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50+ ways you can save 
Understand your Medicare benefits
Information is power. The more you know about your Medicare benefits, the more opportunities you'll have to save money within the system.
Medicare is a federal health care insurance program for those 65 and older, and some disabled people. Health care providers bill Medicare for your services, then they bill you for what Medicare does not pay.
The Medicare system has two parts.
• Part A (hospital insurance): covers hospital room, board, general nursing and other related services; hospice, home health and limited nursing home costs. Seniors pay no premium for Part A, but they do pay a co-payment.
• Part B (medical insurance): covers inpatient and outpatient physician services, diagnostic tests, physical and speech therapy, home health care, medical supplies, ambulance and other services. Participants pay a monthly premium, which is deducted from their social security checks. Again, participants are responsible for a co-payment, which is generally 20 percent.
Look for a doctor who accepts Medicare
Though you may need to travel farther to locate a doctor, you can minimize the expenses you'll pay for medical attention by finding a doctor who agrees to accept Medicare payments, along with your co-payment, as payment in full.
Time is also money, and you'll save plenty of time by finding a doctor who accepts Medicare. In many cases, participating doctors will handle all the Medicare claims paperwork themselves. If you go to a nonparticipating doctor, you'll have to file the claims yourself.
Appeal your Medicare reimbursement
If your Medicare reimbursement comes in less than the doctor's bill, leaving you to pay the difference, you don't have to pay without a fight. You can appeal to Medicare and may have reimbursement changed.
According to one statistic more than half of Medicare recipients in Maryland who filed appeals received more money from the government. To file an appeal, call your local Social Security Administration office for the correct forms, which you must file with your insurance carrier.
Know what's not covered under Medicare
A common misconception is that Medicare pays all medical bills for seniors. It does not cover outpatient prescription drugs, care outside the U.S., dental care, checkups, routine foot care, glasses or hearing aids.
Look for medical equipment discounts
Some medical supply houses offer discounts to people over 65. If you need medical equipment not covered by Medicare, including transfer benches, bathroom handrails or shower seats, these discounts, which range from 10 percent to 40 percent, can really pay off.
Don’t use old medication
You won't save money by substituting the old, leftover prescriptions on your bathroom shelf for your new prescriptions, even when they're the same medicine. Medications carry expiration dates for good reason. Ignoring them could cost you plenty.
Share a home with other seniors
This alternative to a nursing home offers a warm, caring environment within one's own community, among other seniors. It prevents loneliness and provides great opportunities for cost savings, plus each member of the home feels a sense of independence and contribution to helping each other. Often, these homes are jointly sponsored by a community housing project or nonprofit organization.
For more information about group living for the elderly, call
202-434-2277 or write to the following address:
American Association of Retired Persons Consumer Issues
601 E Street NW
Washington, DC 20049.
Try senior day care
Another way to remain at home and in your community is to spend the day at the new private nonprofit senior day centers. Services there include social and educational activities, nutritional care, free health screening, dental and hearing check ups, and companionship with other seniors. At many centers, transportation is provided from home and back again in the evening.
To find out more about these subsidized social programs, call your community's social services agency.
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