $15,315 and assets totaling less than $11,710 are eligible; married couples with incomes less than $20,535 and assets less than $23,410 qualify. Applications are available through the Social Security Administration and may be obtained by visiting your local office, calling 1-800-772-1213, or through Social Security Online.

I currently receive Medicaid and Medicare coverage. Do I need to enroll?

Those covered by Medicaid and Medicare, or dual eligible beneficiaries, were automatically enrolled in a plan. However, you are able to enroll in a different plan if you find the plan to which you have been assigned does not cover your particular prescriptions.

RELATED LINKS

• FirstGov
• Centers for Medicare / Medicaid Services
• Office of Personnel Management
• Office of Workers' Comp Program
• Social Security Admin
• Veterans Affairs

PRIVACY RELEASE