Glossary

(See State Health Insurance Assistance Program.)

The 3 months immediately before you are entitled to Medicare Part A and enrolled in Part B. You may choose a Medicare health plan during your Initial Coverage Election Period. The plan must accept you unless it has reached its limit in the number of members. This limit is approved by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. The Initial Coverage Election Period is different from the Initial Enrollment Period (IEP). (See Election Periods; Enrollment/Part A; Initial Enrollment Period (IEP).)

The IEP is the first chance you have to enroll in Part B or Part A (if you don't get it automatically without paying a premium). Your IEP starts 3 months before you first meet all the eligibility requirements for Medicare and continues for 7 months. The Initial Enrollment Period is different from the Initial Coverage Election Period. (See Enrollment/Part A; Election Periods; Initial Coverage Election Period.)

A questionnaire sent to you when you become eligible for Medicare to find out if you have other insurance that should pay your medical bills before Medicare.

Health care that you get when you are admitted to a hospital.

When a health plan has no money or other means to stay open and give health care to patients.

A private company that contracts with Medicare to pay Medicare Part A bills. (See Fiscal Intermediary.)

A doctor who finds and treats health problems in adults.