Thinking about how to get a better deal on your health insurance? There’s a lot to consider. Let me help you sort out your options . . . and help you with your decisions.

Medicare does not cover routine dental care or most dental procedures such as cleanings, fillings, tooth extractions or dentures. In rare cases, Medicare Part B will pay for certain dental services. In addition, Medicare Part A will pay for certain dental services that you get when you are in the hospital. Ask your provider for information regarding your specific procedure. Some Medicare health plans may offer additional dental coverage. Plans that include dental coverage are available at http://healthinsurancepricing.com

Questions about whether or not Medicare covers mammograms – here is the answer regarding the basic coverage:

Medicare covers screening mammograms once every 12 months for all women with Medicare age 40 and older. Medicare covers one baseline mammogram for women between ages 35–39.

As we strive to stop Medicare fraud in its tracks, here are some useful tips for you to stop Medicare fraud in your own home:

• Guard your Medicare and Social Security numbers. Treat them like you would treat your credit cards.
• Be suspicious of anyone who offers you free medical equipment or services and then requests your Medicare number. If it’s free, they don’t need your number!
• Do not let anyone borrow or pay to use your Medicare ID card or your identity. It’s illegal, and it’s not worth it!

Although there are several situations that a person can become eligible for Medicare I am going to focus on people turning 65 and older.

     Most people who are already getting benefits for Social Security or the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) will automatically be enrolled in Part A and B. If you’re automatically enrolled, you’ll get your red, white, and blue Medicare card in the mail 3 months before your 65th birthday.

     You might want to sign up for Parts A and B if you are not getting your Social Security or the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) benefits.

     You’re first eligible to sign up for Medicare Part A and/or Part B during a 7-month period that known as the Initial Enrollment Period beginning 3 months before the month you turn 65, it includes the month you turn 65, and ends 3 months after the month you turn 65. So if your birthday is in May you may sign up as early as February (3 month’s before your birthday month) and up trough the 3rd month following your birthday in this example August.

    If you sign up for Part A and/or Part B during the first 3 months of your Initial Enrollment Period, your coverage starts the first day of your birthday month, unless your birthday is on the first day of the month.

     Example: Bill’s 65th birthday is July 20, 2012. If he signs up for Medicare in April, May, or June, his coverage will start on July 1, 2012.

     If your birthday is on the first day of the month, your coverage starts the first day of the prior month. Example: Kim’s 65th birthday is July 1, 2012. If she signs up for Medicare in March, April, or May, her coverage will start on June 1, 2012.

     You can Sign Up for Medicare Parts A & B by;

1. Apply online at Social Security

2. Visit your local Social Security Office

3. Call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778)

4. If you worked for a railroad, call the RRB at 1-877-772-5772

     If you are still working and covered under your employer’s group health plan, you can delay signing up until your employment or group employment coverage ends. You will have a 8- month Special Enrollment Period to sign up for Part A and/or Part B that starts the month after the employment ends or the group health plan insurance based on current employment ends, whichever happens first.

     Tomorrow – What happens if I sign up late?

     If you’re like me, you’re looking in the mirror and trying to figure out where all the years went. I don’t look or feel like a “senior citizen” yet I’m going to be eligible for Medicare.

     Some of us have had insurance coverage through our employer and only had to choose our insurance from the one or if you were lucky you had a choice of a few plans. Now you’re faced with the daunting experience of navigating the confusing world of Medicare, enrollment periods all it’s parts A, B, C and D, late enrollment penalties, and supplement plans.

     As the song goes “Don’t worry be happy”.  For most of us we have been contributing to our Medicare coverage our entire working life through the Medicare payroll deduction. What we get for that will be “Original Medicare made up of Part A and Part B.

     Part A is coverage for hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, hospice and some home health care. Usually is Premium free if you or your spouse has been contributing through payroll deduction.

     We will have to pay a premium for Part B. Part B is coverage for doctors and other health care provider services, outpatient care, durable medical equipment, occupational and physical therapy, and some preventive services. The standard monthly premium in 2012 is $99.90. Some will pay a higher premium based on their individual modified adjusted gross income. The monthly premiums that include income-related adjustments for 2012 will be $139.90, $199.80, $259.70, or $319.70, depending on the extent to which your individual modified adjusted gross income exceeds $85,000 (or $170,000 for a married couple). The highest premium rate applies to individuals whose incomes exceed $214,000 (or $428,000 for a married couple).

     Great – you now have a 5000 foot view of what you get and what it cost. Tomorrow I’ll let you know when your eligible, if and how you have to apply.

With baby boomers turning 65, including myself, there are a number of important facts to learn about Medicare, Medicare Supplements, Advantage Plans and Medicare Part D. Over the next several days I will post some very interesting and cost saving information that we all need to understand about Medicare.