Chapter 5: Health and Mental Health
Section 1: Medicare
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
Medicare is the health benefit available to persons receiving Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Social Security retirement and to some other connected individuals.
Medicare generally covers Durable Medical Equipment (DME) that:
- Can stand repeated use;
- Is primarily and customarily used to serve a medical purpose;
- Is generally not useful to a person in absence of illness or injury; and
- Is appropriate for use in the home.
Medicare typically pays 80% of the Medicare allowable charge for an item or service. The patient may have to pay a deductible and co-payment. A doctor's prescription and in some cases a Certificate of Medical Necessity are required for Medicare payment for medical equipment.
Palmetto Government Benefits Administration handles Durable Medical Equipment (DME) claims for Medicare in this region. Questions on Medicare DME coverage can be directed to 800-213-5452.
Select a state supplier list at this site. The suppliers listed are those who have agreed to accept what Medicare pays and to charge the patient no more than the Medicare allowable charge. The beneficiary still must pay the normal Medicare co-payment for medical equipment, but "participating" suppliers will not charge more than that.
Note: Medicare beneficiaries can also use "non-participating" Durable Medical Equipment (DME) suppliers who have Medicare supplier numbers. These suppliers have not agreed to charge no more than the Medicare allowable charge. For a list of both "participating" and "non-participating" DME suppliers go to the following link: https://www.medicare.gov/what-medicare-covers/part-b/competitive-bidding....
Medicare and You, the Medicare Handbook
Medicare Fraud
To report Medicare fraud, call 1-800-MEDICARE or follow this link to the Medicare Fraud webpage, https://www.medicare.gov/forms-help-and-resources/report-fraud-and-abuse....
Durable Medical Equipment (DME) Center
Palmetto Government Benefits Administration handles Durable Medical Equipment (DME) claims for Medicare in this region. Questions on Medicare DME coverage can be directed to 800-213-5452. For more information on Durable Medical Equipment follow this link, https://www.medicare.gov/what-medicare-covers/part-b/durable-medical-equ....
https://www.cms.gov/About-CMS/Agency-Information/RegionalOffices/Downloa...
The Dallas Regional Office (Region 6) should be your initial point of contact on any Medicare, Medicaid, or State Child Health Insurance Program (SCHIP). For general inquiries, use the telephone number listed below. For more specific issues, review the Contact List under the Downloads section at the bottom of this page.
CMS - Region 6
1301 Young St., Ste. 714
Dallas, TX 75202
214-767-6423 Voice
[email protected]
TTY:
Toll Free:
End Stage Renal Disease Network
Email:
[email protected]For questions about where to submit a complaint about quality of care received from a kidney dialysis facility.
Voice:
Toll Free:
Fax:
Medigap Plans Available in Oklahoma
For people with disabilities under the age of 65:
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Oklahoma
1400 S Boston
Tulsa, OK 74119
800-942-5837 Toll Free
www.bcbsok.com
Christian Fidelity Life Insurance Co
2721 N. Central Ave.
Phoenix, AZ 85004
888-863-6674 Toll Free
www.cflic.com
Combined Insurance Company of America
8750 Bryn Mawr Ave.
Chicago, IL 60631
800-225-4500 Toll Free
https://www.combinedinsurance.com/us-en/
Medigap A only
National States Insurance Company
2210 Missouri Boulevard
Jefferson City, MO 65109
573-634-8455
https://mo-iga.org/
New Era Life Insurance Companies
11720 Katy Freeway, Suite 1700
Houston, TX 77079
www.neweralife.com
Old Surety Life Insurance Co
5201 North Lincoln Boulevard
Oklahoma City, OK 73105-1804
800-272-5466 Toll Free
http://oldsurety.com/
Physicians Life Insurance Company
P.O. Box 3313.
Omaha, NE 68103-0313
800-228-9100 Toll Free
www.physiciansmutual.com/cs/home/home.html
Oklahoma Department of Human Services
Email:
[email protected]Oklahoma Human Services offers programs to help low-income seniors and persons with disabilities to apply for two programs that help pay for their Medicare expenses:
Low Income Subsidy (LIS) or "Extra Help"
If you are on Medicare and have trouble paying for your prescription medications you might qualify for this program
Eligibility varies depending on marital status, income, and resources
Everyone is encouraged to inquire
Medicare Savings Program
Depending on your particular situation you might qualify to have your Part A and/or Part B premiums reduced or eliminated
Diabetes Supplies & Services
Direct link: https://oklahoma.gov/okdhs/medicareandmeds/mippa.html
Hotlines:
Adult Abuse 800-522-3511
Child Abuse 800-522-3511
Child Support Customer Assistance 800-522-2922
Developmental Disabilities:
North and West Oklahoma 800-522-1064
North and East Oklahoma 800-522-1075
Central and South Oklahoma 800-522-1086
Website link to other hotline numbers:
http://www.okdhs.org/contactus/pages/DHSHotlines.aspx
Voice:
Toll Free:
Oklahoma Foundation for Medical Quality
Oklahoma Foundation for Medical Quality (OFMQ) is nonprofit, consulting company dedicated to advancing healthcare quality. They are experts in analytics, case review, education, health information technology, IT consulting, national quality measures, and quality improvement.
Voice:
Fax:
Oklahoma Hospice and Palliative Care Association
Email:
[email protected]The Oklahoma Hospice & Palliative Care Association (OHPCA) is the largest and most established organization in Oklahoma focusing solely on hospice and palliative care. They are leading the efforts to unify Oklahoma hospices with resources and information that will promote each hospice to provide quality compassionate hospice care to the terminally ill and their families.
Voice:
Pinnacle Medicare Services
Medicare Part B Carrier for Oklahoma: Information on Medicare Part B coverage, doctor services, outpatient care or other medical services; information on how to recognize Medicare fraud and abuse.
Toll Free:
Senior Health Insurance Counseling Program (SHIP)
The Senior Health Insurance Counseling Program (SHIP) is a non-profit organization helping to inform the public about Medicare and other senior health insurance issues. This division provides accurate and objective counseling, assistance, and advocacy relating to Medicare, Medicaid, Medicare supplements, Medicare Advantage, long-term care, and other related health coverage plans for Medicare beneficiaries, their representatives, or persons soon to be eligible for Medicare. Call their Senior Help Line at 1-800-763-2828 for assistance.