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December 7th marks the last day of the open enrollment period for Part D drug plans and Medicare Advantage plans. However, your job in guarding your Medicare card number and information continues. One of the best ways that you can do that is to keep track of your interactions with your health care providers.
The Missouri SMP (Senior Medicare Patrol) provides a free Personal Healthcare Journal to help you keep track of your doctors’ visits. The journal has space for you to record physicians’ information; appointments and questions for the doctor; and allergies, family history, medications and other healthcare information. There are places to record the services you received and answers to questions at each visit.
When you receive your explanation of benefits or Medicare Summary Notice, you can use the Personal Healthcare Journal to compare the date and services received at visits to those listed on your MSN or EOB. Read your medical billing statements regularly and completely. Check the name of the provider, the date of service, and the service provided. Do the claims paid match the care you received? Do they match the information you put in your Personal Healthcare Journal? If you see a mistake, call your provider. If your concerns still are not resolved, call the Missouri SMP for assistance.
To receive a complimentary Personal Healthcare Journal or to report suspected Medicare fraud, call the Missouri SMP at (888) 515-6565.
This project was supported, in part by grant number 90MPPG0040, from the U.S. Administration for Community Living, Department of Health and Human Services, Washington, D.C. 20201. Grantees undertaking projects under government sponsorship are encouraged to express freely their findings and conclusions. Points of view or opinions do not, therefore, necessarily represent official Administration for Community Living policy.