Insurance - Resources for Jewish Seniors in Greater Boston

General Insurance Information

BenefitsCheckUp

National Council on Aging
1901 L. Street
4th Floor
Washington, DC 20036
Phone: 202 479-1200
http://www.benefitscheckup.org/

The National Council on Aging manages this web based service to help older Americans find and enroll in benefit programs for those with limited income and resources. The BenefitsCheckUp identifies help with prescription drugs, medical costs, tax relief, and subsidized housing.

Family Caregiver Handbook

MIT Work Place Center
One Broadway
8th Floor
Cambridge, MA 02142
Phone: 617 253-7996
Fax: 617 452-2199
http://web.mit.edu/workplacecenter/hndbk/

The Family Caregiver Handbook was designed to assist families and friends of Massachusetts elders in finding information and accessing services. Click here to read the section on Health Care Insurance Coverage for Seniors.

Massachusetts Aging and Disabilities Information Locator

The Massachusetts Aging and Disabilities Information Locator was established to provide comprehensive information about basic needs for Massachusetts Residents.

Click here for information on general Financial Resources: Applying for Social Security Benefits, HUD explanation of Reverse Mortgages, Obtaining Cash Benefits and Options for Health Insurance in Massachusetts. 

Massachusetts Attorney General's Office

Health Care Link
One Ashburton Place
Boston, MA 02108
Phone: 617 727-8400

The Massachusetts General Attorney's Office has an Insurance and Health Care Consumer Helpline, 888-830-6277. Also, please click here for a list of general health care links for a Massachusetts resident. 

Long Term Care Coverage

Administration on Aging

National Clearinghouse for Long-Term Care Information
Washington, MA 20201
Phone: (202) 619-0724
Fax: (202) 357-3555
http://www.aoa.gov/

The National Clearinghouse for Long-Term Care Information is primarily intended as an information and planning resource for individuals who don't yet require long-term care, but it includes information on services and financing options that can be helpful to all individuals. This web site was developed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to provide information and resources to help you and your family plan for future long-term care (LTC) needs. Click here for a glossary of terms, links to other sites, and an understanding of long-term care.

Community Resources Information, Inc.

MassResources.org
P.O. Box 2067
Natick, MA 01760
http://www.massresources.org/

This is a free information website providing easy to understand information about Massachusetts' assistance programs. What benefits are available, how to apply, and eligibility requirements are included. Click here to read about Medicaid/MassHealth.

Massachusetts Executive Office of Elder Affairs

Serving the Health Information Needs of Elders (SHINE) Program
One Ashburton Place
Room 517
Boston, MA
Phone: 800 243-4636
http://mass.gov

Do you have questions about Medicare Savings Plans, Home and Community Bases Services Waivers, MassHealth Personal Care Attendent Program, Senior Care Options, PACE and MassHealth Buy-Ins? Please contact your local SHINE counselor.

The SHINE program is a state health insurance assistance program that provides free counseling, assistance, and information for Massachusetts residents. To find the SHINE office closest to you, click here.

Click here to enter the MassHealth Department site.

The Henry J. Kaiser Foundation

Considering ways to pay for Long-Term Care
Public Affairs
1330 G. Street NW
Washington, DC
Phone: 202 347-5270
http://www.kff.org

The Kaiser Family Foundation's website offers clear explanations on current health and insurance issues.

Click here to read "Consider ways to pay for long-term care."

 

Medicare

Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services

7500 Security Boulevard
Baltimore, MD 21244-1850
Phone: 800 633-4227
http://www.medicare.gov

This is the government site for people with Medicare. To order Medicare booklets call 800-633-4227. The site provides an easy to use mechanism to compare prescription drug plans and formularies.

Massachusetts Executive Office of Elder Affairs

Serving the Health Information Needs of Elders (SHINE) Program
One Ashburton Place
Room 517
Boston, MA
Phone: 800 243-4636
http://mass.gov

The SHINE program is a state health insurance assistance program that provides free one to one counseling, assistance, and information to people with Medicare and their families. Office hours are different at every site. Call 800-243-4636 to find the closest site to you. 

To read more about Medicare, Medigap, and HMO's, please use this guide to get you started.

The Massachusetts Guide to Health Insurance  Choices (PDF) booklet was developed by SHINE to provide an overview of health insurance choices available to medicare beneficiaries of all ages.

MassMedLine

25 Foster Street
Worcester, MA
Phone: 866 633-1617
http://www.massmedline.com/

As a Massachusetts resident, you can call the staff of pharmacy professionals who have been trained to answer your questions about your prescription medicines and work with you and your doctor to try to reduce the cost. Interpreter services are available. You can call between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. MassMedline is a partnership of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Executive Office of Elder Affairs and Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Services. 

Medicare Advocacy Center

Medicare Part D
1101 Vermont Avenue
N.W., Suite 1001
Washington, DC 2005
Phone: 202 216-0119
http://www.medicareadvocacy.org/

Click here to obtain a technical explanation of Medicare Part D Drug Coverage.

The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation

Talking about Medicare Guide
Public Affairs
1330 G. Street NW
Washington, DC 20005
Phone: 203 347-5270
http://www.kff.org

The Kaiser Family Foundation's website offers clear explanations on current health and insurance issues.

Click here to read "Talking about Medicare: Your Guide to Understanding the Program, 2008."