Medicare Appeals

AN IMPORTANT RIGHT FOR MEDICARE BENEFICIARIES

Sometimes, Medicare beneficiaries feel they have been released from hospital, nursing home, home health agency or hospice care before they are ready to leave. All Medicare beneficiaries, whether covered under Original Medicare or a Medicare Advantage Plan, have appeal rights. This means that trained medical professionals will review the beneficiary’s medical record and decide whether the beneficiary has been released too soon or whether the timing of the release was correct.

Below are some steps to follow if you feel you are being released from a hospital, nursing home, home
health agency or hospice too soon:

• Talk to your doctor about continuing your care.
• Ask your case manager or social worker for an official (written) Medicare notice.
• Follow the instructions on the notice. Masspro‘s helpline telephone number will be on the notice.
• Masspro will ask you for your views and review your medical record.
• You’ll be informed of Masspro’s decision first by phone and then by mail. At that time, you will also receive information about other appeal rights.

Call Masspro’s helpline at 1-800-252-5533, or Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). You can call or you can ask a friend or family member to call for you.

Home Modification Loans

For Adults and Children with Disabilities and Elders

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts provides loans so you can:

Improve home accessibility and live in your home longer.

0% interest and 3% interest loans from $1,000 to $30,000 for access-related projects. The 0% loan does not need to be repaid until the home is sold or transferred!

For more information or to apply, contact Steve Scarano at MRC at 617-204-3724 or contact him by email at Steven.Scarano@state.ma.us

$4.00 Medications

Wal-Mart, Target, Hannafords and Walgreen's all have a variety of generic medications offered for $4.00 each a month ! Also, for those with computers, you can go to www.needymeds.org to get free or no cost medications.

Mass MedLine

There has been a recent increase in the development of new discount cards initiatives providing discounts on both brand and generic medications at pharmacies across the state. Some plans indicate that they are a ‘statewide initiative’ which may be misinterpreted by the consumer that the program is a product of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. There are multiple programs for patients to obtain their medications at an
affordable cost.

Please know that you can reach MassMedLine (toll free: 1-800-633-1617) as a trusted resource for all programs (federal, state and private) that provide assistance accessing medications and available plans.

MassMedLine is a result of a long-standing partnership between the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences and the Massachusetts Executive Office of Elder Affairs. Please use the toll-free help line, or click on the “Ask The Pharmacist” link on their website at http://www.mcphs.edu/impact/community-service-programs/pharmacy-outreach-program to ensure you are utilizing the programs that are best for you.

Senior Service Links

American Association for Retired Persons
AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan membership organization for people age 50 and over.
Benefits Check-Up
BenefitsCheckUp helps thousands every day to find programs for people ages 55 and over that may pay for some of their costs of prescription drugs, health care, utilities, and other essential items or services. Please fill out our simple questionnaire to find programs that can assist you or your loved ones.
Mass Home Care
Are you looking for eldercare information, or services for a family member or friend? Is care in the community your first choice? Mass Home Care can help you find what you need.
North Shore Elder Services
North Shore Elder Services (NSES) is a team of specialists making life easier for elders and those who care for them. We offer information, support, and solutions.
Senior Corps
Senior Corps is a network of programs that tap the experience, skills, and talents of older citizens to meet community challenges with Foster Grandparents, Senior Companions, and RSVP (Retired and Senior Volunteer Program).
SeniorNet
SeniorNet is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization of computer-using adults, age 50 and older. SeniorNet's mission is to provide older adults education for and access to computer technologies to enhance their lives and enable them to share their knowledge and wisdom.
The American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging
The American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging (AAHSA) is committed to advancing the vision of healthy, affordable, ethical long-term care for America. The association represents 5,600 mission-driven, not-for-profit nursing homes, continuing care retirement communities, assisted living and senior housing facilities, and community service organizations.

The National Senior Citizens Law Center
The National Senior Citizens Law Center advocates nationwide to promote the independence and well-being of low-income elderly individuals and persons with disabilities.

Dial 2-1-1 for Elderly Care

This is a statewide free confidential telephone service that connects callers to essential health and human services, such as a food pantry, or where to secure care for an aging parent.

This program is supported by the United Ways of Massachusetts. 2-1-1 is the dialing code for free access to health and human services Information and Referral. It provides an easy-to-remember and universally recognizable number that makes a critical connection between individuals and families seeking services or volunteer opportunities and the appropriate community based organizations and government agencies.

2-1-1 makes it possible for people to navigate the complex and every-growing maze of human service agencies and programs.

2-1-1 Services

211 is the national abbreviated dialing code for free access
to health and human services information.

Within the Commonwealth there are literally thousands of phone numbers for health and social service programs, government offices, community organizations, volunteer referral centers, donation clearinghouses, educational systems and neighborhood groups! This is a one-stopshopping program which also has access to updated disaster information, numerous post-disaster programs, interpreter services and also has the ability to act as the registration site for spontaneous volunteers and donations from the public during an emergency or crisis.