Nebraska Department of Insurance

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THE NEBRASKA HEALTH INSURANCE INFORMATION, COUNSELING, AND ASSISTANCE (NICA) PROGRAM

DECEMBER 1999 NICA NEWS

THIS AND THAT

MEDICARE NEWS

MEDICARE BENEFICIARIES TO RECEIVE MEDICARE & YOU 2000 HANDBOOK

More than 32 million copies of the Medicare & You 2000 handbook are being mailed to Medicare beneficiaries' homes this month as part of the Medicare & You campaign, the largest nationwide information program which was designed to help Medicare beneficiaries in making informed decisions about their health care coverage. The campaign includes quality-of-care reports for managed care plans and opportunities for information feedback, as well as comprehensive background on Medicare benefits and options.

New to the Medicare program for the year 2000 is:

coverage for prostate cancer screening;
the Medicare Choices Helpline,
1-800-MEDICARE
(1-800-633-4227);
updated patient satisfaction and plan performance measures available in the handbook, on www.medicare.gov.
and through 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227); and an Internet-based calendar of informational activities in communities across the nation available at www.medicare.gov.

"It's important for the more than 39 million older and disabled Americans who are covered by Medicare to learn more about the original Medicare plan, managed care plans that are available in their community and preventive benefits that are now covered by Medicare," said Health and Human Services Secretary Donna E. Shalala. "That's why we are conducting the largest Medicare information campaign ever."

The Medicare & You information program was mandated by Congress in the Balanced Budget Act of 1997 and is being conducted by the Health Care Financing Administration, the federal agency that runs Medicare. The full information program includes the Medicare & You 2000 handbook; a nationwide toll-free telephone line, 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227); a beneficiary Internet site, www.medicare.gov; local and national activities in partnership with organizations that work with Medicare beneficiaries; and an ongoing assessment. "Medicare beneficiaries will be able to get the most up-to-date and reliable information ever about their Medicare this fall," said HCFA Deputy Administrator Michael Hash. "The mailing of the Medicare & You 2000 handbook, and the updated plan information available at www.medicare.gov and through 1-800-MEDICARE will help them make more informed decisions about their health care."

MORE NEW LITERATURE

In addition to the Medicare & You 2000 handbook, several new publications are available. Included with this mailing is the new Medicare Hospice Benefits brochure, the Medicare Preventive Services pamphlet, the Medicare Supplemental Insurance (Medigap) Policies and Protections booklet, and the When You Can't Afford Your Medicine . . . pamphlet which explains The Medicine Program. All of these new publications are available to assist our NICA Volunteers with their counseling work. Please let Rebecca know (at 402-471-3845), if we can send you additional copies.

HOT MEALS PACKETS

In November, NICA sent out 4,350 litter bags filled with Medicare informa-tion to homebound Nebraskans who receive hot meals. Recipients would not have access to this information through their senior centers, so with the help of Area Agencies on Aging and volunteers who deliver hot meals to the elderly, NICA was able to deliver thousands of packets around Nebraska with valuable information. Thank you to everyone who helped, requested packets, delivered packets, or volunteered in some way to get this important information to beneficiaries.

Medicare/Medicaid Programs

NICA Program Specialist, Rebecca Hasty, recently attended the "Dual Eligibility" conference in Chicago. Dually eligible beneficiaries are low-income senior citizens and disabled individuals who should have their Medicare premiums subsidized by the buy-in program. Statistics show that in 1998 as many as 39,000 Nebraskans may have been eligible for the buy-in program, but instead, were paying for their Medicare Part B premiums through deductions in their Social Security checks. More than half of the people who can get this money never even apply for it. NICA volunteers can help by sharing information with every beneficiary who seeks assistance. Individuals with monthly incomes of less than $707 and savings of $4,000 or less or couples with monthly incomes of less than $942 and savings of $6,000 or less may qualify. It is important to encourage the recipients to call the Social Services office in your area to inquire about these programs, or call 1-800 Medicare (1-800-633-4227), TTY/TDD 1-877-486-2048, and ask for information on Savings for Medicare Beneficiaries.