Medicare For Dummies
2nd Edition
Published on 8. September 2015
Book
Paperback/Softback
408 pages
978-1-119-07942-2 (ISBN)
Description
Make your way through the Medicare maze with help from For Dummies
America's baby boomers are now turning 65 at the rate of about 10,000 a day. Yet very few have any idea about how Medicare works, when they should sign up, or how the program fits in with other health insurance they may have. Medicare For Dummies, 2nd Edition provides a detailed road map for navigating Medicare's often-baffling complexities and helps consumers avoid pitfalls that could otherwise cost them dearly.
In plain language, the new edition explains:
* How to qualify for Medicare, according to your personal circumstances, including new information on the rights of people in same-sex marriages
* When to sign up at the time that's right for you, to avoid lifelong late penalties
* How to weigh Medicare's many options so you can be confident of making the decision that's best for you
* What Medicare covers and what you pay, with up-to-date details of the costs of premiums, deductibles, and copays--and how you may be able to reduce those expenses
By conveying not only the basics but also how to troubleshoot problems and where to find assistance, Medicare For Dummies, 2nd Edition helps you to get the most out of Medicare.
America's baby boomers are now turning 65 at the rate of about 10,000 a day. Yet very few have any idea about how Medicare works, when they should sign up, or how the program fits in with other health insurance they may have. Medicare For Dummies, 2nd Edition provides a detailed road map for navigating Medicare's often-baffling complexities and helps consumers avoid pitfalls that could otherwise cost them dearly.
In plain language, the new edition explains:
* How to qualify for Medicare, according to your personal circumstances, including new information on the rights of people in same-sex marriages
* When to sign up at the time that's right for you, to avoid lifelong late penalties
* How to weigh Medicare's many options so you can be confident of making the decision that's best for you
* What Medicare covers and what you pay, with up-to-date details of the costs of premiums, deductibles, and copays--and how you may be able to reduce those expenses
By conveying not only the basics but also how to troubleshoot problems and where to find assistance, Medicare For Dummies, 2nd Edition helps you to get the most out of Medicare.
More details
Person
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.
Content
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
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