TOOL KIT FOR THE UNINSURED AND UNDERINSURED

Find out if you are eligible for Medicare and other health care options for seniors.

Medicare is for people age 65 and older and younger people with certain disabilities. Eligibility does not depend on income or assets, unlike most other government-funded programs. Part A of Medicare helps pay for hospital and skilled nursing facility care and is free. Medicare Part B provides payments for health care professionals and services and supplies they order. You have to pay a premium for Part B. For more information, go to www.medicare.gov or call this toll-free number: 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227).

The National Council on the Aging has several programs and services available to assist senior citizens with health coverage.

BenefitsCheckUp is a free, Web-based service designed to help patients, their families, caregivers and community organizations determine what benefits they qualify for and how to claim them. An online questionnaire is filled out, and a personalized report is issued within 15 minutes. Visit the Web site: www.benefitscheckup.org

The Access to Benefits Coalition is a public-private partnership dedicated to helping low-income beneficiaries learn about and make wise choices regarding new Medicare prescription drug benefits and other available, money-saving resources. Visit the Web site: www.accesstobenefits.org, or call: 202-479-6670.

Medicare RxBenefits Resource Center (developed in conjunction with WebMD) is a comprehensive online resource that helps Medicare-eligible seniors and their caregivers understand Medicare and other prescription drug assistance programs, check their eligibility for forms of assistance and select a Medicare drug plan. Visit the Web site: www.webmdmedicare.com.