Medicare Assistance

Medicare is a health insurance program for people in the U.S. who are 65 or older, people under age 65 with certain disabilities and people of all ages with end-stage renal disease.

Maury Regional Health provides this information as a resource for Medicare recipients. Information contained on this webpage is a brief summary of some services covered by Medicare but is not a complete list. Visit Medicare.gov for complete information.

Medicare Seminar

Maury Regional Medical Center (MRMC) will host the free Your Medicare in 2024 seminar on Friday, Nov. 3, from 2-3 p.m., featuring an explanation on how Medicare participants can evaluate plan changes for the coming year.

Sherri Craig with the State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) will provide information on what changes can be made in the Medicare Part D (prescription drug benefit) and Medicare Advantage (supplemental) plans in 2024. The seminar will also address the importance of performing an annual plan comparison and how the Medicare website can be used to compare plans.

This event will be held in the Maury Regional Annex at 1223 Trotwood Ave. in Columbia (across the street from the hospital). To RSVP, call 931.540.4183 or complete the online form available on the Classes & Events Calendar.

MEDicare types

Medicare part a

Medicare Part A is also known as hospital insurance. This type of Medicare coverage provides benefits for hospital-related services such as:

• Inpatient care
• Home health
• Hospice
• Skilled nursing
• Surgery

Most people do not pay a monthly premium for Part A and enrollment for Part A takes place through Social Security.

Medicare Part B

Medicare Part B is also known as medical insurance.  Those who already receive Social Security benefits automatically get Part A and Part B on the first day of their birth month upon turning 65. This type of Medicare coverage provides benefits for health care services, including:

• Doctor’s visits
• Medical equipment
• Outpatient care
• Preventive services

Most people pay a monthly premium for Part B. Part B also has an annual deductible. After your Part B deductible is met, you typically pay a percentage of your doctor visits and services.

MEDICARE PART D

Medicare Part D provides coverage for prescription medications. One must have Part A and/or Part B in order receive Part D. Monthly premiums and co-pays for Medicare Part D vary with plans. An open enrollment period for Medicare Part D is held each fall. During open enrollment, Medicare recipients have an opportunity to review their existing plan and compare coverage to other available plans and make any desired changes. Penalties may apply for late enrollment.

Assistance with comparing drug plans

During open enrollment for Medicare Part D (October 15–December 7), trained volunteers who serve through the State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) are available to assist Medicare participants with comparing prescription drug plans for the coming year. Volunteers work through the SHIP office in Mount Pleasant as well as through Maury Regional Medical Center Volunteer Services to provide this free assistance. To request a free drug plan comparison, contact one of the offices listed below:

Learn more about Medicare Part D at Medicare.gov.

MEDICARE advantage plans

During open enrollment, please note that Maury Regional Health providers participate in the following Medicare Advantage insurance plans:

• Aetna Medicare
• American Health Advantage of Tennessee
• Amerivantage
• BlueCross Blue Shield
• Cigna Medicare HMO and PPO
• Farm Bureau Health Plans (new for 2023)
• HumanaChoice HMO and PPO
• NHC Advantage
• WellCare HMO and PPO
• UnitedHealthcare

Participation Note: Maury Regional Health providers are not participating in the Ascension Complete, Bright Health and Clover Health Choice Medicare Advantage plans.

Should you want to make additional changes to your Medicare Advantage plan coverage, you may do so from January 1 to March 31 of each year.  Any change made to your Medicare Advantage plan will become effective the first day of the following month after the plan processes the requested change.

ADDITIONAL SUPPORT