Medicare for Dummies

This is the hardcover format of Medicare For Dummies. Manage the Medicare maze — from enrollment dates to plan options! To get the most from Medicare, you need accurate information that steers you clear of bad advice and costly pitfalls. Medicare For Dummies is what you need to navigate Medicare successfully and get the best out of the complex system. AARPs Medicare expert, Patricia Barry, gives you plain-language explanations of how Medicare works and what steps you need to take to make it work for you, including: How you qualify for Medicare and when to enroll according to your personal situation What Medicare covers and what it costs Ways to reduce out-of-pocket expenses Tips for dealing with doctors and switching plans You’ll even get information about proposed changes to Medicare that you should know about and tips for staying healthy. If you’re one of the millions of Americans looking to get the lowdown on Medicare, this hands-on, friendly guide has you covered.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1: The Nuts and Bolts of Medicare: What It Is and How It Works
Chapter 2: Spelling Out What Medicare Covers (A Lot, but Not Everything)
Chapter 3: Understanding What You Pay toward Your Costs in Medicare
Chapter 4: Reducing Your Out-of-Pocket Expenses in Medicare
Chapter 5: Qualifying for Medicare
Chapter 6: Enrolling in Medicare at the Right Time for You
Chapter 7: Discovering How to Sign Up for Medicare
Chapter 8: Understanding How Medicare Fits In with Other Health Insurance
Chapter 9: Making Sense of Medicare’s Many Options
Chapter 10: Choosing Wisely If You Go with Traditional Medicare
Chapter 11: Making Smart Choices If You Opt for Medicare Advantage
Chapter 12: Getting Help in Making Medicare Choices
Chapter 13: Starting Out as a New Medicare Beneficiary
Chapter 14: Getting the Inside Scoop on Using Certain Medicare Benefits
Chapter 15: Changing Your Medicare and Medigap Coverage
Chapter 16: Knowing Your Rights
Chapter 17: Top Ten Medicare Mistakes
Chapter 18: Ten Ways to Stay Healthier beyond Age 65
Appendix A: Sources of Help and Information
Appendix B: Glossary