Hoboken, NJ—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. To address these questions and more, Wiley and AARP have published the second edition of Medicare For Dummies^®(Wiley, 978-1-119-07942-2, September 2015, US $19.99). 

Written by Patricia Barry, features editor of AARP Media as well its online “Ms. Medicare” columnist, Medicare For Dummies, 2^nd Edition is the complete guide for navigating Medicare’s often-confusing complexities and helps consumers avoid mistakes that could cost them heavily. The book describes what Medicare covers and what beneficiaries pay, with up-to-date information on the costs of premiums, deductibles and copays—and how to reduce these expenses.

“This book will help anybody with Medicare get the best out of their coverage and save money,” said Barry. “Medicare For Dummies is especially useful for people who are about to become eligible for the program, because that’s when they need to make the right decisions—out of an array of often confusing options—and avoid pitfalls that could cost them dearly.”

This latest edition explains how individuals can:

• Qualify for Medicare according to their personal circumstances, including new information on the rights of people in same-sex marriages.
• Sign up at the right time to avoid lifelong late penalties. 
• Sort through Medicare’s many options to ensure they’re making the decision that’s best for them.

Covering everything from the basics to more complex problems and where to find help, AARP’s Medicare For Dummies, 2^nd Edition helps readers get the most out of Medicare.

Medicare For Dummies, 2^nd Edition is now available for purchase online and at retailers nationwide in both print and all e-book formats. For a full list of retailers, visit www.dummies.com/buy/9781119079422. To request a review copy or author interview, contact Chantal Kowalski at ckowalski@wiley.com.

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About the author:

Patricia Barry is features editor of AARP Media as well as its online “Ms. Medicare” columnist. A recognized authority on Medicare and Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage who has written extensively for consumers, Barry has answered thousands of questions sent by Medicare beneficiaries across the nation.

About For Dummies^®

After 20 years, more than 250 million copies printed, and millions of e-books downloaded, For Dummies is the world’s bestselling reference series, well known for enriching people’s lives by making knowledge accessible in a fun and easy way. Loyal customers around the globe agree that For Dummies is “more than a publishing phenomenon…[it is] a sign of the times,” [The New York Times]. With more than 1,800 active topics covering everything from health to history, music to math, sports to self-help, technology to travel, For Dummies is dedicated to Making Everything Easier. The For Dummies brand presence continues to expand wherever there is a need to know, including mobile apps, e-learning courses, a corporate custom publishing program, a robust consumer website, and a licensed product line that includes consumer electronics, culinary, crafts, video, software, musical instrument packs, home improvement, automotive, game, and more. For more information, visit Dummies.com. For Dummies is a branded imprint of Wiley.

About AARP

AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization, with a membership of nearly 38 million, that helps people turn their goals and dreams into real possibilities, strengthens communities and fights for the issues that matter most to families such as healthcare, employment and income security, retirement planning, affordable utilities and protection from financial abuse. We advocate for individuals in the marketplace by selecting products and services of high quality and value to carry the AARP name as well as help our members obtain discounts on a wide range of products, travel, and services.  A trusted source for lifestyle tips, news and educational information, AARP produces AARP The Magazine, the world's largest circulation magazine; AARP Bulletin; www.aarp.org; AARP TV & Radio; AARP Books; and AARP en Español, a Spanish-language website addressing the interests and needs of Hispanics. AARP does not endorse candidates for public office or make contributions to political campaigns or candidates.  The AARP Foundation is an affiliated charity that provides security, protection, and empowerment to older persons in need with support from thousands of volunteers, donors, and sponsors. AARP has staffed offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Learn more atwww.aarp.org.

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CONTACTS:
Chantal Kowalski / Wiley, (317) 572-3492, ckowalski@wiley.com
Greg Phillips / AARP, (202) 434-2560, media@aarp.org