Medicare resources

Turn to these resources for additional information and assistance on programs and/or services that are available.

Office of Healthy Aging

The Office of Healthy Aging is a state program that gives free local health insurance counseling to people with Medicare.

Rhode Island Office of Healthy Aging
Senior Health Insurance Program
25 Howard Ave. Building 57
Cranston, RI 02920

Phone: (401) 462-3000
8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday
TTY/TDD for hearing impaired: (401) 462-0740
This number requires special telephone equipment and is only for people who have difficulties with hearing or speaking.
Website: oha.ri.gov

Employer (or “Group”) Coverage

If you or your spouse receive benefits from a current or former employer or union, call the employer/union benefits administrator or BCBSRI Customer Service if you have any questions about your employer/union benefits, plan premiums, or the open enrollment season.

Important Note: Your (or your spouse’s) employer/union benefits may change, or you (or your spouse) may lose the benefits, if you enroll in a plan with Medicare Part D drug coverage. Call your employer/union benefits administrator or BCBSRI Customer Service to find out whether the benefits will change or be terminated if you or your spouse enroll in a plan with Medicare Part D drug coverage.

Medicaid

Medicaid is a state government program that helps with medical costs for some people with limited incomes and resources. Some people with Medicare are also eligible for Medicaid. Medicaid has programs that can help pay for your Medicare premiums and other costs, if you qualify. You may also contact the Medicaid office to inquire about your LIS status or level. To find out more about Medicaid and its programs, contact:

RI Executive Office of Health and Human Services
3 West Road
Hazard Building, #74, 1st floor
Cranston, RI 02920

Phone: (401) 462-5274
8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday
TTY/TDD for hearing impaired: 711
This number requires special telephone equipment and is only for people who have difficulties with hearing or speaking.
Website: eohhs.ri.gov

The Medicare Program

Medicare is the federal health insurance program for people 65 years of age or older, some people under age 65 with disabilities, and people with End Stage Renal Disease (permanent kidney failure requiring dialysis or a kidney transplant). CMS is the federal agency in charge of the Medicare program. CMS stands for Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. CMS contracts with and regulates Medicare Health Plans (including Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island.) Here are ways to get help and information about Medicare from CMS:

Phone: 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
TTY/TDD for hearing impaired: 1-877-486-2048
This number requires special telephone equipment and is only for people who have difficulties with hearing or speaking.
Website: medicare.gov

The Point

The Point provides information, referrals, and help getting started with programs and services for seniors, adults with disabilities, and their caregivers.

ADRC/The Point
50 Valley Street
Providence, RI 02909

Phone: (401) 462-4444
Website: uwri.org/2-1-1/the-point/

Quality Improvement Organization

"QIO" stands for Quality Improvement Organization. The QIO is a group of doctors and health professionals in your state that reviews medical care and handles certain types of complaints from patients with Medicare, and is paid by the federal government to check on and help improve the care given to Medicare patients. There is a QIO in each state. The QIO in Rhode Island is KEPRO. The doctors and other health experts in the QIO review certain types of complaints made by Medicare patients. These include complaints about quality of care and appeals filed by Medicare patients who think the coverage for their hospital, skilled nursing facility, home health agency, or comprehensive outpatient rehabilitation stay is ending too soon. You may contact the following:

KEPRO
5201 West Kennedy Blvd. Suite 900
Tampa FL 33609
Phone: 1-888-319-8452
9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday and Saturday & Sunday 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
TTY/TDD for hearing impaired: 711
This number requires special telephone equipment and is only for people who have difficulties with hearing or speaking.
Website: keproqio.com

Railroad Retirement Board

If you get benefits from the Railroad Retirement Board, you may contact them.

Phone: Call your local Railroad Retirement Board Office or 1-877-772-5772.
TTY/TDD for hearing impaired: (312) 751-4701
This number requires special telephone equipment and is only for people who have difficulties with hearing or speaking.
Website: www.rrb.gov

Rhode Island Pharmaceutical Assistance to the Elderly

Rhode Island Pharmaceutical Assistance to the Elderly (RIPAE) is the State Pharmacy Assistance Program (SPAP) – an organization that provides financial help for prescription drugs to limited-income and medically needy senior citizens and individuals.

Rhode Island Pharmaceutical Assistance Programs
25 Howard Ave., Building 57
Cranston, RI 02920

Phone: (401) 462-0560
TTY/TDD for hearing impaired: (401) 462-0740
This number requires special telephone equipment and is only for people who have difficulties with hearing or speaking.
Website: Rhode Island Pharmaceutical Assistance to the Elderly (RIPAE)

Social Security

Social Security programs include retirement benefits, disability benefits, family benefits, survivors' benefits, and benefits for the aged and blind. You may also contact Social Security to inquire about your LIS status or level.

Phone: 1-800-772-1213
TTY/TDD for hearing impaired: 1-800-325-0778
This number requires special telephone equipment and is only for people who have difficulties with hearing or speaking.
Website: ssa.gov