Medicare

Medicare is a federal health insurance program for people who are age 65 or older, disabled persons, or those with end-stage kidney disease. For more information call the toll-free number (800) 633-4227 or TTY (877) 486-2048, or to view their website click www.Medicare.gov.

If you are covered by Medicare, you can also apply for the Medicare Part D Prescription Drug benefit. This is an insurance benefit to help people with Medicare pay for prescription drugs and is provided through Medicare approved private health plans. For more information contact Medicare.

People with limited income and resources may qualify for extra help with prescription drug costs under the Medicare Prescription Drug benefit. To see if you qualify for this extra help contact the Social Security Administration. You can phone them toll-free at (800) 772-1213 or TTY (800) 325-0778, or to view their website click www.ssa.gov/prescriptionhelp. If you receive Medicaid, you automatically qualify for the extra help.

SHINE:

For questions about Medicare you can also contact the SHINE program. SHINE provides counseling to seniors and people with disabilities on health insurance, including Medicare, Medicaid, long-term care insurance, prescription assistance programs, and other health insurance issues. For information call the toll-free number at (800) 963-5337 or view the website www.FloridaShine.org.