Medicare Guide

Mastering Medicare isn't easy, even for the first generation of computer-friendly retirees. The federal health plan for the elderly and disabled is riddled with complexities and contradictions, enough to spawn a subspecialty of attorneys. Deductibles. Co-insurance. Non-preferred brand-name drug tiers. Medicare Advantage vs. Medigap. Excess fees. And that's just Medicare 101. But it's vitally important to grasp the basics in order to make smart decisions about coverage. Here's a primer.

What is Medicare and what does it cover?	How to sign up for Medicare
Am I eligible for Medicare?	How much does Medicare cost?
How and when do I sign up for Medicare?

Now that you have the background, crunch the details. Answer the following questions and you will go a long way to finding the best Medicare coverage for you.

Do you have coverage from any other source?	I'm leaning toward Medicare Advantage. How do they work?
Are you eligible for financial assistance?	How do I sign up for Medicare Advantage?
Traditional Medicare vs. an HMO-style plan?	I prefer traditional Medicare with a drug plan. How do I pick one?
Should I sign up for Medicare drug coverage?	How do I sign up for a drug plan?
How does the Medicare drug plan work?	What about Medicare plus a Medigap policy?

Information written and compiled by Sun Sentinel Health writer Bob LaMendola. For questions about this guide, contact Bob LaMendola at blamendola@SunSentinel.com or 954-356-4526. Acknowledgements: Medicare, Kaiser Family Foundation, Florida SHINE (Serving the Health Insurance Needs of Elders), Medicare Rights Center, Center for Medicare Advocacy.

Health care reform

Databases: Medicare health plans

Here are some highlights of Medicare health plans including HMOs and PPOs, as well as drug-only plans.

• Overview | Tips
• South Florida Drug & Health Plans
• Central Florida Drug & Health Plans

In-depth look

Health Care and Medicare News
From the Web

More Kids Have Health Coverage - HealthCare Notes
Stat of the Week: Do You Know What's in the Health Care Reform Law? - The Scan From Kaiser's Health Reform Source
Health Affairs Article Probes Implications of Income Volatility in Medicaid and Exchanges - The Scan From Kaiser's Health Reform Source
Helping States Keep People Covered, Reduce Costs - HealthCare Notes
Pop Quiz: Assessing Americans’ Familiarity with the Health Care Law - The Scan From Kaiser's Health Reform Source
Study Examines Accountable Care Organization Models - The Scan From Kaiser's Health Reform Source
Brief Explores Health Insurance Governance Options - The Scan From Kaiser's Health Reform Source
Toolkit for Policymakers Offers Recommendations for the Health Insurance Exchanges - The Scan From Kaiser's Health Reform Source
Florida District Court Rules Individual Mandate “Unconstitutional;” Argues Entire Law Must be Voided - The Scan From Kaiser's Health Reform Source
Booz & Company Report Reviews Future of Employer-Sponsored Insurance - The Scan From Kaiser's Health Reform Source
HHS Report Explores Health Reform and Insurance Premiums - The Scan From Kaiser's Health Reform Source
This Week in Polling: Next Steps for Congress on Health Care - The Scan From Kaiser's Health Reform Source
Stat of the Week: Health Care Costs and the American Public - The Scan From Kaiser's Health Reform Source
Saving Money for Families and Small Businesses - HealthCare Notes
KFF Brief Addresses the Health Home Option Under Medicaid - The Scan From Kaiser's Health Reform Source
Open for Questions - HealthCare Notes
Helping Americans Keep the Coverage They Have and Promoting Transparency - HealthCare Notes
Milliman Article Examines Accountable Care Organizations and Patient Responsibility - The Scan From Kaiser's Health Reform Source
Analysis Finds Erosion of Employer-Sponsored Health Insurance Under Reform Is Unlikely - The Scan From Kaiser's Health Reform Source
Alliance Briefing Looks at Baby Boomers and Health Care Reform - The Scan From Kaiser's Health Reform Source

Medicare Guide

What is Medicare and what does it cover?

How to sign up for Medicare

Am I eligible for Medicare?

How much does Medicare cost?

How and when do I sign up for Medicare?

Do you have coverage from any other source?

I'm leaning toward Medicare Advantage. How do they work?

Are you eligible for financial assistance?

How do I sign up for Medicare Advantage?

Traditional Medicare vs. an HMO-style plan?

I prefer traditional Medicare with a drug plan. How do I pick one?

Should I sign up for Medicare drug coverage?

How do I sign up for a drug plan?

How does the Medicare drug plan work?

What about Medicare plus a Medigap policy?

By The Numbers

Medicare by the numbers

Medicare Advantage plans with the largest enrollment

Prescription drug plans with the largest enrollments

Health care reform

Databases: Medicare health plans

In-depth look

Chart: Health care spending and coverage

Kaiser Family Foundation

Medical Bills

Health Care and Medicare News
From the Web

Medicare Guide

By The Numbers

Health care reform

Databases: Medicare health plans

In-depth look

Health Care and Medicare News From the Web

Health Care and Medicare News
From the Web