What is Original Medicare? Are there different types of Medicare?

[Guest guest]

<http://www.kintera.org/TR.asp?a=hwJXIfMSKcLVKpJ & s=gvJ1KdNPKeJWJhO1KyG & m=bnLAKJN\

mGdJTG>[image:

Medicare Rights

Center]<http://www.kintera.org/TR.asp?a=hwJXIfMSKcLVKpJ & s=gvJ1KdNPKeJWJhO1KyG & m=\

bnLAKJNmGdJTG><http://www.kintera.org/TR.asp?a=hwJXIfMSKcLVKpJ & s=gvJ1KdNPKeJWJhO\

1KyG & m=bnLAKJNmGdJTG>

[image: Dear Marci -- Your trusted source for Medicare answers]

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*Topic of the Month:*

Original Medicare Coverage and Costs

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*This week, in Marci . . .*

Volume 8, Issue 28: Week of July 13, 2009

- *Dear Marci:* What is the difference between Medicare Part A and Part

B?<https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2 & view=js & name=js & ver=oQSANZu1eHs.en. & am=!g-\

7ZRXWCxC65RfXmwdQ-Qmp2zY5NdHJYCoWU6BcOQQ#12274e733464a286_mailbox>

- *Get Resources:* Resources for to learn about Original

Medicare.<https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2 & view=js & name=js & ver=oQSANZu1eHs.en.\

& am=!g-7ZRXWCxC65RfXmwdQ-Qmp2zY5NdHJYCoWU6BcOQQ#12274e733464a286_resources>

- *Health Tip:* Advice for living with

osteoarthritis.<https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2 & view=js & name=js & ver=oQSANZu1e\

Hs.en. & am=!g-7ZRXWCxC65RfXmwdQ-Qmp2zY5NdHJYCoWU6BcOQQ#12274e733464a286_healthtip\

>

- *Survey Says:* FDA panel recommends new restrictions on acetaminophen

use.<https://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2 & view=js & name=js & ver=oQSANZu1eHs.en. & am=!\

g-7ZRXWCxC65RfXmwdQ-Qmp2zY5NdHJYCoWU6BcOQQ#12274e733464a286_surveysays>

To make sure you continue to receive our e-mails in your inbox (not bulk or

junk folders), please add *dearmarci@...* to your address

book or safe sender list.

Dear Marci,

*My “red-white-and-blue” Medicare card lists different “Parts” of Medicare,

A and B. What’s the difference between them?*

*—Harriett (Eugene, OR)*

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*Click on the blue, underlined **hyperlinks** for related information

available through Medicare Interactive!*

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*Dear Harriett,*

Original

Medicare<http://www.kintera.org/TR.asp?a=9oJHIVNwFgJMJ2K & s=gvJ1KdNPKeJWJhO1KyG & m\

=bnLAKJNmGdJTG>’s

two “Parts,” A and B, cover different health services.

Part

A<http://www.kintera.org/TR.asp?a=chKNI4OILjITKcJ & s=gvJ1KdNPKeJWJhO1KyG & m=bnLAKJ\

NmGdJTG>is

sometimes called “hospital insurance” and generally pays for care when

you are an *inpatient* in the

hospital<http://www.kintera.org/TR.asp?a=fkITJdPUKmL0ImI & s=gvJ1KdNPKeJWJhO1KyG & m\

=bnLAKJNmGdJTG>or

a skilled

nursing

facility<http://www.kintera.org/TR.asp?a=8dJFKSNsEfKNK2L & s=gvJ1KdNPKeJWJhO1KyG & m\

=bnLAKJNmGdJTG>.

It will also cover home health

care<http://www.kintera.org/TR.asp?a=bqLLK1OEKiJUIcK & s=gvJ1KdNPKeJWJhO1KyG & m=bnL\

AKJNmGdJTG>in

certain circumstances, and end-of-life care for people eligible for

Medicare’s hospice

benefit<http://www.kintera.org/TR.asp?a=hwKXJjM2IpJYJlL & s=gvJ1KdNPKeJWJhO1KyG & m=\

bnLAKJNmGdJTG>.

Part

B<http://www.kintera.org/TR.asp?a=afIJKYNAKiILL1K & s=gvJ1KdNPKeJWJhO1KyG & m=bnLAKJ\

NmGdJTG>is

sometimes called “medical insurance” and generally covers

*outpatient* services including most medically necessary doctors’

services, preventive

care<http://www.kintera.org/TR.asp?a=dsJPK7OMIlLSJbJ & s=gvJ1KdNPKeJWJhO1KyG & m=bnL\

AKJNmGdJTG>,

durable medical

equipment<http://www.kintera.org/TR.asp?a=gvLVLgMYLoKZLlI & s=gvJ1KdNPKeJWJhO1KyG & \

m=bnLAKJNmGdJTG>,

hospital outpatient

services<http://www.kintera.org/TR.asp?a=9oJHIVNwFhJMJ1K & s=gvJ1KdNPKeJWJhO1KyG & m\

=bnLAKJNmGdJTG>,

laboratory tests, x-rays, mental health

care<http://www.kintera.org/TR.asp?a=chKNI4OILkITKbJ & s=gvJ1KdNPKeJWJhO1KyG & m=bnL\

AKJNmGdJTG>,

and some home health and

ambulance<http://www.kintera.org/TR.asp?a=fkITJdPUKnL0IlI & s=gvJ1KdNPKeJWJhO1KyG & \

m=bnLAKJNmGdJTG>services.

If you are in a Medicare private health

plan<http://www.kintera.org/TR.asp?a=8dJFKSNsEgKNK1L & s=gvJ1KdNPKeJWJhO1KyG & m=bnL\

AKJNmGdJTG>,

your plan must provide all of the services covered under Parts A and B but

can do so with different rules and

costs<http://www.kintera.org/TR.asp?a=bqLLK1OEKjJUIbK & s=gvJ1KdNPKeJWJhO1KyG & m=bn\

LAKJNmGdJTG>.

*To learn more about what services the different parts of Medicare covers,

go to Medicare

Interactive<http://www.kintera.org/TR.asp?a=ejJRLaPQImI1KlJ & s=gvJ1KdNPKeJWJhO1Ky\

G & m=bnLAKJNmGdJTG>

..*

— *Marci*

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*Looking for past Dear Marci Answers?* Have other Medicare questions? Find

your answers with Medicare Interactive (MI), an independent, public resource

of the Medicare Rights Center. MI offers expert information and advice on

Medicare. *Visit Medicare Interactive

today!*<http://www.kintera.org/TR.asp?a=ejLRL6OGIaIOIeK & s=gvJ1KdNPKeJWJhO1KyG & m=\

bnLAKJNmGdJTG>

*Do you need individual counseling?* Call the Medicare Rights Center's

consumer hotline at **, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Eastern Time,

Monday through Friday. A Medicare counselor will be happy to answer your

question.

You can also call your *State Health Insurance Assistance

Program<http://www.kintera.org/TR.asp?a=9oJHIVNyFeJKJ4K & s=gvJ1KdNPKeJWJhO1KyG & m=\

bnLAKJNmGdJTG>(SHIP)

* for personal counseling on Medicare benefits, rights and options.

Call *Social

Security*<http://www.kintera.org/TR.asp?a=chKNI4OKLhIRKeJ & s=gvJ1KdNPKeJWJhO1KyG & \

m=bnLAKJNmGdJTG>()

for questions about enrolling in Medicare or applying for

Extra Help!

Feel free to *send comments* about *Dear

Marci* or suggestions about topics you would like *Dear Marci* to cover.

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Health Tip of the Week

According to the National Institutes of Health, about 27 million Americans

have

osteoarthritis<http://www.kintera.org/TR.asp?a=fuITJdPWKkLYIoI & s=gvJ1KdNPKeJWJhO\

1KyG & m=bnLAKJNmGdJTG>—inflammation

of the joints caused by wearing down of the cartilage which may lead to

swelling, stiffness, and decreased joint motion, as well as deep aching pain

in your joints. It is the most common kind of arthritis and occurs most

often among older people, although it may begin at any age.

The Arthritis

Foundation<http://www.kintera.org/TR.asp?a=bgLLI1NGLhIIK3J & s=gvJ1KdNPKeJWJhO1KyG\

& m=bnLAKJNmGdJTG>has

information about how you can best take care of yourself and continue

living with arthritis:

- *Stay

active!<http://www.kintera.org/TR.asp?a=etIRIaPSJkKPIdI & s=gvJ1KdNPKeJWJhO1KyG & m=\

bnLAKJNmGdJTG>

* Exercise may seem counter-productive when you have joint pain, but it

is actually one of the best ways to stop pain before it starts by increasing

joint mobility and muscle strength, and decreasing stiffness. Your increased

energy will also promote weight loss (which means less pressure on your

joints, as well as reducing risk of heart

disease<http://www.kintera.org/TR.asp?a=afIJKYNAKjILL0K & s=gvJ1KdNPKeJWJhO1KyG & m=\

bnLAKJNmGdJTG>).

Talk to your doctor about what exercises are right for you.

- *Protect your

joints<http://www.kintera.org/TR.asp?a=hwKXJjM4InJWJnL & s=gvJ1KdNPKeJWJhO1KyG & m=b\

nLAKJNmGdJTG>

*. Even while being active, use proper methods for bending, lifting,

reaching, sitting and standing, and use your largest and strongest joints

and muscles for strenuous lifting, carrying, or pushing objects instead of

your affected joints. And don’t feel ashamed to ask for help when you need

it.

- *Get enough

sleep<http://www.kintera.org/TR.asp?a=afIJKYNCKgIJL3K & s=gvJ1KdNPKeJWJhO1KyG & m=bn\

LAKJNmGdJTG>

*. Resting refreshes your mind, making you better able to mentally deal

with joint pain. And when you sleep, your joints get a physical rest too,

reducing pain and swelling. You can improve your bedtime habits by sticking

to a regular sleep schedule and avoiding foods that might keep you awake,

like caffeinated drinks.

You should also maintain a healthy diet, recommends the UK-based

organization, Arthritis

Care<http://www.kintera.org/TR.asp?a=dsJPK7OOIjLQJdJ & s=gvJ1KdNPKeJWJhO1KyG & m=bnL\

AKJNmGdJTG>.

Dieticians recommend eating three to four servings a week of fish high in

omega-3<http://www.kintera.org/TR.asp?a=glLVLgM0LmKXLnI & s=gvJ1KdNPKeJWJhO1KyG & m=\

bnLAKJNmGdJTG>,

Essential Fatty Acids, which are thought to ease the symptoms of arthritis.

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Survey Says . . .

Studies conducted between 1990 and 1998 found that overdose of

acetaminophen—one of the country’s top drugs for pain relief—caused 56,000

emergency room visits, 26,000 hospitalizations, and 458 deaths per year.

While billions of doses are administered safely every year (the drug is

found in Tylenol, Excedrin and many cold medicines), these statistics plus

other concerns have prompted an advisory committee of the Food and Drug

Administration (FDA) to recommend new restrictions.

Because acetaminophen is in so many over-the-counter medications, there is

increased risk of overdose when using two or more products that contain it.

Additionally, people who have undiagnosed liver disease and take

acetaminophen risk liver injury. The largest concerns, however, are over

widely-used medications like Vicodin and Percocet that combine acetaminophen

with narcotics.

The panel recommended lowering a single adult dose to 650 milligrams from

the current 1,000 milligrams (often contained in two tablets over common

over-the-counter products), and to lower the maximum daily dose, which is

currently at 4,000 milligrams.

It also recommended a prohibition on prescription drugs that combine

acetaminophen and another drug, and strong warnings on boxes of “combined”

medications sold over-the-counter. This would make it easier for people to

see how much acetaminophen they are taking and be able to better regulate

their intake.

You can find a summary of the panel’s recommendations on

MedicineNet.com<http://www.kintera.org/TR.asp?a=dsJPK7OMImLSJaJ & s=gvJ1KdNPKeJWJh\

O1KyG & m=bnLAKJNmGdJTG>and

more on acetaminophen and liver injury on the FDA

website<http://www.kintera.org/TR.asp?a=9oJHIVNyFfJKJ3K & s=gvJ1KdNPKeJWJhO1KyG & m=\

bnLAKJNmGdJTG>.

Spotlight on Resources

· Learn more about Original Medicare coverage and costs on Medicare

Interactive<http://www.kintera.org/TR.asp?a=diIPJ3OCKaJPKdL & s=gvJ1KdNPKeJWJhO1Ky\

G & m=bnLAKJNmGdJTG>.

· For information about services and resources for older adults and persons

with disabilities, visit the National Association of Area Agencies on

Aging<http://www.kintera.org/TR.asp?a=glKVKcPOJdIWLnK & s=gvJ1KdNPKeJWJhO1KyG & m=bn\

LAKJNmGdJTG>.

· For free one-on-one counseling and assistance on Medicare and related

issues, contact your State Health Insurance Assistance

Program<http://www.kintera.org/TR.asp?a=chKNI4OKLiIRKdJ & s=gvJ1KdNPKeJWJhO1KyG & m=\

bnLAKJNmGdJTG>(SHIP).

· For help getting screened for benefit programs available to older adults

with limited incomes, visit Benefits Check

Up<http://www.kintera.org/TR.asp?a=fuITJdPWKlLYInI & s=gvJ1KdNPKeJWJhO1KyG & m=bnLAK\

JNmGdJTG>.

· View ratings and reviews of care and housing options for older adults at

the

seniorDECISION<http://www.kintera.org/TR.asp?a=8dJFKSNuEeKLK3L & s=gvJ1KdNPKeJWJhO\

1KyG & m=bnLAKJNmGdJTG>website.

· For state-by-state legal information about Medicare, visit ElderLaw

Answers<http://www.kintera.org/TR.asp?a=etIRIaPSJlKPIcI & s=gvJ1KdNPKeJWJhO1KyG & m=\

bnLAKJNmGdJTG>.

* * * * * *

The Medicare Rights Center's Hotline for Professionals

Do you help people with Medicare? Where do you turn to for help? Call the

Professional Hotline, a national service offered by the Medicare Rights

Center to support people serving the Medicare population. Dial

from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Eastern Time for accurate, up-to-date information and

ongoing technical support.

* * * * * *

Are you a caregiver in need of information?

Check out the Medicare Rights Center’s next FREE educational web

seminar, *“Medicare

Information for Caregivers”* to learn more about how Medicare works and what

resources are available to you.

Register for this web seminar on

MedicareRights.org<http://www.kintera.org/TR.asp?a=ejLRL6OGIcIOIcK & s=gvJ1KdNPKeJ\

WJhO1KyG & m=bnLAKJNmGdJTG>

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other Medicare policy and news updates from the Medicare Rights

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*Subscribe*<http://www.kintera.org/TR.asp?a=afLJJUNqE8KII2I & s=gvJ1KdNPKeJWJhO1Ky\

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*Dear Marci* is a weekly e-newsletter designed to keep you—people with

Medicare, social workers, health care providers and other professionals—in

the loop about health care benefits, rights and options for older Americans

and people with disabilities. Dear Marci is a free service of the Medicare

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Center<http://www.kintera.org/TR.asp?a=diIPJ3OCKbJPKcL & s=gvJ1KdNPKeJWJhO1KyG & m=b\

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MRC helps older adults and people with disabilities get high-quality,

affordable health care.

*For reprint rights,* please contact Sheena Bhuva

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Contents are 2009 by Medicare Rights Center, 520 Eighth Avenue, North Wing,

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