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Medicare Interactive

Medicare Interactive

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Should I change my Medicare coverage if I'm moving out of state?
I have Original Medicare, a Part D prescription drug plan, and a Medigap. I am moving from New York to Arizona in a few months. Do I need to change my Medicare coverage? Because you have Original M...
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Dear Marci: What home health services does Medicare cover?

Home health care includes a wide range of health and social services delivered in your home to treat illness or injury. If you qualify for the home health benefit, Medicare covers the following: •    Skilled nursing services, such as injections, tube feedings, catheter changes, observation and assessment of your condition, and wound care o    Provided up to seven days per week for generally no more than eight hours per day and 28 hours per week. In some circumstances, Medicare can cover up to 35 hours per week. •    Skilled therapy services, such as physical therapy, speech language pathology, and occupational therapy o    Note: You cannot qualify for Medicare home health coverage if you only need occupational therapy. However, if you qualify for home health care on another basis, you can also get occupational therapy. When your other home health needs end, you can continue receiving Medicare-covered occupational therapy under the home health benefit if you need it. •    Home health aide, who provides personal care services like bathing, toileting, and dressing o    Note: Medicare pays in full for an aide if you required skilled care. Medicare will not pay for an aide if you only require personal care and do not need skilled care. •    Medical social services, such as counseling or help finding resources in your community o    Medical social services are ordered by your doctor to help with social and emotional concerns you have related to your illness. •    Medical supplies, such as wound dressings and catheters •    Durable medical equipment (DME), such as wheelchairs and walkers There are certain requirements one must meet to be eligible for the home health benefit. For example, an individual must be considered homebound and have a plan of care approved by their doctor. Do note, however, that during the current coronavirus public health emergency, some of these requirements have been changed to allow for greater access to home health care. It is also important to know that your home health care is covered by Medicare even if your condition is chronic or if you are not showing signs of improvement. Speak with your doctor to begin home health care. If you have Original Medicare, call 1-800-MEDICARE or visit www.medicare.gov/care-compare to find a list of Medicare-certified home health agencies (HHAs). If you have a Medicare Advantage Plan, you should contact the plan directly for a list of HHAs in your plan’s network. -Marci Dear Marci is a free e-newsletter from the Medicare Rights Center (www.medicarerights.org), the nation’s largest independent source of information and assistance for people with Medicare. For more free answers to your Medicare questions, visit Medicare Interactive (MI) at www.medicareinteractive.org. Subscribe to Dear Marci by registering for your free account on Medicare Interactive.   For more postings by Medicare Interactive, click Here Receive a 20% discount on Medicare Interactive courses with code:  "WCC20" Website:  https://www.medicareinteractive.org/wcc WealthCare Connect may receive a referral fee from Medicare Interactive for purchases make through these links.
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Dear Marci: Will Medicare cover therapy appointments with a psychologist?

Medicare does cover outpatient mental health care services, like individual therapy sessions. There are some important considerations to take when choosing your provider, if you would like to ensure your care is covered and to save money. Let’s discuss Medicare coverage and outpatient mental health care services more. Medicare Part B covers outpatient mental health care, including the following services:   •    Individual and group therapy •    Substance use disorder treatment •    Tests to make sure you are getting the right care •    Occupational therapy •    Activity therapies, such as art, dance, or music therapy •    Training and education (such as training on how to inject a needed medication or education about your condition) •    Family counseling to help with your treatment •    Laboratory tests •    Prescription drugs that you cannot administer yourself, such as injections that a doctor must give you •    An annual depression screening (speak to your primary care provider for more information) Original Medicare covers the outpatient mental health services listed above at 80% of the Medicare-approved amount. This means that as long as you receive services from a participating provider, you will pay a 20% coinsurance after you meet your Part B deductible. If you are enrolled in a Medicare Advantage Plan, contact your plan for cost and coverage information. Your plan’s deductibles and copayments/coinsurance may differ. Medicare covers mental health care you receive through an outpatient hospital program, at a doctor’s or therapist’s office, or at a clinic. You may receive services from the following types of providers: •    General practitioners •    Nurse practitioners •    Physicians’ assistants •    Psychiatrists •    Clinical psychologists •    Clinical social workers •    Clinical nurse specialists If you see a non-medical doctor (such as a clinical psychologist or clinical social worker), make sure that your provider is Medicare-certified and takes assignment. Medicare will only pay for the services of non-medical doctors if they take assignment. It is also important to note that psychiatrists are more likely than any other type of provider to opt out of Medicare. Be sure to ask any provider if they take your Medicare insurance before you begin receiving services. Remember, if you see an opt-out provider, they must have you sign a private contract. The contract states that your doctor does not take Medicare and you must pay the full cost of the service yourself. Medicare will not reimburse you if you see an opt-out provider. If your provider does not have you sign a contract, you are not responsible for the cost of care.   If you have Original Medicare and need help finding a participating provider, you can use Medicare’s Physician Compare tool online or call 1-800-MEDICARE. If you have a Medicare Advantage Plan, call your plan directly for a list of mental health care providers in your plan’s network. For additional assistance accessing behavioral health care providers and other local resources, call the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) at 800-662-4357.     -Marci Dear Marci is a free e-newsletter from the Medicare Rights Center (www.medicarerights.org), the nation’s largest independent source of information and assistance for people with Medicare. For more free answers to your Medicare questions, visit Medicare Interactive (MI) at www.medicareinteractive.org. Subscribe to Dear Marci by registering for your free account on Medicare Interactive.   For more postings by Medicare Interactive, click Here Receive a 20% discount on Medicare Interactive courses with code:  "WCC20" Website:  https://www.medicareinteractive.org/wcc WealthCare Connect may receive a referral fee from Medicare Interactive for purchases make through these links.
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Dear Marci: Will Medicare cover therapy appointments with a psychologist?

Medicare does cover outpatient mental health care services, like individual therapy sessions. There are some important considerations to take when choosing your provider, if you would like to ensure your care is covered and to save money. Let’s discuss Medicare coverage and outpatient mental health care services more. Medicare Part B covers outpatient mental health care, including the following services:   •    Individual and group therapy •    Substance use disorder treatment •    Tests to make sure you are getting the right care •    Occupational therapy •    Activity therapies, such as art, dance, or music therapy •    Training and education (such as training on how to inject a needed medication or education about your condition) •    Family counseling to help with your treatment •    Laboratory tests •    Prescription drugs that you cannot administer yourself, such as injections that a doctor must give you •    An annual depression screening (speak to your primary care provider for more information) Original Medicare covers the outpatient mental health services listed above at 80% of the Medicare-approved amount. This means that as long as you receive services from a participating provider, you will pay a 20% coinsurance after you meet your Part B deductible. If you are enrolled in a Medicare Advantage Plan, contact your plan for cost and coverage information. Your plan’s deductibles and copayments/coinsurance may differ. Medicare covers mental health care you receive through an outpatient hospital program, at a doctor’s or therapist’s office, or at a clinic. You may receive services from the following types of providers: •    General practitioners •    Nurse practitioners •    Physicians’ assistants •    Psychiatrists •    Clinical psychologists •    Clinical social workers •    Clinical nurse specialists If you see a non-medical doctor (such as a clinical psychologist or clinical social worker), make sure that your provider is Medicare-certified and takes assignment. Medicare will only pay for the services of non-medical doctors if they take assignment. It is also important to note that psychiatrists are more likely than any other type of provider to opt out of Medicare. Be sure to ask any provider if they take your Medicare insurance before you begin receiving services. Remember, if you see an opt-out provider, they must have you sign a private contract. The contract states that your doctor does not take Medicare and you must pay the full cost of the service yourself. Medicare will not reimburse you if you see an opt-out provider. If your provider does not have you sign a contract, you are not responsible for the cost of care.   If you have Original Medicare and need help finding a participating provider, you can use Medicare’s Physician Compare tool online or call 1-800-MEDICARE. If you have a Medicare Advantage Plan, call your plan directly for a list of mental health care providers in your plan’s network. For additional assistance accessing behavioral health care providers and other local resources, call the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) at 800-662-4357.     -Marci Dear Marci is a free e-newsletter from the Medicare Rights Center (www.medicarerights.org), the nation’s largest independent source of information and assistance for people with Medicare. For more free answers to your Medicare questions, visit Medicare Interactive (MI) at www.medicareinteractive.org. Subscribe to Dear Marci by registering for your free account on Medicare Interactive.   For more postings by Medicare Interactive, click Here Receive a 20% discount on Medicare Interactive courses with code:  "WCC20" Website:  https://www.medicareinteractive.org/wcc WealthCare Connect may receive a referral fee from Medicare Interactive for purchases make through these links.
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Dear Marci: Am I eligible for a transition refill?

Transition refills are not for new prescriptions. You can only get transition fills for drugs you were already taking before switching plans or before your existing plan changed its coverage. The following situations describe when you can get a transition refill if you do not live in a nursing home (there are different rules for transition refills for those living in nursing homes): 1. Your current plan is changing how it covers a Medicare-covered drug you have been taking.   •    If your plan is taking your drug off its formulary or adding a coverage restriction for the next calendar year for reasons other than safety, the plan must either: o    Help you switch to a similar drug that is on your plan’s formulary before January 1 o    Or, help you file an exception request before January 1 o    Or, give you a 30-day tran sition fill within the first 90 days of the new calendar year along with a notice about the new coverage policy. 2. Your new plan does not cover a Medicare-covered drug you have been taking. •    If a drug you have been taking is not on your new plan’s formulary, this plan must give you a 30-day transition refill within the first 90 days of your enrollment. It must also give you a notice explaining that your transition refill is temporary and informing you of your appeal rights. •    If a drug you have been taking is on your new plan’s formulary but with a coverage restriction, this plan must give you a 30-day transition refill free from any restriction within the first 90 days of your enrollment. It must also give you a notice explaining that your transition refill is temporary and informing you of your appeal rights. •    In both of the above cases, if a drug you have been taking is not on your new plan’s formulary, be sure to see whether there is a similar drug that is covered by your plan (check with your doctor about possible alternatives) and, if not, to file an exception request. (If your request is denied, you have the right to appeal.) Note: If you file an exception request and your plan does not process it by the end of your 90-day transition refill period, your plan must provide additional temporary refills until the exception is completed. Remember: All stand-alone Part D plans and Medicare Advantage Plans that offer drug coverage must provide transition fills in the above cases. When you use your transition fill, your plan must send you a written notice within three business days. The notice will tell you that the supply was temporary and that you should either change to a covered drug or file an exception request with the plan. - Marci Dear Marci is a free e-newsletter from the Medicare Rights Center (www.medicarerights.org), the nation’s largest independent source of information and assistance for people with Medicare. For more free answers to your Medicare questions, visit Medicare Interactive (MI) at www.medicareinteractive.org. Subscribe to Dear Marci by registering for your free account on Medicare Interactive.   For more postings by Medicare Interactive, click HERE Receive a 20% discount on Medicare Interactive courses with code:  "WCC20" Website:  https://www.medicareinteractive.org/wcc WealthCare Connect may receive a referral fee from Medicare Interactive for purchases make through these links.
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Dear Marci - When can I change my Medicare coverage in 2021?

There are certain periods of time when you can make changes to your Medicare coverage. These periods of time are called enrollment periods. If you have a Medicare Advantage Plan, you may be able to use the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (MA OEP). •    The MA OEP occurs each year from January 1 through March 31. •    During the MA OEP you can switch from your Medicare Advantage Plan to another Medicare Advantage Plan or to Original Medicare with or without a prescription drug plan. •    You may only make one change during this period, and it will be effective the first of the next month after you make the change. •    Remember, you can only use this enrollment period if you have a Medicare Advantage Plan. Depending on your circumstances, you may qualify for a Special Enrollment Period (SEP) to change your Medicare health and drug coverage. •    There are many circumstances in which you may have a Special Enrollment Period (SEP), such as if you moved outside of your plan’s service area, your Medicare Advantage Plan terminated a significant amount of its network providers, or you are enrolled in a State Pharmaceutical Assistance Program (SNAP). •    Those with Extra Help, the federal program that helps pay for drug costs, have an SEP to enroll in a Part D plan or switch between plans once per quarter in the first three quarters of the year. •    If you need to make changes to your coverage but you are not sure whether you qualify for an SEP, call your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) to learn more. If you do not know how to contact your SHIP, call 877-839-2675 or visit www.shiptacenter.org. If you enrolled in a plan by mistake or because of misleading information, you may be able to disenroll and change plans. •    Typically, you have the right to change plans if you joined unintentionally, joined based on incorrect or misleading information, or, through no fault of your own, were kept in a plan you did not want. •    You can call 1-800-MEDICARE to explain to a customer service representative how you joined the plan by mistake and to request retroactive disenrollment or a Special Enrollment Period. Finally, both individuals with Original Medicare and those with a Medicare Advantage Plan can make changes during Fall Open Enrollment. •    The Fall Open Enrollment Period occurs each year from October 15 through December 7. •    During this period you can join a new Medicare Advantage Plan or stand-alone prescription drug plan (Part D) plan. You can also switch between Original Medicare with or without a Part D plan and Medicare Advantage. •    You can make as many changes as you need during this period, and your last coverage choice will take effect January 1. As you can see, there are various enrollment periods in which you can change your Medicare coverage. Which enrollment period you use depends on your specific circumstances and the kind of coverage you have. - Marci Dear Marci is a free e-newsletter from the Medicare Rights Center (www.medicarerights.org), the nation’s largest independent source of information and assistance for people with Medicare. For more free answers to your Medicare questions, visit Medicare Interactive (MI) at www.medicareinteractive.org. Subscribe to Dear Marci by registering for your free account on Medicare Interactive.   For more postings by Medicare Interactive, click HERE Receive a 20% discount on Medicare Interactive courses with code:  "WCC20" Website:  https://www.medicareinteractive.org/wcc WealthCare Connect may receive a referral fee from Medicare Interactive for purchases make through these links.
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Dear Marci: How can I appeal my SNF discharge?

If you are receiving care in a non-hospital setting and are told that Medicare will no longer pay for your care (and you will be discharged), you have the right to file a fast appeal if you do not believe your care should end. Non-hospital settings include skilled nursing facilities, Comprehensive Outpatient Rehabilitation Facilities (CORFs), hospice, or home health agencies. If your care at a non-hospital setting is ending because your provider believes Medicare will not pay for it, you should receive a Notice of Medicare Non-Coverage. You should get this notice no later than two days before your care is set to end. If you receive home health care, you should receive the notice on your second to last care visit. If you have reached the limit in your care or do not qualify for care, you do not receive this notice and you cannot appeal. If you feel that your care in a non-hospital setting should continue, follow the instructions on the Notice of Medicare Non-Coverage to file an expedited appeal with the Quality Improvement Organization (QIO) by noon of the day before your care is set to end. Once you file the appeal, your provider should give you a Detailed Explanation of Non-Coverage. This notice explains in writing why your care is ending and lists any Medicare coverage rules related to your case. The QIO will usually call you to get your opinion. You can also send a written statement. If you receive home health or CORF care, you must get a written statement from a physician who confirms that your care should continue. If you have Original Medicare, the QIO should make a decision no later than two days after your care was set to end. If you have a Medicare Advantage Plan, the QIO should make a decision no later than the day your care is set to end. Your provider cannot bill you before the QIO makes its decision. If the QIO appeal is successful, you should continue to receive Medicare-covered care, as long as your doctor continues to certify it. If your appeal is denied at this first level, you can continue to appeal by following instructions on the denial notices you receive. There are five levels of appeal in total; the timing and agency involved depend on whether you have Original Medicare or a Medicare Advantage Plan. You have the right to continue appealing if you are not successful. Expedited appeals have tight deadlines, so it is important to pay attention to the timeframes for appealing at each level. Keep copies of any appeal paperwork you send out, and if you speak to someone on the phone, get their name and write down the date and time that you spoke to them. It is helpful to have all of your appeal documents together in case you run into any problems and need to access documents you already mailed. Note that the appeal process is different if your inpatient hospital care is ending or if your care is being reduced but not ending, and you do not agree with that reduction. - Marci Dear Marci is a free e-newsletter from the Medicare Rights Center (www.medicarerights.org), the nation’s largest independent source of information and assistance for people with Medicare. For more free answers to your Medicare questions, visit Medicare Interactive (MI) at www.medicareinteractive.org. Subscribe to Dear Marci by registering for your free account on Medicare Interactive.   For more postings by Medicare Interactive, click HERE Receive a 20% discount on Medicare Interactive courses with code:  "WCC20" Website:  https://www.medicareinteractive.org/wcc WealthCare Connect may receive a referral fee from Medicare Interactive for purchases make through these links.
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