Release Date: June 2001
FREE MEDICARE INFORMATION
"Accredited," "Certified," "Grievance," Evidence." What do all these words have to do with getting your Medicare benefits? Plenty. And unless you know what those terms mean, you may not be getting all the benefits you've earned. You can decode these words with help from the agencies that administer Medicare.
The Health Care Financing Administration and the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, both part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, have prepared three free companion booklets that will help you understand Medicare and how to get all the benefits you deserve. Choosing a Doctor has the information you need to find the right physician, with worksheets to help you decide what you want in a doctor, questions to ask, and much more. Choosing Treatments provides concrete steps and worksheets to help you work with your doctor to develop the best treatment plan for your health problem. And, Choosing a Hospital has valuable tips on choosing the best possible facility when you or a family member needs hospital care.
Your choice of a hospital may depend on your doctor. But, it may also depend on how you get your Medicare health care. For example, if you are in the Original Medicare Plan, you may use any hospital that accepts Medicare patients. If you are in a Medicare managed care plan, in most cases you can only use hospitals that belong to your plan. Before you choose a Medicare managed care plan, you may want to think about which hospitals you would like to use. Or, if you are in a Private Fee-for-Service plan, you may use any hospital that accepts the plan's payment terms.
Learn more with the "Free Medicare Information" package. There are three easy ways to get your free publications:
- Call toll-free 1 (888) 8 PUEBLO. That's 1 (888) 878-3256, weekdays 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET and ask for the "Free Medicare Information" package.
- Send your name and address to Free Medicare Information, Pueblo, Colorado 81009.
- Visit www.pueblo.gsa.gov and read or print these and hundreds of other FCIC publications for free.
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YOUR FAMILY DISASTER SUPPLIES KIT
A hurricane, earthquake, tornado or any other disaster could cut off basic services to your home - gas, water, electricity and telephones - for days. You family will cope best by preparing for disaster before it strikes. Get ready with Your Family Disaster Supplies Kit from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). This booklet lists the kinds of foods, first aid supplies, tools, and other items you should stock up on to get through an emergency. Find out how to store your supplies and how to transport them in the event of an evacuation. To learn more, go to www.pueblo.gsa.gov. Click on the red "And More" button on the left side of your screen. Scroll down to Your Family Disaster Supplies Kit, and get the facts. This is only one of hundreds of publications online at www.pueblo.gsa.gov - log on to read or print FCIC's publications for free.
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EATING DISORDERS
When should you worry about someone who won't eat, or someone who's eating too much? Learn the symptoms of different eating disorders such as Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa and Binge-Eating with the new publication Eating Disorders from the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). The booklet covers everything from who is most likely to be affected to various treatment options. For your free copy, call toll-free 1 (888) 8 PUEBLO, that's 1(888) 878-3256 and ask for Item 612H. Or send your name and address to the Federal Consumer Information Center, Dept. 612H, Pueblo, Colorado 81009. And visit www.pueblo.gsa.gov to read or print out this and hundreds of other FCIC publications for free.
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- Please check with Samantha Donaldson at (202) 501-1794 or by e-mail Samantha.Donaldson@gsa.gov if you plan to use this release after September 30, 2001.
- If you would like to receive these releases by e-mail send a request to samantha.donaldson@gsa.gov or call (202) 501-1794.
GSA # 2535
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