Jan 08 Marci Medicare Answers

Marci's Medicare Answers January 2008 Dear Marci, I don't have Part D and didn't sign up for a Medicare private drug plan during this year's November-December enrollment period, because I was afraid I couldn't afford one. But now I wonder if I should. Is it too late? Joe Dear Joe, Most people who didn't sign up for a Medicare private drug plan (Part D) by December 31 will find that it's too late now, but there are exceptions. If you are approved for Extra Help, a federal program for people with low incomes and few assets, you can enroll in a Medicare private drug plan and coverage will begin the month you became eligible. Extra Help helps pay for some or most of the costs of Medicare drug coverage. You can apply for Extra Help through the Social Security Administration, using either the agency's print or online application (available at www.ssa.gov). Even if you are enrolling in Part D after you were first eligible for the benefit, if you get Extra Help, you will not have to pay a late-enrollment penalty, as long as you enroll in a Medicare private drug plan in 2008. Marci Dear Marci, Does Medicare cover glaucoma screenings? Linda Dear Linda, Medicare generally does not pay for routine eye care, but will cover 80 percent of the cost of an eye exam by a state-licensed eye doctor if you are at high risk for glaucoma. You must first meet your annual Part B deductible. You are considered to be at high risk if you have diabetes or high blood pressure, have a family history of glaucoma; are African American and age 50 or older; or are Hispanic American and age 65 or older. Medicare will pay for the eye exam for people at high-risk once every 12 months. Marci Dear Marci, I didn't enroll in Medicare Part B when I first became eligible, because I didn't want to pay the monthly premium. Now I realize that I need it. Can I still enroll? Gail Dear Gail, You can, but if you have not had health coverage from your or your spouse's current employer, you will most likely have to pay a Part B premium penalty: 10 percent of the premium for each 12-month period that you delayed signing up. You will have to pay this penalty for as long as you have Medicare. You can apply for Part B from January 1 to March 31, and your coverage will start July 1 Medicare Part B generally covers outpatient care like doctors' and laboratory services. To enroll in Part B, go to your local Social Security office or send a signed and dated letter to Social Security that includes your name and Social Security number. Call the National Social Security hotline at 800-772-1213 for the office nearest you. You may not have to pay the penalty if you have low income and are accepted into a Medicare Savings Program (MSP) that helps pay for Medicare's out-of-pocket costs. Call your local Medicaid office to find out how to apply for an MSP in your state. Marci Marci's Medicare Answers is a service of the Medicare Rights Center (www.medicarerights.org www.medicarerights.org), the nation's largest independent source of information and assistance for people with Medicare. To subscribe to "Dear Marci," MRC's free educational e-newsletter, simply e-mail dearmarci@medicarerights.orgdearmarci@medicarerights.org.