Marci's Medicare Answers

August 2009

Dear Marci,

I am wondering if Medicare will cover my hepatitis B vaccination. I am going to India in the fall and would like to receive the shot before I go.

—Zahava

Dear Zahava,

If you are at medium to high risk for hepatitis B (you have kidney failure, hemophilia or travel to countries with high rates of the disease), Medicare will cover 80 percent of the cost of your hepatitis B vaccine after you pay your annual Part B deductible.

—Marci

Dear Marci,

My father is hard-of-hearing. I would like to install a flashing doorbell signal so that he can tell when someone is at the door. Will Medicare pay for this?

—Kristin

Dear Kristin,

No. Medicare generally does not pay for any assistive equipment that is not strictly “medically necessary.” Medicare will never cover home modifications (like the installation of a stairlift or grab bars near the toilet or tub) or assistive devices (like large-button telephones or in your case, flashing doorbell signals for the hard-of-hearing).

Medicare will cover durable medical equipment (DME)—equipment that is medically necessary, able to withstand repeated use, and is generally not useful to someone in the absence of illness or injury. DME includes items like wheelchairs, walkers, scooters and hospitals beds.

—Marci

Dear Marci,

I applied for a Medicare Savings Program a few months ago, and was told that I did not qualify because I had too much in my savings account. My sister applied for one recently, and was told she qualified. But she has more savings than I do. Was I given wrong information?

—Kelly

Dear Kelly,

Does your sister live in a different state? Eligibility for Medicare Savings Programs (MSPs)—programs that help pay for the out-of-pocket costs of Medicare—is based on your income and assets. However, income and asset limits can vary by state. Most states deny MSP coverage to individuals with incomes above $1,219 per month ($1,640 for a couple) in 2009. But in some states, there is no asset limit eligibility requirement for some or all MSPs.  For programs that have no asset test, savings will not be counted. Call your local Medicaid office or SHIP (State Health Insurance Assistance Program) for more information about eligibility requirements. You can also see the MSP income limits for each state here: http://www.medicareinteractive.org/uploadedDocuments/mi_extra/msp_chart.html

—Marci

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Marci’s Medicare Answers is a service of the Medicare Rights Center (www.medicarerights.org), the nation’s largest independent source of information and assistance for people with Medicare. To subscribe to “Dear Marci,” MRC’s free educational e-newsletter, click here.

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