AARP's Medicare Question and Answer Tool
By Year
- After the doughnut hole is closed, will I still pay 25 percent of my prescription drug costs or only after I reach the catastrophic level of coverage?
- Are there different types of Part D prescription drug plans?
- Can I be denied Medicare coverage, or asked to pay more, because of my current health problems or preexisting medical conditions?
- Can I enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan if I have kidney failure?
- Can I get Medicare if I have advanced kidney disease?
- Can I get Medicare if I live overseas?
- Can I get Medigap supplemental insurance if I’m under 65?
- Can I get help to pay for my Medicare prescription drugs if I have a low income?
- Can I have more than one Medigap plan at the same time?
- Can I qualify for Medicare at 65 or older if I haven’t applied for Social Security retirement benefits?
- Can I use my Medicare Part D drug coverage anywhere in the United States?
- Can my family members qualify for Medicare?
- Do I automatically receive Medicare if I qualify for disability benefits?
- Do I have a choice in how I get my Medicare health and prescription drug coverage?
- Do I have to enroll in Medicare if I continue to have health coverage after age 65 from my own or my spouse’s employer?
- Do I have to join a Medicare Part D prescription drug plan?
- Do I have to reenroll in my Medicare Part D prescription drug plan every year?
- Do I need Medicare Part D drug coverage if I take no prescription drugs, or only the occasional one?
- Do Medicare Advantage plans include both Part A and Part B?
- Do Medicare Advantage plans provide the same coverage as Original Medicare?
- Does Medicare cover all of my health care costs?
- Does Medicare cover chiropractic services?
- Does Medicare cover home health services?
- Does Medicare cover hospice care?
- Does Medicare cover long-term care, nursing home care or care in skilled nursing facilities?
- Does Medicare cover prescription drugs?
- Does Medicare cover routine dental care?
- Does Medicare cover routine foot care?
- Does Medicare cover the vaccine for shingles?
- Does Medicare pay for routine hearing care?
- Does Medicare pay for routine vision care?
- Does Medicare pay for the pneumonia shot?
- Does Original Medicare automatically include Part A, Part B and Part D?
- Does the doughnut hole apply to Medicare Advantage plans?
- How Medicare Works With Other Coverage
- How Much Medicare Costs
- How are Medicare Advantage plans different from Original Medicare?
- How are Medicare Advantage plans different from each other?
- How can I choose the best Medicare Part D prescription drug plan for my needs?
- How can I find out which Part D drug plans cover the prescription drugs I take?
- How can I prepare for my “Welcome to Medicare” visit?
- How can I tell which Part D prescription drug plans provide good service?
- How do I enroll in Medicare?
- How do I enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan?
- How do I enroll in original Medicare?
- How do I find a Medicare approved home health agency?
- How do I find an insurance company that is approved to sell Medicare supplemental plans (Medigap) in my area?
- How do I join a Medicare Part D prescription drug plan?
- How do I know if I have the best plan for me?
- How do I know what drugs are covered through my Part D plan?
- How do I order a replacement Medicare card?
- How do I qualify for Medicare?
- How is the doughnut hole going to close?
- How long do I have to enroll in a Medigap plan? Is there a time limit?
- How much is the late enrollment penalty for Medicare Part A?
- How much is the late enrollment penalty for Medicare Part B?
- How much is the late enrollment penalty for Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage?
- How much is the late enrollment penalty for Part A?
- How much is the late enrollment penalty for Part B?
- How much is the late enrollment penalty for Part D?
- How much of hospital costs is covered under Medicare Part A?
- How much of skilled nursing costs are covered under Medicare Part A?
- How often can I change my Medicare Part D prescription drug plan?
- How will I know if I’ve reached the coverage gap?
- I am a federal employee and will continue to work for the government after I turn 65, with health care coverage from the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHB). Do I have to do anything about Medicare?
- I am a veteran with health care coverage from the VA system. How does this work with Medicare? Do I need Medicare as well?
- I am enrolled in a health benefit program through my federal retirement. I also have TRICARE (formerly CHAMPUS) as my secondary insurance. Do both these coverages drop when I become eligible for Medicare?
- I am retiring from the military and I will become eligible for health coverage under the TRICARE For Life program. How does this fit in with Medicare? And how does it affect my spouse?
- I declined enrolling in Medicare Part B when I turned 65. I am now 67. Can I still enroll in Part B?
- I did not enroll in Medicare when I turned 65 and was first eligible. Can I sign up later?
- I did not sign up for Medicare Part B when I first became eligible. Will there be any consequences of that decision if I later decide to enroll?
- I did not sign up for Part D prescription drug coverage when I was first eligible. If I want to sign up now, is there a penalty?
- I get my prescriptions filled through the VA. Do I need Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage as well?
- I have Original Medicare. What are the costs for Part B?
- I have a Medicare Advantage plan. Do I still need Medigap insurance?
- I have been receiving health care through Medicaid. Will I lose this coverage when I become eligible for Medicare?
- I have original Medicare (Parts A and B). Do I also have to enroll separately in Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage?
- I heard that you can get help paying the costs of Medicare if you have a limited income. Is this true?
- I receive health insurance from my domestic partner’s employer. Can I delay Part B enrollment after I become eligible for Medicare, without risking late penalties?
- I think I am going to continue to spend a lot on drugs even after the doughnut hole closes. Will there still be catastrophic coverage even after the doughnut hole closes in 2020?
- I turn 65 in a few months. When should I sign up for Medicare?
- I want to be sure I understand the Part D “doughnut hole” or coverage gap. Could you tell me how it works?
- I will be retiring soon from my job in the federal government. I will continue to receive good health coverage from the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHB). So do I need Medicare Part B?
- I will continue to work after turning 65. My employer’s health insurance is a high-deductible health plan paired with a health savings account. How would this fit in with Medicare?
- I will not retire until age 70. Do I still have to sign up for Medicare at age 65?
- I will soon retire and I’ll be eligible for three types of health insurance: TRICARE For Life due to my service in the military; retiree benefits from my current employer; and Medicare. How will these work together?
- If I am satisfied with my current Medicare coverage, do I need to make any changes during Medicare’s open enrollment period?
- If I am unhappy with my Medicare Advantage plan can I switch plans?
- If I am unhappy with my Medicare Advantage plan, can I switch plans?
- If I apply for the Extra Help with Medicare prescription drug costs and am approved, will I be automatically enrolled in a Medicare prescription drug plan?
- If I change my Medicare Part D plan during Medicare's open enrollment (between Oct. 15 and Dec. 7), when will my new coverage start?
- If I drop my Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage during open enrollment, can I pick it up in the future without a penalty?
- If I have Medicare, can I get a colonoscopy with no cost to me?
- If I have TRICARE, do I need to have Part D?
- If I have a Medicare Advantage plan, can I switch to original Medicare during open enrollment?
- If I have a Medigap policy and cancel it, can I get it back during open enrollment?
- If I move out of my Part D drug plan’s service area in the middle of the year, when can I switch to another plan? Or must I wait for Medicare’s open enrollment period in the fall?
- If I retire at age 62, will I be eligible for Medicare?
- If I switch from original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage plan, can I keep my Medigap supplemental insurance policy?
- Is Medigap and Medicare Supplemental Insurance the same thing?
- Is enrollment in a Medicare Advantage plan automatic or do I need to enroll directly with the plan?
- Is it just prescription drug costs that count toward reaching the doughnut hole or all medical costs?
- Is my doctor required to file my Medicare claims or do I file claims with Medicare directly?
- Is my doctor required to file my Medicare claims or do I file them with Medicare directly?
- Is there a deductible for Medicare Part A? If so, how much is the deductible?
- Is there a limit on the number or type of prescription drugs a Medicare Part D drug plan will cover in a given year?
- Is there a time limit when I can sign up for Extra Help with Medicare prescription drug plan costs?
- Is there anyone I can go to for personal help in choosing a Medicare plan or to resolve other issues with Medicare — even if I have to pay for assistance?
- I’m 65 and my wife is 63. When will she qualify for Medicare?
- I’m about to lose health insurance from my employer. How soon must I sign up for Part D prescription drug coverage to avoid being hit with late penalties?
- I’m about to retire. My employer has offered me 18 months of COBRA coverage. Can I delay signing up for Medicare until the COBRA runs out?
- I’m retired and receive comprehensive health insurance from a former employer. Do I need to sign up for Medicare Part B when I turn 65?
- Medicare Eligibility and Enrollment
- My Medicare Part D drug plan won’t cover my drug, although it’s on the plan’s list of covered drugs. Why is this happening?
- My doctor told me he doesn’t accept assignment. Can you explain what this means?
- The Driving Parts of Medicare
- Types of Medicare Plans
- Understanding Medicare
- What actions can I take during Medicare open enrollment each year?
- What are Medicare Advantage plans?
- What are my options if my Medicare Advantage plan is ending at the end of this year?
- What are the basic rights and responsibilities of people with Medicare?
- What are the costs for Medicare Part D?
- What are the different parts of Medicare?
- What are the income and resource limits for the Extra Help with Medicare prescription drug costs?
- What does Medicare generally cost?
- What does it mean when doctors “opt out” of Medicare?
- What if I have prescription drug coverage from a current or former employer? Can I keep it or will Medicare make me drop it and enroll in a Part D drug plan?
- What is Medicare Advantage?
- What is Medicare Part A?
- What is Medicare Part B?
- What is Medicare Part D?
- What is Medicare?
- What is Medigap (Medicare Supplemental) insurance?
- What is Original Medicare?
- What is a copayment?
- What is a deductible?
- What is a formulary?
- What is a premium?
- What is coinsurance?
- What is the annual wellness visit?
- What is the difference between Medicare and Medicaid?
- What is the premium for Medicare Part A?
- What is the premium for Medicare Part B?
- What is the “Welcome to Medicare” checkup?
- What medical equipment and supplies does Medicare cover?
- What options do I have for paying my Medicare Part D drug plan premiums?
- What services are not covered under Medicare Part A
- What services are not covered under Medicare Part B?
- What's the important factor in buying Medigap coverage?
- When can I join a Medicare Part D prescription drug plan?
- When do I qualify for Medicare?
- When do premiums and other costs change?
- When does the doughnut hole go away?
- When is the best time to buy a Medicare Supplement insurance policy?
- Where can I find answers to my Medicare questions?
- Where do I find information about the different Medicare Advantage plans in my area?
- Which preventive services does Medicare cover free of charge?
- Which tax year will Social Security use to determine my income-related Part B and Part D premiums?
- Who can buy Medigap policies?
- Who can delay Medicare Part B enrollment beyond age 65 without getting hit with late penalties?
- Whom do I contact to report Medicare fraud
- Will I be able to sign up for more than one Medicare Part D prescription drug plan?
- Will I be eligible to buy a Medigap policy if I have a preexisting medical condition?
- Will Medicare cover me if I travel outside the United States?
- Will Medicare pay for a yearly physical examination?
- Will Medicare pay for my flu shot?
- Will Medicare pay for services to help me stop smoking?
- Will my Medicare Part D prescription drug plan notify me if its list of covered drugs (formulary) changes?
- Will my Medicare Prescription Drug Plan notify me if its list of covered drugs (formulary) changes?
- Will my Part D premiums increase because of my income?