Medicare
General Information - Federal Level
Medicare.gov - official US government website for the Medicare program
New Jersey Medicare Resources
State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) - The State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) provides free help to New Jersey Medicare beneficiaries who have problems with, or questions about their health insurance. SHIP is a statewide program administered by the New Jersey Department of Human Services and funded in part by a grant from the U.S. Administration for Community Living. Also includes information on Medigap plans, Medicare Advantage Plans, Stand-Alone Prescription Plans, and more.
SHIP Information Center: 1-800-792-8820
NJ Save - NJ Save is an online application to help low-income seniors and individuals with disabilities save money on Medicare premiums, prescriptions costs, and other living expenses. Click on the NJ Save image below to access the application. Apply Online.
New Jersey Hospital Care Payment Assistance Program - The New Jersey Hospital Care Payment Assistance Program (Charity Care) is available to patients for inpatient and outpatient services at all acute care hospitals throughout New Jersey. 1-866-588-5696 (Monday through Friday, 9am - 5pm). Charity.Care@doh.nj.gov
Local Resources
Medicare Rights Center - A national, nonprofit consumer service organization that offers counseling, advocacy, and educational programs to help older adults and people with disabilities understand their Medicare rights and benefits. GET Free MEDICARE HELP. Call the National Helpline 800-333-4114.
Center for Medicare Advocacy - A national, non-profit law organization focused on advancing access to comprehensive Medicare coverage and quality health care for older people and people with disabilities through legal analysis, education, and advocacy.
Patience Advocate Foundation - Provides assistance to patients, including Medicare beneficiaries, with navigating their health insurance, including Medicare eligibility and coverage, and can even help with some out-of-pocket costs.
Patience Assistance Foundations - Charitable patient assistance foundations are independent, nonprofit organizations that provide financial assistance to patients living with life-threatening, chronic, and rare diseases for their out-of-pocket prescription medication costs. PAN Foundation. Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. ET, at 1-866-316-7263.
Bergen County Medicare Resources
SHIP Medicare Counseling: The Bergen County State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) provides free help to Medicare beneficiaries who have problems with or questions about their health insurance.
SHIP Medicare Counseling Program
Bergen County Division of Senior Services
ADRC One Bergen County Plaza, 2nd Floor
Hackensack, NJ 07601
201-336-7413
Help Managing Out-Of-Pocket Prescription Expenses
Medicare Prescription Payment Plan.
Medicare Prescription Payment Plan: The Medicare Prescription Payment Plan is a payment option that works with your current drug coverage to help you manage your out-of-pocket costs for drugs covered by your plan by spreading them across the calendar year (January–December).
Medicare drug plan or Medicare health plan with drug coverage (like a Medicare Advantage Plan with drug coverage) can use this payment option. All plans offer this payment option, and participation is voluntary.
If you select this payment option, each month you’ll continue to pay your plan premium (if you have one), and you’ll get a bill from your health or drug plan to pay for your prescription drugs (instead of paying the pharmacy). There’s no cost to participate in the Medicare Prescription Payment Plan.
Medicare Part D Extra Help or Low-Income Subsidy (LIS) Program: The Extra Help program helps people with limited income and resources lower or cut Part D costs. Medicare Part D provides drug coverage. The Extra Help program helps with the cost of your prescription drugs, like deductibles and copays. You can apply for Extra Help any time before or after you enroll in Part D.
To apply for LIS, patients can: - Apply for LIS
Call Social Security: (800) 772-1213–TTY: (800) 325-0778
Visit their local Social Security office - Find a local office
Save Money on Prescription Costs with Medicare's Extra Help Program (VIDEO)
Medicare Advantage Versus Medigap Coverage: People with Medicare can get their health coverage through Original Medicare or a Medicare Advantage plan. (MA) plan. Learn the difference between Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage Plans.