Medicare

I lost my Medicare card. How do I get a new one? If you lose your card, contact your local Social Security office at 1-800-Medicare or visit the Medicare website immediately to get a new one. Please protect your Medicare card just as you would a credit card. Your Medicare card in the wrong hands can be used to submit fraudulent claims. Medicare Website Social Security Administration I recently moved to another state. How do I update my address with Medicare? To protect you and ensure your receipt of your benefits, please let your Social Security office know that your address has changed. The number for the Social Security Administration is 1-800-772-1213. Does Medicare Part B pay for prescription drugs? Currently, Medicare does not include a prescription drug benefit. However, if coverage guidelines are met, Medicare allows payment for some immunosuppressive, oral, anti-emetic and nebulizer drugs. The Benefits Improvement and Protection Act of 2000 requires Medicare suppliers to accept assignment on Medicare-covered drugs. Although I am able to walk, I have a difficult time walking long distances. Would Medicare allow payment for a wheelchair or Power Operated Vehicle (POV)? Medicare wheelchair and POV coverage guidelines indicate that in order to allow payment for a wheelchair, a person with Medicare must be bed or chair-confined without the use of a wheelchair. Furthermore in terms of POV all of the following criteria must be met: You require a wheelchair to maneuver in your home; You cannot operate a manual wheelchair; You can safely operate the controls of a POV; You can transfer safely to and from a POV and have adequate trunk stability to safely ride in a POV You need a prescription from your physician prior to purchasing the POV, and the physician and supplier must complete a Certificate of Medical Necessity (CMN). If you would like my help with a Medicare issue, please fill out this Authorization Form so my office and I can begin to advocate on your behalf. If you have any questions, feel free to call my Holland Office at (616) 251-6741.