Contact: info@medicareagencyresources.com

Medicare Consumer Document Library

CMS has created a number of documents that it updates on a regular basis that are directed at Medicare beneficiaries. These documents cover a range of Medicare-related topics.

The documents found below can be accessed by clicking on the respective image. The link will direct you to the official Medicare website where each of the documents is located.

Consumer Specific Documents

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General Medicare information:

Medicare & You
(124 pages) revised Sep 2020

This booklet includes a summary of Medicare benefits, rights, and protections. It also includes info on health and drug plan options, and provides answers to frequently asked questions about Medicare.

Your Medicare Benefits
(112 pages) revised Jan 2020

This booklet explains health care services and supplies covered under Medicare Part A and Part B.

A Quick Look at Medicare
(4 pages) revised Jul 2020

This short booklet provides a very quick overview of what Medicare is, what the coverage options are, as well as where to get help.

Medicare — Getting Started
(2 pages) revised Mar 2020

This short brochure explains the basics of Medicare benefits.

Have you done your yearly Medicare review?
(2 pages) revised Sep 2020

This brochure provides information to help people with Medicare review their health and prescription drug coverage in the fall.

Where to get your Medicare questions answered
(2 pages) revised May 2020

This tip sheet tells you when to visit Medicare.gov, call 1-800-MEDICARE, create an account at MyMedicare.gov, or visit socialsecurity.gov for answers to your Medicare questions.

Medicare Coverage outside of the United States
(2 pages) revised Jan 2021

This tip sheet includes information about Medicare's limited coverage of health care services and supplies when you travel outside the U.S.

Get Medicare’s New “What’s Covered” App
(2 pages) revised Jan 2019

This conference card explains the benefits of Medicares first official mobile app. "Whats covered" delivers cost and coverage information on mobile devices.

New to Medicare Information:

“Welcome to Medicare” package (Living in the U.S.)
(36 pages) revised Dec 2019

This welcome package is sent to people living in the United States and some U.S. Territories who are automatically enrolled in Medicare. Soon, this publication wont be available here its moving to a new location. To get the most current versions of all the Welcome to Medicare packages, visit Medicare.gov/forms-help-resources/mail-you-get-about-medicare.

“Welcome to Medicare” package (Not automatically enrolled)
(20 pages) revised Dec 2019

This welcome package is sent to people who are not automatically enrolled in Medicare. Soon, this publication will not be available here it is moving to a new location. To get the most current versions of all the Welcome to Medicare packages, visit Medicare.gov/forms-help-resources/mail-you-get-about-medicare.

“Welcome to Medicare” package (Living outside of the U.S.)
(11 pages) revised Dec 2019

This welcome package is sent to people living outside the United States who are automatically enrolled in Medicare. Soon, this publication wont be available here its moving to a new location. To get the most current versions of all the Welcome to Medicare packages, visit Medicare.gov/forms-help-resources/mail-you-get-about-medicare.

Medicare Costs and Payment Information:

Medicare Costs (2021)
(4 pages) revised Dec 2020

This fact sheet provides the premiums and deductibles for Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance) and Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance). It also includes information about the income-related monthly adjustment amounts for Medicare Part D (prescription drug coverage).

How income affects your Medicare prescription drug coverage premiums
(4 pages) revised May 2018

This factsheet explains Part D IRMAA and who had to pay it.
Note, the IRMAA amounts are not up-to-date

Your Guide to Who Pays First
(32 pages) revised Aug 2020

This booklet provides an explanation of how Medicare pays with other types of insurance.

Coordination of Benefits
(2 pages) revised Aug 2020

This brochure provides an introduction and broad overview of coordination of benefits, including how Medicare works with other insurance and who pays first.

Quick facts about Payments for Outpatient Services for People with Medicare Part B
(4 pages) revised Dec 2017

This fact sheet has information about how outpatient services are paid for people with Medicare Part B.

Withholding Medicare prescription drug premiums from your Social Security payment
(4 pages) revised May 2019

This tip sheet explains how to withhold Medicare prescription drug Plan Premiums from your Social security payment.

Medicare Benefits:

Medicare & Your Hospital Benefits — Getting Started
(2 pages) revised Apr 2020

A brief overview of how Original Medicare covers inpatient and outpatient hospital services.

Are you a Hospital Inpatient or Outpatient?
(8 pages) revised Aug 2018

This fact sheet explains how hospital status affects how much a person pays for hospital services and whether their stay in a skilled nursing facility will be covered.

Guide to choosing a Hospital
(20 pages) revised Dec 2017

This official government booklet explains the steps to choosing a hospital and why hospital quality is important.

What are Long-Term Care Hospitals?
(2 pages) revised Jun 2019

This fact sheet explains long-term care hospitals, their purpose, and how people with Medicare are covered for services in this setting.

Medicare Coverage of Skilled Nursing Facility Care
(48 pages) revised Jul 2019

A brochure explaining Medicare covered skilled care, your rights and protections, and where you can get help with your questions.

Medicare & Skilled Nursing Facility Care — Getting Started
(2 pages) revised Jul 2019

This brochure gives basic information on Medicare's coverage and payment of skilled nursing facility care services.

Your Guide to Choosing a Nursing Home or Other Long-Term Services & Supports
(44 pages) revised Oct 2019

The booklet contains detailed information on choosing a nursing home, as well as costs and coverage.

Your Right to get Information about Returning to the Community
(2 pages) revised May 2020

This brochure explains the right of nursing home residents to learn if they can live in the community and get the services and supports they need.

Your Discharge Planning Checklist
(6 pages) revised Mar 2019

This checklist helps you and your caregiver make sure you have the information you need before discharge.

Medicare & Home Health Care
(32 pages) revised Sep 2020

This publication gives an overview of Medicare''s covered preventive services.

Medicare Hospice Benefit
(20 pages) revised Sep 2020

This booklet has information about Medicare's hospice care coverage.

How Medicare covers self-administered drugs given in hospital outpatient settings
(4 pages) revised Jun 2020

Provides information about how to get reimbursed through Medicare Part D for self-administered drugs you get in hospital outpatient settings.

Medicare coverage of Durable Medical Equipment & other Devices
(20 pages) revised Aug 2020

This booklet provides an overview of what durable medical equipment is and which items are covered under Original Medicare.

Medicare’s Wheelchair & Scooter Benefit
(8 pages) revised Oct 2019

This publication explains Medicare's coverage of wheelchairs and scooters. It also has information on how to detect fraud.

Medicare Coverage of Therapy Services
(2 pages) revised Jun 2020

This fact sheet explains Medicare coverage of therapy services, including outpatient physical therapy (PT), speech-language pathology (SLP), and occupational therapy (OT).

Medicare Coverage of Diabetes Supplies, Services & Prevention Programs
(32 pages) revised Dec 2019

This booklet explains the diabetes supplies and services that Medicare helps pay for, and where you can get more help.

Medicare helps cover Diabetes Supplies and Services to help keep you Healthy
(2 pages) revised Sep 2020

This publication lists Medicare-covered diabetes services and supplies, and questions diabetics should ask their doctor.

Medicare Coverage of Kidney Dialysis & Kidney Transplant Services
(52 pages) revised Sep 2020

This booklet has information about Medicare coverage for people with End-Stage Renal Disease (permanent kidney failure treated with dialysis or a transplant).

Medicare for Children with End-Stage Renal Disease — Getting Started
(2 pages) revised Sep 2020

This brochure has information about Medicare coverage for children with End-Stage Renal Disease (permanent kidney failure treated with dialysis or a transplant).

Women & Heart Disease
(2 pages) revised Oct 2020

This brochure includes information women need to know about heart disease.

Medicare & Your Mental Health Benefits
(28 pages) revised Mar 2020

Provides information on Medicare's coverage and payment of mental health services.

Medicare & Your Mental Health Benefits — Getting Started
(2 pages) revised Mar 2020

This booklet gives a broad overview of mental health benefits for people with Original Medicare.

Medicare Coverage of Ambulance Services
(16 pages) revised Jan 2020

This booklet explains ambulance coverage under Original Medicare. It provides information on coverage, payment, and rights and protection issues.

Medicare & Clinic Research Studies
(8 pages) revised Sep 2019

A brochure that explains Medicare coverage to help pay health care costs if you're in a covered clinical research study.

Getting a Second Option before Surgery
(4 pages) revised Sep 2020

A guide to what you need to know before surgery about getting a second opinion.

Your Guide to Medicare Preventive Services
(28 pages) revised Aug 2019

This booklet gives an overview of Medicare's covered preventive services.

Questions to ask about Medicare Preventive Services (Checklist)
(2 pages) revised Jun 2019

This checklist includes a list of questions to ask your doctor about Medicare's preventive services.

Coverage Type:

Understanding Medicare Advantage & Medicare Drug Plan Enrollment Periods
(12 pages) revised Sep 2020

This tip sheet is designed to help you learn more about enrollment into Medicare Parts C and D, including who can sign up, when you can sign up, and how the timing can affect your costs.

Medicare Advantage plans now available for people with End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD)
(2 pages) revised Sep 2020

This conference card has information about Medicare Advantage Plans for people with End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD)

Your Guide to Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage
(88 pages) revised Sep 2019

This booklet tells you how your Medicare prescription drug coverage works, how it works with other drug coverage you may have, and how you get Extra Help if you have limited income and resources.

Getting Medical care & Prescription Drugs in a Disaster or Emergency Area
(8 pages) revised Jun 2019

This fact sheet gives information about the special rights you have to get care and prescription drugs if you're in a disaster or emergency area.

How Medicare Drug Plans use Pharmacies, Formularies, and common Coverage Rules
(8 pages) revised Aug 2020

This fact sheet describes the methods Medicare drug plans use to provide access to prescription drugs.

Electronic Prescribing
(2 pages) revised Jul 2020

This brochure explains how people with Medicare can benefit from electronic prescriptions.

Opioid Treatment Programs for people with Medicare
(2 pages) revised Mar 2020

This fact sheet tells you how Medicare covers opioid treatment programs, what you pay, and how to make sure your treatment isn't interrupted if you are in a Medicare Advantage Plan.

Safer Use of Opioid Pain Medication
(2 pages) revised Dec 2019

This fact sheet tells you the steps Medicare is taking with drug plans and pharmacists to help you use prescription opioid pain medications more safely. These steps include safety reviews at the pharmacy and drug management programs.

How Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage works with a Medicare Advantage Plan or Medicare Cost Plan
(4 pages) revised May 2018

This fact sheet provides basic information about Medicare's prescription drug coverage for people with a Medicare Advantage Plan or Medicare Cost Plan.

Choosing a Medigap Policy: A Guide to Health Insurance for people with Medicare
(52 pages) revised Feb 2020

This booklet contains information on choosing a Medigap policy to supplement the original Medicare plan.

Medicare Supplement Insurance — Getting Started
(2 pages) revised Jun 2020

This brochure provides an introduction and broad overview of Medicare Supplemental Insurance (Medigap) policies.

Financial Assistance:

4 Programs than can help you pay your medical expenses
(4 pages) revised Apr 2020

A fact sheet with information about federal and state programs for people with limited income and resources.

Get Help with your Medicare Costs — Getting Started
(2 pages) revised Jun 2020

This brochure explains how you can get help paying your Medicare Part A and or Part B premiums (through Medicare Savings Programs).

3 Tips for people in the Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB) Program
(2 pages) revised Apr 2020

This factsheet provides tips for people in the Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB) Program.

Are you having trouble paying for prescription drugs?
(4 pages) published Jul 2007

This brochure explains in simple terms and pictures about applying for extra help with prescription drug costs.

4 Ways to help lower your Medicare Prescription Drug Costs
(4 pages) revised Mar 2020

This fact sheet gives information and resources to people with Medicare who need help paying for their prescription drug costs.

If you get Extra Help, make sure you’re paying the Right Amount
(4 pages) revised Mar 2019

This tip sheet explains what people who qualify for Extra Help can do to make sure they're paying the right amount for their drugs at the pharmacy.

What to do if you no longer qualify for Extra Help with Medicare Prescription Drugs Costs
(4 pages) revised May 2020

This factsheet explains that Medicare and Social Security are determining whether some people who qualify for Extra Help will continue to qualify next year, and what people should do if their level of Extra Help changes.

Beneficiary Protection:

4 R’s for Fighting Medicare Fraud
(2 pages) revised Jul 2020

This factsheet provides a person with Medicare some easy ways to fight Medicare fraud.

Protecting yourself & Medicare from Fraud
(20 pages) revised Nov 2019

This booklet provides information on how to detect and protect against fraud and identity theft.

Other:

Introducing Care Compare
(2 pages) revised Aug 2020

This conference card gives an overview of Care Compare.

Meeting with Agents One-on-One
(2 pages) revised Nov 2017

This postcard tells you what to expect at a one-on-one meeting with an agent or broker about Medicare Advantage and Prescription Drug Plans.

Talking with a Friend or Family Member’s Doctor during an Office Visit
(2 pages) revised Aug 2020

Information for caregivers who may need to talk to a doctor about a friend or family member's condition or treatment plan during an office visit.