HMO Guide for Seniors - Office of the Patient Advocate - State of ...

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Questions & Answers
Do Medicare HMOs cover
diabetic supplies?
Yes. They cover test strips,
glucose meters, lancets, insulin,
insulin pumps, and therapeutic
shoes. You may pay a co-pay.
And there may be limits on
how many supplies you can
get and how often you can
get them.
What if my Medicare HMO
paid for a walker and now I
need a wheelchair?
If you can walk with the
walker, your HMO probably
will not pay for a wheelchair.
If you can no longer use a
walker, ask your doctor to
request a wheelchair.
What can I do if my
Medicare HMO won’t pay
for medical equipment that
my doctor and I think I need?
You can file an appeal. See
page 58.
things you can do
Your HMO Must Cover:
Most home care supplies if you have diabetes.
One pair of eyeglasses or contact lenses if you
have cataract surgery. Some HMOs cover
additional eye care.
Breast prostheses if you have a mastectomy.
Ostomy supplies that your doctor says you need.
An artificial limb if you lose an arm or leg.
A brace if you injure your arm, leg, back, or neck.
For More Information
For more information on what Medicare covers,
call 1-800-MEDICARE and ask for Pub. No.
11045. Or find the publication at
www.medicare.gov/publications.
For more information about equipment for people
with disabilities, call AT Network.
Look at your HMO’s Evidence of Coverage.
where to find help
1-800-Medicare
Information on coverage of medical equipment; ask
for Pub. No. 11045
1-800-633-4227
www.medicare.gov/publications
AT Network
Tools and assistive technology for seniors and
people with disabilities
1-800-390-2699 www.atnet.org