For more information about Medicare and COVID-19,  view the SHIIP--SMP factsheets Medicare & COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Update. and Enrolling in Medicare During COVID-19.

Make your health a priority. Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance) covers a “Welcome to Medicare” preventive visit once within the first 12 months you have Part B. If you’ve had Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance) for longer than 12 months, you can get a yearly “Wellness” visit once every 12 months to develop or update a personalized prevention plan. 

Contact your local SHIIP for personalized, one-on-one counseling and assistance with understanding how Medicare works with your other insurance, including how to avoid late enrollment penalties. 

Be aware of genetic testing scams. If you are approached by someone out in the public to swab your cheek for genetic/DNA/cancer testing, deny it. Medicare only covers this type of testing in rare, medically necessary cases.  Contact your local Iowa Senior Medicare Patrol at 1-800-351-4664 (TTY 1-800-735-2942) for more information.
 

Medicare fraud puts the future of Medicare at risk. Medicare loses billions of dollars each year due to fraud, errors and abuse. Estimates place these losses at approximately $60 billion annually, though the exact figure is impossible to measure. You can help the fight against Medicare fraud by sharing this information with your friends and family.
 

New to Medicare? Medicare can be confusing. It's okay to get help. Contact your SHIIP at 1-800-351-4664(TTY 1-800-735-2942)or email SHIIP--SMP at shiip@iid.iowa.gov.

How SHIIP--SMP Helped Me

For some, The SHIIP--SMP program's in-person help was essential for understanding the complexities of Medicare and making good choices.  For others, SHIIP--SMP education helped them save on their health care costs.