Frequently Asked Questions

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2) What can I do if I lose my Medicare card?

Lost Medicare cards are a somewhat common occurance. If you lose your Medicare card, or have it stolen, you need to contact your local Social Security office to inform them & order a replacement card. If you are in need of an immediate replacement, you can contact Social Security via the following toll free number: 1-800-772-1213. If you are in no rush for your replacement card, you can complete a request online & receive your new card within 30 days. You will need your last payment amount, your name as it appears on your most recent Social Security card along with your Social Security number & your date of birth. In some cases you might also be required to identify your mother's maiden name as well as your place of birth.

3) What can I do if I lose my Medicaid card?

If you lose your Medicaid card or have it stolen, you will need to contact the Medicaid Recipient Information hotline at 1-800-362-1504 to order a replacement card. Similar to a lost Medicare card, you will be required to provide Medicaid personnel with identification information so as to verify your Medicaid recipient status.

4) Where can I find a listing of Medicare plans & providers?

Our site offers a detailed listing of Medicare plans & providers. Those interested in researching types of Medicare plans should click on PLANS. Those interested in researching Medicare providers should click on PROVIDERS .

5) Where can I find information regarding dental insurance?

Whereas medical care is generally used to help cure an existing ailment, dental care is more preventive, designed to stop disease from occurring in the first place. For this reason, regular check-ups (at least once a yr) are suggested by the Surgeon General. For those searching for specific dental insurance plan information, check out www.dental-resources.com for a listing of dental insurance resources.

6) Where can I find a listing of Medigap plans & providers?

Our site offers a great deal of information regarding Medigap plans & providers. Those researching types of Medigap plans should click on PLANS . Those researching types of Medigap providers should click on PROVIDERS .

7) How do I apply for Medicare? Medicaid?

Medicare is a Federal health insurance program that is designated for those people who are 65+ years of age. Although directed towards a specific age bracket, Medicare plans are also applicable to certain disabled people. Both you and your spouse automatically qualify for Medicare if you are 65 years of age and you are eligible for Social Security or Railroad Retirement Benefits. For a more detailed explanation of how to apply for Medicare, call 1-800-772-1213 toll free.

Medicaid is run by the states, which means that each state determines who is eligible and the range of heal services offered. For more detailed information of how to apply for Medicaid, call the Medicaid Recipient Information hotline at 1-800-362-1504.

8) Where can I find a listing of participating Medicare doctors?

Our resource is set up to provide consumers with a wide-range of health insurance information with the intention of providing an overview of the health insurance industry. Whereas we do offer a great deal of detail oriented content, at this time we do not offer information as specific as a listing of participating Medicare doctors throughout every possible location in the United States. We are constantly working to update/improve our health insurance resource so as to answer your questions to the best of our abilities, so be sure to keep checking back. In the meantime, we suggest you visit the official U.S Medicare website at www3.Medicare.gov.

9) What happens to my Medicare coverage if I move outside the U.S ?

If you currently have Medicare and you’re planning on moving outside of the United States, you need to know that health services outside the U.S are not going to be covered by your plan. If & when you return to the United States, Medicare Part A will be available to you. In terms of Part B coverage, you have the option to continue paying your monthly premium whilst living outside the country, however, since Medicare benefits are solely available inside the U.S, continuing to pay a monthly premium for a service you cannot take advantage of might not be in your best interest. If you drop your Part B coverage, then return to the U.S, you will be required to re-enroll & pay a premium that is 10% higher for each 12-month period that you were without coverage. If you are re-enrolling for Part B, you may only do so from January through March each year. (Coverage will not resume until July of that yr)

10) Have there been any recent changes to Medicare?

Yes. The recent implementation of the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003 has created a new, voluntary discount card for purchasing prescription drugs, & a low-income Transitional Assistance Program that will be in effect until Medicare Part D becomes available in 2006. Estimates suggest that the prescription drug discount card could save recipients anywhere from 10% - 25% on the cost of covered drugs.

11) How can I apply for Medicare or Social Security benefits online?

The only online resource through which you can apply for Medicare or Social Security benefits is the U.S Social Security website at www.ssa.gov. The department can also be reached via telephone at 1-800-772-1213

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