CMS U.S. Centers for Medicare - Medicare & You Handbook 2020

Were improving and modernizing the way you get Medicare information. The goal is to provide a seamless and transparent experience to help you get the information you need to make good health care choices. Were working to update the Medicare resources you already know and trust, and building new ones to work with the technology you use every day.

Get improved help with your Medicare choices

Weve made it easier to find health and drug coverage that works for you. You can compare ways to get your Medicare coverage and explore how different plans work together. You can also shop and compare plans to find ones that meet your needs. Visit Medicare.gov/plan-compare .

Find out whats covered

The Whats covered mobile app delivers reliable (Original Medicare) Part A and Part B coverage information right on your mobile device. You can download it for free on both the App Store and Google Play.

See estimated costs of outpatient procedures

Compare national average prices for certain procedures performed in both hospital outpatient departments and ambulatory surgical centers. Visit Medicare.gov/procedure-price-lookup .

Get easier access to your personal Medicare information

Weve improved MyMedicare.gov to make it easier to find what you need. We added new features, like the ability to print an official copy of your Medicare card. We also connected MyMedicare.gov to Blue Button 2.0a secure data connection that lets you share your health information with a growing number of mobile apps, third party applications, health-related services, and research programs.

Coming soon Easily find and compare quality information

Quality information about Medicare-participating doctors, hospitals, nursing homes, dialysis facilities, and other care providers will soon be available in one easy-to-use place. Compare quality ratings, cost information, and other details to help you choose whats best for you. Coming in late 2019 to Medicare.gov .

To stay on top of eMedicare improvements and other important news from Medicare, sign up to get email updates at Medicare.gov .

Get started

If youre new to Medicare:

• Learn about your Medicare choices. There are 2 main ways to get your Medicare coverageOriginal Medicare and Medicare Advantage. See the next few pages to learn more.
• Find out how and when you can sign up. If you dont have Medicare Part A or Part B, see . There may be penalties if you dont sign up when youre first eligible.
• If you have other health insurance , see to find out how it works with Medicare.

If you already have Medicare:

• You dont need to sign up for Medicare each year. However, you should review your Medicare health and prescription drug coverage and make changes if it no longer meets your needs or if you could lower your out-of-pocket expenses.
• Mark your calendar with these important dates! This may be the only chance you have each year to make changes to your coverage.

October 1, 2019	Start comparing your current coverage with other options. You may be able to save money. Visit Medicare.gov/ plan-compare .
October 15 to December 7, 2019	Change your Medicare health or prescription drug coverage for 2020, if you decide to. This includes returning to Original Medicare or joining a Medicare Advantage Plan.
January 1, 2020	New coverage begins if you made a change. If you kept your existing coverage and your plans costs or benefits changed, those changes will also start on this date.
January 1 to March 31, 2020	If youre in a Medicare Advantage Plan , you can make a change to a different Medicare Advantage Plan or switch back to Original Medicare (and join a stand-alone Medicare Prescription Drug Plan) once during this time. Any changes you make will be effective the first of the month after the plan gets your request. See .

The next pages provide an overview of your Medicare options.

What are the parts of Medicare?

Part A (Hospital Insurance)

Helps cover:

• Inpatient care in hospitals
• Skilled nursing facility care
• Hospice care
• Home health care

Part B (Medical Insurance)

Helps cover:

• Services from doctors and other health care providers
• Outpatient care
• Home health care
• Durable medical equipment (like wheelchairs, walkers, hospital beds, and other equipment)
• Many preventive services (like screenings, shots or vaccines, and yearly Wellness visits)

Part D (Prescription drug coverage)

Helps cover:

• Cost of prescription drugs (including many recommended shots or vaccines)

Part D plans are run by private insurance companies that follow rules set by Medicare.

Your Medicare options

When you first enroll in Medicare and during certain times of the year, you can choose how you get your Medicare coverage. There are 2 main ways to get Medicare:

Original Medicare Original Medicare includes Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance) and Part B (Medical Insurance). If you want drug coverage, you can join a separate Part D plan. To help pay your out-of-pocket costs in Original Medicare (like your 20% coinsurance), you can also shop for and buy supplemental coverage. Can use any doctor or hospital that takes Medicare, anywhere in the U.S.

Medicare Advantage (also known as Part C) Medicare Advantage is an all in one alternative to Original Medicare. These bundled plans include Part A, Part B, and usually Part D. Plans may have lower out-of-pocket costs than Original Medicare. In most cases, youll need to use doctors who are in the plans network. Most plans offer extra benefits that Original Medicare doesnt cover like vision, hearing, dental, and more.

Part A

Part A