What information can Medicare beneficiaries get from HCFA?
As part of a congressionally mandated program, HCFA produces a variety of information about the benefits available under original Medicare and Medicare managed care plans. As part of this program, HCFA publishes an annual guide for Medicare beneficiaries. Next year’s handbook is called “Medicare & You 2000.” Medicare’s 39 million beneficiaries will receive either the handbook or a postcard that they can mail back to HCFA to request a copy. “Medicare & You 2000” provides beneficiaries with the following information: • What is covered under Medicare Part A and Part B. • How to pay for health care costs, including purchasing Medigap insurance. • How to choose between original Medicare and Medicare managed care plans. • Beneficiary rights and protections. • New prostate cancer screening benefit. Since your patients may have questions for you about the information in the handbook, you can obtain copies of “Medicare & You 2000” by faxing your request to HCFA at 410-786-1905. “Medicare and Yo
