Your Medicare Benefits is a new booklet published by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). It's an official government guide containing important information about the services and supplies Original Medicare covers, how much you will pay for those services and supplies, and where to get more information.

The 58-page publication (CMS Product No. 10116, revised January 2011) explains how to get those benefits through Original Medicare Part A (hospital insurance) and Part B (medical insurance).

The 2010 Affordable Care Act makes many changes to Medicare, adding benefits and coverage. Many of these changes, such as additional preventive services and lower co-insurance payments for some treatments, are noted in the booklet.

The guide includes a list of topics, detailed in an easy-to-use alphabetical format. The list includes handy page references to facilitate quickly finding all information on a given topic.

If you have a question about an item or service that isn't listed in the booklet, visit www.medicare.gov and select "Find Out What Medicare Covers." You may also call 800-633-4227 (TTY 877-486-2048).

Other Medicare booklets provide even more detailed information on many of the items and services mentioned in this guide. For a list of specific publications, see pages 51-52 of the guide.

Your Medicare Benefits is not a legal document. Official Medicare program legal guidance is contained in the relevant statues, regulations, and rulings. Medicare recipients should also note that the information in the booklet was correct when it was printed, but changes may occur after printing. Call Medicare or visit the Medicare Web site to get the most current information.

Free publications about Medicare and related topics
You may view or print electronic copies online at www.medicare.gov. Under "Resource Locator," select "Publications" to search by keyword (such as "rights" or "mental health") or select "View All Publications."

Links to specific publications on many topics are detailed in Your Medicare Benefits.

You may also order printed copies of Medicare publications by visiting www.medicare.gov. If the publication has a check box after "Order Publication," you can order it. To order by phone, call 800-633-4227. Say "Publications" to learn whether a copy is available. TTY users should call 800-486-2048.

Go paperless!
Sign up at mymedicare.gov to get your next free copy of a separate publication, "Medicare & You," electronically (CMS Product No. 10050-13). If you sign up, in October you'll get an e-mail from Medicare linking you to "Medicare & You" online, instead of a paper copy in your mailbox.

You'll reduce clutter and help save tax dollars while getting the latest, most up-to-date official Medicare information. If you need a paper handbook in the future, you can get one by calling 800-633-4227.

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