Essential Tips Caregivers Must Know About Medicare

Key takeaways

• Begin by submitting Medicare’s authorization form, as recommended by Tricia Sandiego, to access your loved one’s information.
• Create an online Medicare account and review the Medicare & You handbook for up-to-date guidance and resources.
• Explore expanded caregiver benefits, like dementia support and free preventive services, to maximize available Medicare help.

Summary

Navigating Medicare as a caregiver can feel overwhelming, but understanding Medicare basics is essential for supporting your loved one’s health and finances. Medicare expert Tricia Sandiego recommends starting with the Authorization to Disclose Personal Health Information — a simple form that lets you speak directly with Medicare about your loved one’s coverage. She also stresses the importance of setting up an online Medicare account and reading the Medicare & You handbook, which provides clear guidance on everything from preventive care to accessing caregiver resources like respite care and skills training.

Medicare offers more help than many realize, including new dementia support programs, expanded eligibility for Medicare Savings Programs, and free preventive services like wellness visits and vaccines under Medicare Part B. As a caregiver, you don’t have to handle these challenges alone — every state has a Health Insurance Assistance Program offering free, expert guidance. Taking these steps ensures you’re getting the support you deserve and helps lower health care costs for your family.

The key takeaways and summary were created with the assistance of generative AI. An AARP editor reviewed and refined the content for accuracy and clarity.

Full Transcript:

[00:00:00] Being a caregiver is already a lot. Some days it might feel like you’re lost in a health care maze, and now

[00:00:07] you need to figure out insurance. It can be challenging and emotional. The good news is that help is available. Me.

[00:00:15] I’m Trisha Sandiego. It’s my job at AARP to help understand the programs within Medicare.

[00:00:22] Let’s take a look at some essential tips caregivers must know about Medicare. There are nearly 48 million unpaid caregivers in the U.S., so if you are one

[00:00:33] of them, know that you are not alone. An important initial step on your caregiving journey is to make sure the

[00:00:39] person you are caring for has completed something called the Authorization to Disclose Personal Health Information.

[00:00:46] Medicare won’t be able to share information with you until that’s in place. Next, encourage your loved one to set up an online Medicare account at Medicare.gov.

[00:00:57] This resource helps you track claims and costs in real time, making it easier to spot any issues.

[00:01:04] It may not exactly be light reading, but get familiar with the Medicare & You handbook, available online at Medicare.gov.

[00:01:12] The guide includes valuable information on caregiver resources for things like respite care, which gives caregivers downtime for a couple

[00:01:19] days or even a couple weeks, and skills training for caregivers. If you are caring for a loved one with dementia, you’ll wanna check

[00:01:27] out a new program launched in July of 2024 by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services called Guiding an Improved Dementia Experience. or GUIDE.

[00:01:38] Its goal is to provide much needed support for those with the disease and their caregivers. It includes a 24/7 helpline and information on caregiver education.

[00:01:50] If you are one of the millions of unpaid caregivers in this country, you likely know out-of-pocket costs on things like in-home care and medical equipment

[00:01:59] are now averaging $7,200 a year. Fortunately, there are programs in place to reduce the cost burden.

[00:02:07] Look into Medicare Savings Programs and the Extra Help program. Get the support where you can.

[00:02:13] Recent changes have expanded eligibility, so check to see if your loved one qualifies. There are also many free preventive care services. That's right:free.

[00:02:24] For example, wellness visits and vaccines for conditions like shingles and RSV are covered under Medicare Part B. Finally, don’t be shy.

[00:02:34] Ask for help. Navigating Medicare as a caregiver is challenging, but you don’t have to do it alone.

[00:02:41] Each state has a State Health Insurance Assistance Program for free one-on-one assistance.

[00:02:47] You can also call Medicare at 800 MEDICARE or the Medicare Rights Center for guidance.

[00:02:53] For more detailed information about eligibility and coverage, visit aarp.org/medicare and subscribe to our YouTube channel to stay informed on the

[00:03:02] latest health care updates from AARP.