General Information
The Office for the Aging is happy to assist you with health insurance questions or concerns. Our trained staff can answer questions regarding such programs as Medicare, Medicaid, EPIC, QMB, SLMB, as well as others. Staff at the Office for the Aging work in conjunction with the HIICAP program at Lifelong to meet the needs of older adults with health insurance problems or questions. Contact the Tompkins County Office for the Aging for more information.
Medicare
You can learn more about Medicare by visiting the Medicare website (www.medicare.gov) and clicking on "Basics" in the menu at the top of the homepage.
Managed Long Term Care
Medicare beneficiaries who are also eligible for Medicaid must enroll in a Managed Long Term Care (MLTC) plan to receive long term care services at home or in a care facility (such as help with bathing, dressing and other personal care services).
IF YOU ALREADY HAVE BOTH MEDICARE AND MEDICAID, and need help with personal care services, call the Conflict-Free Evaluation and Enrollment Center at 1-855-222-8350. A nurse will be sent to your house to do an evaluation. You will be told right away if you are approved for MLTC. If you are approved, you will need to choose which MLTC plan you wish to join.
There are two sources of assistance in choosing the particular MLTC plan that might work best for you:
ICAN: The Independent Consumer Advocacy Network (ICAN) assists people in enrolling in MLTC plans, gives advice about your managed care options as well as solves problems with your plan and providers that may come up after you enroll. They are not connected with any insurance plan.
NY Medicaid Choice: You can also call 1-888-401-6582 or go online to the NY Medicaid Choice website at www.nymedicaidchoice.com to get your questions answered.
IF YOU HAVE MEDICARE, BUT ARE NOT YET APPROVED FOR MEDICAID, you must first apply for Medicaid at the Tompkins County Department of Social Services (320 W. Martin Luther King, Jr./State St., Ithaca. 607-274-5356). While your application for Medicaid is pending, you can begin the process described above to be evaluated for needing personal care services.
2023 Medicaid Expansion Information
IMPORTANT ARTICLES & INFORMATION TO REVIEW:
- General Medicare Information
- Protect yourself from fraudulent and incorrect Medicare information
- Long Term Care Insurance Information
IMPORTANT WEBSITES: