Important info. Medicare & Digital TV

http://bulletin.aarp.org/yourhealth/medicare/articles/
Now is the time for seniors to review their medicare drug plans experts say.
by Sandy Kleffman, Nov.20, 2008 AARP.org


Suffolk County prescription drug plans:
Rating 5 stars excellent plan, 1 being the lowest
website: http://www.medicare.gov/MPDPF/Public/Include/DataSection/Results/ListPlanByState.asp


Medicare Health Plans (like HMOs and PPOs) often cover prescription drugs. Medicare Health Plans include:

Medicare Advantage Plans
Other Medicare Health Plans
Medicare Advantage Plans (like HMOs and PPOs) that include prescription drug coverage as part of the plan are health plan options that are approved by Medicare but run by private companies. They are part of the Medicare Program. If you join a Medicare Advantage Plan you are still in Medicare.

With Medicare Advantage Plans:
You generally get all your Medicare-covered health care through that plan.
You may get extra benefits, such as coverage for vision, hearing, dental, and/or health and wellness programs.
You usually will have to pay some other costs (such as copayments or coinsurance) for the services you get. Out-of-pocket costs in these plans are generally lower than in the Original Medicare Plan, but vary by the services you use.
You may have to see doctors that belong to the plan or go to certain hospitals to get covered services.
You don’t need to buy a Medigap policy.
Medicare Advantage Plans include:
Health Maintenance Organizations (HMO)
Preferred Provider Organizations (PPO)
Private Fee-For-Service (PFFS) Plans
Medicare Medical Savings Account (MSA) Plans
Medicare Special Needs Plans (SNP)
Other Medicare Health Plans
There are some types of Medicare Health Plans that include prescription drug coverage as part of the plan but that aren’t part of Medicare Advantage that are still part of the Medicare Program. With these plans, you generally get all your Medicare-covered health care through that plan.

Medicare Cost Plans
Demonstrations/Pilot Programs
PACE (Programs of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly)


*Medicare Managed Care Plan termination in 2009-10

Gov. Paterson proposed a $2.6 Billion savings. These savings will reduce the spending of Medicaid throughout 2009-10 by $1 billion. This plan will also reduce Medicare Managed Care Plans. Notices were sent out to New York State residents whose managed care plan will be terminated and end coverage by December 31, 2008. If you received a notice you will need to contact Medicare either to enroll in another managed care plan, if one is available in Suffolk County, or return to the original Medicare plan; which you may also need to apply for Medigap. The Medigap policy will assist with those costs not covered by Medicare. The 15th district is affected by these cuts. If you have not received a notice it is vital that you check your coverage to verify that your plan will not be terminated in 2009-10. Please refer to the website www.medicare.gov to find if your plan will continue coverage in 2009-10.



Steps managing the website:

www.medicare.gov
Click on the link in the center: Medicare Health Plans 2009- Plan Data
Click on the tab: Find & Compare Health Plans
Click on the tab to your right: Big General Plan Search
Enter zip code; age; health status; check original Medicare Plan; and No that you have not received a notice and continue
Click Continue to view current coverage in your area
Click on the tab to your right: Continue to Plan List


Once you have followed these steps you will have a list of all active plans for 2009-10 and if your plan is not on that list you need to contact Medicaid at 631-853-2299.
*Info. courtesy of Legislator Gregory, Suffolk County

-Digital Television Broadcasting

Federal law will require that all full-power television broadcast stations stop broadcasting in analog format; instead broadcast only in digital format. This change will take effect February 17, 2009. Broadcasters altering from analog to digital will free up frequencies for public safety communications (such as police, fire and emergency rescue). In order to prepare for this change depends on whether you only receive over-the-air television programming or have a paid provider such as cable or satellite. If you have an analog television set without service from a paid provider you will need to purchase a digital-to-analog set-top converter box. The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) is administering a coupon program where each household can receive two coupons worth $40.00 each toward the purchase a converter box. These coupons must be requested between January 1, 2008 and March 31, 2009; and will expire 90 days after mailing. Please visit NTIA’s website www.dtv2009.gov for more information on the coupon program and visit the Commissions’ DTV website at www.dtv.gov for further details on what you need to prepare for Digital Broadcasting.