Additional Resources

Massachusetts

Benefits Check Up - www.benefitscheckup.org
A service of the National Council on Aging helps people connect to government programs that provide help paying for prescription drugs, health care, utilities, and other needs.

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) - www.cms.gov
CMS protects and improves beneficiaries’ health and satisfaction as well as promote understanding of CMS programs among beneficiaries, the health care community and the public. The CMS website links you to a wealth of  Medicare and Medicaid information including billing and fraud, regulations, HIPAA, legislation and state trends.

Medicare - www.Medicare.gov

People with Medicare, family members, and caregivers should visit, the Official U.S. Government Site for People with Medicare, for the latest information on Medicare enrollment, benefits, and other helpful tools.

• 800.MEDICARE (800.633.4227) or
  TTY/TDD 877.486.2048, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
  
  
• "Medicare & You" Handbook - This handbook is mailed to everyone with Medicare each fall. You may view or download a copy from www.medicare.gov - under “Search Tools,” select “Find a Medicare Publication.”
  
  
• Direct access to the CMS Complaint Form (use this form to provide feedback directly to Medicare about a Medicare health plan or prescription drug plan, including HNE Medicare Advantage; if you would like to appeal an HNE Medicare Advantage initial decision or submit a grievance, we encourage you to contact HNE Medicare Advantage directly: Initial Decisions, Appeals, and Grievances).


• The Medicare Beneficiary Ombudsman is a person who reviews and helps you with your Medicare complaints. Click here for a direct link to the Ombudsman’s page: http://www.medicare.gov/claims-and-appeals/medicare-rights/get-help/ombudsman.html

• Social Security Administration (SSA) - www.socialsecurity.gov

• To find out if you are eligible for extra help with your Medicare prescription drug coverage, call 800.772.1213 or TTY/TTD 800.325.0778, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., Monday - Friday.

• Click here for a direct link to the SSA Web page - "Help With Medicare Prescription Drug Plan Costs"

State Health Insurance Program or SHIP - www.shiptalk.org

A national program that offers one-on-one counseling and assistance to people with Medicare and their families.

In Massachusetts, Serving Health Information Needs of Elders (SHINE), is located within the Massachusetts Executive Office of Elders Affairs.

• Serving the Health Information Needs of Elders (SHINE) provides health insurance counseling services to elderly and disabled adults. SHINE counselors help elders and Medicare beneficiaries understand their rights and benefits under Medicare and other health insurance coverage. Counselors can identify and compare current options and protect clients from paying too much on their medical care. SHINE Counselors also help clients learn how to fill out insurance claims forms and public benefits applications. (Click here to access the SHINE Web site.)

In Connecticut, the SHIP is called Connecticut's Program for Health Insurance Assistance Outreach Information and Referral, Counseling, Eligibility Screening (CHOICES)

• CHOICES is independent (not connected with any insurance company or health plan).  It is a state program that gets money from the Federal government to give free local health insurance conseling to people with Medicare. CHOICES counselors can help you with your Medicare questions or problems. CHOICES counselors can also help you understand your Medicare plan choices and answer questions about switching plans. Contact CHOICES via phone 800.994.9422 or web CHOICES

MASSACHUSETTS

Connecticut

Connecticut Department of Social Services (Medicaid)- www.ct.gov/dss/

Medicaid is a joint Federal and state government program that helps with medical costs for certain people with limited incomes and resources. Some people with Medicare are also eligible for Medicaid.
In addition, there are programs offered through Medicaid that help people with Medicare pay their Medicare costs, such as their Medicare premiums. These programs help people with limited income and resources save money each year.

Contact Medicaid by phone 1.800.842.1508/ TTY 800.842.4524 or via web

H8578_2016_049 Approved

The information on this page was last updated on 2/18/2016