Each year Original Medicare implements changes to Medicare Part A (hospital insurance) & Part B (supplementary medical insurance). One of the most significant changes for 2008 is the increase in the amount of the inpatient hospital deductible; it is now $1,024 for the first 60 days. In addition, if a beneficiary is in the hospital for days 61 to 90, he or she will be responsible for paying $256 per day.

The Part B deductible increased significantly less to $135. Part B covers doctors' services; inpatient and outpatient medical services; surgical services and supplies; physical and speech therapy; ambulance services; diagnostic tests; diabetes testing supplies; and more. The Medicare beneficiary is responsible for the first $135 in bills for covered services before Medicare contributes. Once the $135 deductible is met for covered services in 2008, Medicare will pay 80% of an approved amount for the rest of the covered bills.

Over the last several years, Medicare has added preventive services in an effort to keep beneficiaries healthy. A new preventive service for 2008 is the inclusion of the shingles vaccine in Medicare Part D (prescription drug coverage). There are many different Part D plans, so the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid suggest the beneficiary's first step is to contact their plan administrator to establish if the service is covered under their plan and how much the charge will be.

Zostavax, the shingles vaccine, is expensive and has a very short shelf life. A doctor may be unable to store it in his or her office or may refuse to purchase and store such a costly vaccine. The procedure for those doctors who do not store the vaccine requires the doctor to get the vaccine from a pharmacy. These arrangements need to be worked out by either the doctor's office or the pharmacy.

Medicare options and choices have become more complex than ever before. Help for Medicare beneficiaries is available in Broome County by calling Action for Older Persons (AOP) at 607-722-1251 to set up a free, confidential counseling appointment with a HIICAP counselor.