Resources
Fact sheets:
- Original Medicare: An Overview (A-003)
- Medicare Assignment and Costs (A-004)
- 2008 Premiums, Co-insurance & Deductibles (Original Fee-for-Service Medicare) (A-005)
- Fraud and Abuse (A-007)
- Medicare Enrollment Periods (A-008)
Websites and other resources:
Area Agencies on Aging (AAA)
California AAA's: c4a.info; 1-800-510-2020
Local aging issues and resources to community-based services and agencies serving older adults.
California Department of Aging
Sacramento: 916-322-3887
Information on aging and disability issues and demographics, senior legal resources, consumer resources.
California Medicare News
Variety of current articles on Medicare-related topics.
Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program (HICAP)
1-800-434-0222
Free counseling about Medicare, Medigap policies, Medicare Advantage (formerly known as Medicare+Choice) plans, filing an appeal, or long-term care insurance.
Medicare
1-800-MEDICARE (633-4227)
Information on Medicare; Medigap policies; Medicare Advantage (formerly known as Medicare+Choice) plan options; prescription drug assistance programs; nursing homes and home health care; and other Medicare-related issues.
Medicare Fraud
1-800-MEDICARE (633-4227)
Overview on Medicare fraud, prevention tips, and how to report fraud. Also links to Medicare publications on fraud and abuse.
National Council on Aging: Online Screening Service
Online screening service that checks older adults' eligibility for various public and private benefit programs in all 50 states. Programs include those for prescription drugs (and screening for Part D low-income subsidy), nutrition (such as food stamps), legal services, energy assistance, in-home services, tax assistance, transportation, and more.
National Heritage Insurance Company (NHIC)
1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227)
Processes Medicare Part B claims; answers questions about services and claims; reports fraud and abuse. Website provides a list of California doctors and suppliers that accept assignment for all Medicare patients. To reach NHIC, you must call Medicare’s hotline 1-800-MEDICARE and leave a message with the Medicare customer service representative to have someone from NHIC contact you.
Office of Inspector General
1-800-HHS-TIPS (447-8477)
Medicare fraud; reporting complaints or fraud and abuse in the Medicare program.
State Health Insurance Assistance Programs (SHIPs)
Provides contact information for each state's SHIP.
Senior Medicare Patrol Project (SMP)
California's SMP office: 714-560-0309
To speak to a California SMP counselor in your county: 1-800-434-0222
Provides contact information on each state's SMP project, education and advocacy on how to recognize, report and protect yourself from Medicare fraud and abuse.
Social Security Administration (SSA)
1-800-772-1213
Covers Medicare eligibility; Social Security benefits; change of address for Medicare or Social Security; lost Medicare card replacements.
Page updated May 22, 2008