Get the Most Out of Medicare in 2008

Virtually everyone would agree that good health is one of the most important parts of life. If you're one of the millions of Americans on Medicare, your benefits can help you live a fuller, more healthy life by ensuring you receive the treatment you need when you're ill as well as the preventive services that can keep you going strong.

Now that the holidays are over and we're a couple of months into the new year, it's a good time to review your Medicare benefits to ensure you get the most out of your coverage in 2008. The following tips can help you get started.

1. New to Medicare? Make a "To Do" list.
The official U.S Government site for people with Medicare recommends that anyone new to Medicare make up a "to do" list. Completing the items on your list can help ensure that you understand your benefits and you maximize all that your coverage can do for you.

Your medical professional or a trusted family member or friend can help you make up your "to do" list. To get you started, below are a couple of items your list should include:

* Download a copy of Medicare & You 2008 from the Medicare website.

* Check to make sure you've received a password and instructions to access the site and if you haven't logged in already, go for it and look around. The site contains a lot of helpful information to get you oriented.

2. Talk to your healthcare professional regularly, particularly at the beginning of new coverage. New Medicare recipients should get a "Welcome to Medicare" physical exam within the first 6 months of your new coverage. However, everyone should see their healthcare professional regularly. Make sure you talk to your doctor about which preventive services you should get this year. Some of the preventive services covered by Medicare that your doctor may recommend include:

* Diabetes screenings
* Flu shots
* Bone mass measurement
* Mammograms
* Nutrition therapy services
* Glaucoma tests

3. Make sure you understand what coverage you have and what it means. Even after you've completed enrollment, you might still have questions about what programs you're actually enrolled in and what they mean. It's important to review all of the information you receive about your benefits. If you still have questions, help is available:

* Your local State Health Insurance Counseling and Assistance Program (SHIP) provides counselors to help answer your questions, understand your rights, and choose a Medicare plan or supplemental health insurance.

* 1-800-Medicare is a toll-free hotline that addresses questions about benefits, prescription drug coverage, billing, and more.

* The Federal Government's Social Security web site also contains a listing of places to get information and assistance with understanding Medicare benefits and coverage. Visit the website to see their listing, or call the offices at 1-800-772-1213 for more information.