Medicare Website - Medicare .gov

The official Medicare website is www.medicare,gov. It offers information about the Medicare program in a user friendly format – but it isn’t the only place that you should go to obtain information. The Medicare website should be viewed as a starting place that allows you online access to hundreds of publications the opportunity to order a hard copy, or the opportunity to look up ratings for nursing homes, hospitals and home health agencies.

While the Medicare website is a good place to perform research about healthcare facilities, it doesn’t go far enough. The overall five-star rating is awarded in comparison to other nursing homes in the area, so a nursing home that rated below standard on the annual inspection can still be rated an overall “above average.” This is why it’s important to do your research. Checking with state and local agencies can alert you to problems that haven’t yet been posted on the Medicare website.

The Medicare website also offers information about the specific Part C Advantage plans and Medigap policies available in your area. This is the best way to obtain information about potential providers because the information is easily understood and there’s no high pressure sales tactics; if you were to speak with an insurance agent it’s possible that he will steer you toward the provider that pays him the highest commission. By reviewing the information on the Medicare site you’ll have the time to consider your options and make an informed choice about which plan will best meet your needs. It’s important to understand that whether you call the plan provider directly or go through a local insurance agent, a commission will be paid. You won’t receive any discount in the cost of your premiums by calling the number listed on the Medicare website – but you will forego any high pressure sales tactics as you compare the plans available in your area.

The website also offers a comparison of Part D prescription providers in your area. Because each plan has its own formulary, the website allows you to enter your drug information directly into the computer and searches for the insurance plan that covers all or most of your medications. Once you sign onto service with a specific plan, there are rules about the medications they cover and the plan’s inability to stop covering your medication without offering you any options.

The website offers you the opportunity to look up answers to your questions about the Medicare program and to obtain all sorts of information. There are local agencies, usually offered through an Area Agency on Aging (AAA), that offer volunteers who answer questions, but these volunteers often don’t have the answers that you’ll need and will refer to the Medicare website in order to help you.

Once you’ve reviewed the information about a healthcare facility on the Medicare website, it’s best to access the Area Agency on Aging website for your state to obtain additional information. While many states don’t post actual inspection results online, these sites still provide information about what’s available in your area and how to access services. For those states that don’t offer the inspection results online, there is always a telephone number available to contact the appropriate agency so that the information can be mailed to you in a timely manner.