Resources

Helpful Links

• About.com – Health Insurance
• Employee Benefit Research Institute
• Healthcare.gov
• Medicare.gov
• Mayo Clinic
• National Institutes of Health
• Social Security Online
• WebMD

Where to Get Your Medicare Questions Answered

To get general or claims specific Medicare information and important telephone numbers. If you need help in a language other than English or Spanish, say “Agent” to talk to a customer service representative.

• 1 800 633 4227
• TTY 1 877 486 2048 www.medicare.gov

State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP)
To get free personalized Medicare counseling on decisions about coverage; help with claims, billing, or appeals; and information on programs for people with limited income and resources.

• Call 1 800 MEDICARE to get the telephone numbers of SHIPs in other states.

Social Security
To get a replacement Medicare card; change your address or name; get information about Part A and/or Part B eligibility, entitlement, and enrollment; apply for Extra Help with Medicare prescription drug costs; ask questions about premiums; and report a death.

• 1 800 772 1213
• TTY 1 800 325 0778
• www.ssa.gov

Coordination of Benefits Contractor
To get information on whether Medicare or your other insurance pays first and to report changes in your insurance information.

• 1 800 999 1118
• TTY 1 800 318 8782

Department of Defense
To get information about TRICARE for Life and the TRICARE Pharmacy Program.

• 1 866 773 0404 (TFL)
• TTY 1 866 773 0405
• 1 877 363 1303 (Pharmacy)
• TTY 1 877 540 6261
• www.tricare.mil/mybenefit

Department of Health and Human Services
Office of Inspector General—If you suspect Medicare fraud.

• 1 800 447 8477
• TTY 1 800 377 4950
• https://oig.hhs.gov/fraud/

Office for Civil Rights
If you think you were discriminated against or if your health information privacy rights were violated.

• 1 800 368 1019
• TTY 1 800 537 7697
• www.hhs.gov/ocr

Department of Veterans Affairs
If you’re a veteran or have served in the U.S. military.

• 1 800 827 1000
• TTY 1 800 829 4833
• www.va.gov

Office of Personnel Management
To get information about the Federal Employee Health Benefits Program for current and retired Federal employees.

• 1 888 767 6738
• TTY 1 800 878 5707
• www.opm.gov/healthcare-insurance

Railroad Retirement Board (RRB)
If you have benefits from the RRB, call them to change your address or name, check eligibility, enroll in Medicare, replace your Medicare card, and report a death.

• Local RRB office or
• 1 877 772 5772

Quality Improvement Organization (QIO)
To ask questions or report complaints about the quality of care for a Medicare covered service or if you think your service is ending too soon. Call 1 800 MEDICARE to get the telephone number for your QIO.

Thinking about retiring? Use these helpful calculators to start planning

One way to start planning for your future is by creating my Social Security account online. With my Social Security, you can verify your earnings, get your Social Security Statement, and much more – all from the comfort of your home or office.

Additionally, Social Security has a variety of calculators to help you plan for the future. Using these calculators can help you understand the impact of the decisions you are making today. And, we know that you will have additional questions. We are here to help you. Just give us a call at your convenience.

Quick Calculator: With the quick calculator you get a rough estimate of your benefits in today’s dollars or future dollars when you input your date of birth and this year’s earnings. Does not include WEP reduction. You must be 21 or older for this calculator to work correctly.

Retirement Age: Find your full retirement age and see how your monthly benefits may be reduced if you retire before your full retirement age.

Earnings Test Calculator: See how your earnings may affect your benefit payments if you are currently working and are eligible for retirement or survivors benefits this year.

Early or Late Retirement?: Determine the effect on your benefit amount if you file for early or delayed retirement benefits.

Understanding Each Other’s End-of-Life Wishes – A Difficult but Helpful Converstation

Talking with your loved ones openly and honestly, before a medical crisis happens, gives everyone a shared understanding about what matters most to you at the end of life.

Why talking matters

Sharing your wishes for end-of-life care can bring you closer to the people you love. It’s critically important. And, no matter how difficult, you can do it.

Consider the facts:

• 92% of people say that talking with their loved ones about end-of-life care is important. However, only 32% have actually done so.
  • Source: The Conversation Project National Survey (2018)
• 60% of people say that making sure their family is not burdened by tough decisions is extremely important.
• 68% have not communicated their end-of life wishes.
  • Source: The Conversation Project National Survey (2018)

How to start?

You don’t have to ask and/or answer all the questions at once.  One resource is theconversationproject.org where you can find any number of guides to help you with this conversation, including The Starter Kit.

Or, you can simply begin with small steps, introducing the conversation to your loved ones over time to ensure that you understand their wishes and they in turn understand your wishes.