Medicare Ombudsman

How We Can Help You With Medicare

The Medicare Ombudsman’s office will provide you with objective information, in English or Spanish, on Medicare benefits, HMOs, supplemental insurance policies, Medicare Part D plans, and beneficiaries' rights. Help is provided for clarifying plan choices, filing appeals for denials of coverage, answering questions, and a variety of other services. Written information is also available on a wide variety of Medicare issues.

The Medicare Ombudsman is available for phone consultations or one-on-one appointments. We also provide educational presentations to groups of any size on a variety of Medicare related topics. For questions or to set up a consultation call us at: 303-441-1546

"New To Medicare" Classes

First Thursday of each month from 2-4pm in Boulder; third Monday of each month from 10 am - noon in Longmont.
Call 303-441-1546 for more details and to sign up.  For Longmont classes, call 303-678-6113.

Medicare is more complicated than ever before. "Do I need Part B when I have a retirement plan?" "How do I choose the best Part D plan for my drugs?" "What is the difference between the Advantage Plans and the Supplement Plans?" "What will Medicare cover?"

This popular class is held monthly, for small groups of individuals who are just beginning Medicare. There is time for both a group presentation as well as meeting with a Medicare Ombudsman to answer your individual questions. We will cover common consumer questions and choices for people just getting on Medicare.

New!

Network of Care identifies all kinds of services and resources available in Boulder County.  Included in the Network are a comprehensive service directory, a library, a political advocacy tool and community message boards. For more information, please visit www.bouldercountyhelp.org

Resources:

    Medicare - General

1. Medicare Premiums and Deductibles for 2010 (pdf)
2. The Big Picture (from Colorado Division of Insurance)(pdf)
3. My Medicare Preventive Benefits Checklist (pdf)
4. mymedicare.gov - for access to your Medicare claims information, go to website and sign up for a password
5. www.medicare.gov/caregivers - link to resources for caregivers including navigating Medicare, billing, care options, financial assistance and other relevant topics.
6. www.copera.org/pdf/2/2-104-09.pdf - for PERA retirees; link to 2009 PERA Care Health Benefits Medicare Coverage booklet
7. www.opm.gov/insure/health/medicare/index.asp - for federal retirees; link to Medicare and FEHB information

Medicare Supplements / Medigaps

1. Medigap Options for Colorado Consumers (from Colorado Division of Insurance)(pdf)

2. www.covercolorado.org -look for supplemental insurance for people with disabilities unable to get a private supplement

Medicare Advantage Plans / Health Plans

1. Steps in Choosing Medicare Advantage Plans: 2010 (pdf)
2. How to Compare Medicare Advantage Plans Using www.medicare.gov (pdf)
3. Medicare Advantage Consumer Toolkit (pdf)

Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Insurance

1. Medicare Drug Insurance and You - Colorado Options 2010 (from Colorado Division of Insurance) (pdf)

 
2. Medicare Prescription Drug Search Manual (pdf)
   A manual to help you use the www.medicare.gov website to get prescription plan comparisons

Help with Costs

1. SSA Extra Help on-line information to determine if you can get help with costs of having a Medicare Part D drug plan; on-line application at www.ssa.gov/prescriptionhelp/
2. www.benefitscheckup.org - see what programs you may be eligible for

Local Resources

1. Primary Care Providers in Boulder County who are accepting Medicare Patients (as of 9/08) (pdf)
2. Medicare Participating Physicians and Suppliers 2009 Directory, provided by Colorado's Medicare Contractor, Trailblazer
3. Network of Care at www.bouldercountyhelp.org
4. Medicare Prescription Drug Plans in 2009 and Key Changes Since 2006: Summary of Findings (pdf)
5. www.MedicaidBoulderCounty.org

Long Term Care

1. Long-Term Care Planning: Colorado Options (pdf)
2. Colorado Long Term Care Partnership policies that provide fro asset preservation, visit www.colorado.gov/cs/Satellite?c=Page&childpagename=HCPF-ColoradoLTCPartnership/CLTCPLayout&cid=1198227699631&pagename=CLTCPWrapper

Consumer Advocacy / Public Policy Resources

1. Recent Legislative Changes Affecting Medicare Advantage (pdf)
2. www.Medicarerights.org
3. www.MedicareAdvocacy.org
4. Kaiser Family Foundation - www.kff.org/medicare/index.cfm
5. Medicare Prescription Drug Plans in 2009 and Key Changes Since 2006: Summary of Findings (pdf)
    
6. Broker Compensation Figures for Enrolling Consumers in Medicare Advantage Plans, provided by CMS