Medicare information changes frequently. For the most up-to-date information, please refer to “Your Medicare Coverage” on the official government Website for Medicare. Also, use the Medicare website to find Medicare-approved drug discount cards.

Medicare Watch – according to the latest report of its Board of Trustees, Medicare Part A (hospital insurance) trust funds will remain solvent until 2019 (or 1 year later than reported last year). At that time, Medicare payroll-tax revenues will be sufficient to pay only 79% of the Part A expected costs. Medicare’s administrative costs represent 1.5% of its total expenditures.

Medicare Part B, which pays doctors’ bills and other outpatient expenses, and Part D, which pays for prescription drug coverage, are both projected to remain adequately financed into the indefinite future because current law automatically sets financing each year to meet next year’s expected costs. However, this automatic provision will result in a rapidly growing amount of general revenue financing – projected to rise from 1.3 percent of GDP today to 4.7 percent in 2081 – as well as substantial increases over time in beneficiary premium charges.

Former President Truman was the first person enrolled in the Medicare program.

General Information on Medicare

1. Apply for Medicare at a Social Security Office in Southern Illinois
2. Benefits, Premium, and Co-Pay Information (eligibility guidelines & services covered)
3. Health care issues
4. Help with Medicare’s Premiums and Co-Pay
5. Illinois Benefits checkup
6. Medical Equipment Suppliers in Southern Illinois
7. Medicare Fraud
8. Medicare Part C - Medicare Advantage Plans
9. Medicare Prescription Drug Plans (Part D)
10. Medicare & You handbook
11. Medigap Insurance Q&A
12. Medigap Insurance Comparison of Plans
13. My.Medicare.gov
14. Nursing Home Costs, Who Pays?
15. Prescription Drug Programs - non-Medicare
16. Website for Illinois Foundation for Quality Health care (quality issues and appeals in Illinois).
17. Website for Medicare (federal Medicare website).
18. Website for Medicare Part B (for Illinois & Wisconsin).
19. Website for Senior Health Insurance Program (SHIP program in Illinois).