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Get the most out of Medicare Get help choosing the coverage option that’s right for you • Get free, personalized counseling from your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP)—See pages 117–120 for the phone number. A trusted agent or broker may also be able to help. • Call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). TTY users can call 1-877-486-2048. • Find and compare health and drug plans at Medicare.gov/plan-compare.
Get the most value out of your health care
We want to make sure you have the information you need to make the best decisions throughout this book to learn about costs and about your health care. Look for coverage for services.
Get free help with your Medicare questions
For general Medicare questions, visit Medicare.gov or call 1-800-MEDICARE. See pages 109–116 to learn about other resources.
Get preventive services
Medicare covers many preventive services at no cost to you. Ask your doctor or other health care provider which preventive services (like screenings, shots or vaccines, and yearly “Wellness” visits) you need. See pages 30–54 and look for learn more about which preventive services Medicare covers.
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Get help paying for health care
There are multiple programs available to help with costs. Many people with Medicare qualify. For information on these programs, see pages 91–96.
Get mental health & substance use disorder services
Medicare covers certain screenings, services, and programs that aid in the treatment and recovery of mental health and substance use disorders: • Alcohol misuse screening: • Reviews with your provider, if you See page 31. have a prescription for opioids: See page 53. • Behavioral health integration services (to manage conditions like depression • Telehealth: See page 50. or anxiety): See page 32. • Medication (coverage rules): • Counseling to prevent tobacco use & See page 86. tobacco-caused disease: See page 36. • Prescription safety checks: See page 86. • Depression screening: See page 38. • Mental health care: See page 46. • Drug management programs: See page 86. • Opioid use disorder treatment services: See page 47. • Important tips if you’re prescribed opioids: See page 87.
Go paperless
Help save tax dollars and paper by switching to the electronic version of this handbook. You’ll stop getting a paper copy each fall. Visit Medicare.gov/gopaperless, or log into (or create) your secure Medicare account online at Medicare.gov to switch to the electronic handbook.
