No. You may voluntarily choose to enroll in a Medicaid HMO, but under federal law, enrollment in an HMO is not mandatory for Medicare beneficiaries. Probably not, except for emergency room treatment. Most HMOs serve only a specific geographic area and have provider networks in only that area. For those who retire after they reach 65 Medicare is primary and an employer-sponsored plan is secondary.

An HMO is an alternative to Original Medicare and features specific lists of doctors, hospitals, and other providers that you must use to receive benefits. HMOs often provide additional benefits not found in Original Medicare, including coverage for deductibles, steep reductions in co-insurance when you use doctors, a drug benefit plan and wellness or fitness programs. If you select a Medicare Advantage HMO, it replaces your Original Medicare coverage.

Unless you are in a wealthy area where your patients can all pay privately, you will need to enroll with Medicare. The decision to enroll with Medicaid generally depends upon your state, the level of reimbursement, and level of bureaucracy that working with the program entails.

Yes, we are a 88-bed Medicare and Medicaid certified facility. We also have service agreements with most HMOs. Yes, and we are routinely evaluated by the Ohio Department of Health for every aspect of resident care and services.

No. Unfortunately, the excessive paperwork and phone time required for communicating with Medicare and Medicaid in order to get claims submitted and paid was such a drain on our resources that we were forced to give up these coverages. Patients with Medicare and Medicaid may sign a private contract with the clinic and receive care, but they are responsible for paying for services themselves.

The Social Security Administration handles Medicare eligibility and enrollment. You can contact the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213 to enroll in Medicare or to ask questions about whether you are eligible. You can also visit their web site at www.socialsecurity.gov . General information about enrollment in Medicare is provided below. Our other FAQs Who is eligible for Medicare? and Should I sign up for Medicare Part B? may also be helpful to you.

In order to qualify for Medicare benefits, an individual must reach age 65 and enroll in the program. Medicare is comprised of two parts: Part A (hospitalization) and Part B (medical services). Generally, individuals turning age 65 who already receive social security benefits as well as those who have received social security disability benefits for two years automatically qualify for Medicare. Other individuals must file an application.

You cannot use the checks if your prescriptions are paid in part or full by any federal or state program, including Medicaid and Medicare, or if you are enrolled in Medicare Part D. For more details, see the patient eligibility rules.

Medicaid provides health insurance for low income Coloradoans who meet state and federal eligibility requirements. Medicaid can assist families with children, pregnant women, the elderly, and people with disabilities when eligibility requirements are met. Persons who are not United States citizens are not eligible for Medicaid except in a life threatening medical emergency. Other state medical programs may be available to those persons who do not meet Medicaid eligibility requirements.

Yes, we take all government insurance products. At this point, however, we can not operate on Medicare patients; however, this DOES NOT apply to Buckeye Medicare, Care Source, or state or government Medicaid programs.

Medicare will not cover adult day care services; however, if you participate in the Medicaid program, some or all of your daily rate is often covered by Medicaid. Contact your local department of human services for details.

Medicaid pays the deductibles, coinsurance and premiums for Medicare Part A and B for low income persons. These individuals are called "Qualified Medicare Beneficiaries" or QMB's.

If you want your FEHB HMO to cover your Medicare deductibles, coinsurance, and other services it covers that are not covered by Medicare, you must use your HMO's participating provider network to receive services and get the required referrals for specialty care.

o You can enroll in an HMO during "Open Enrollment". HMO applications must be submitted during the month of May each year (the coverage will be effective the following July 1). o If you move permanently into a new area that has an HMO, you may enroll in the HMO effective with the first date of the next month after notification of the Fund. A permanent move is a move in which you plan to live in the new location for 9 continuous months or more.