You may file an appeal if you disagree with a coverage or payment decision made by Medicare or by your Medicare health or prescription drug plan. You may appeal  if you receive a denial any of the following:

Your Medicare plan automatically renews at the beginning of each year unless you change it, but you might not get exactly the same benefits. Insurance companies review and refine their Medicare plan benefits annually.

Your Medicare Wellness Visit, also called a wellness exam, is when you and your doctor put your undivided attention on your health. You’re not there because you’re sick or in pain or needing a prescription. And your doctor is not there to diagnose or treat a health problem.

Medicare Part B generally covers a screening blood test for cholesterol once every five years. You pay nothing for the test if your doctor accepts Medicare assignment and takes Medicare’s payment as payment in full.

Original Medicare (Parts A & B) may cover medically necessary care on a cruise ship, if the ship you’re on when you receive the care is in U.S. waters. That means the ship needs to be within six hours of a U.S. port. Also, the doctor must be legally allowed to provide medical services on a cruise ship.

When it comes to learning about Medicare, sometimes talking with someone face-to-face is helpful.  During National Medicare Education Week, September 15–21, UnitedHealthcare and leading health and wellness organizations will host local community educational events. The events are free and open to the public.

Current beneficiaries can switch to Medicare Advantage (Part C) from Original Medicare (Parts A & B), or vice versa, during the Medicare Annual Enrollment Period. If you want to make a switch, it requires some additional decisions. The specific decisions depend on what coverage you’re switching to and from.

Get to know Medicare during National Medicare Education Week, September 15–21. The goal of National Medicare Education Week is to help empower Medicare beneficiaries, new to Medicare individuals and caregivers to make confident and informed decisions. This year, you can attend a local event in your community, and Medicare Made Clear will offer three online webinars focusing on key Medicare topics.

Medicare covers most vaccines. Some are covered by Part B, and some are covered by Part D.