Gretna Medical Center of of the West Bank in New Orleans is a proud provider for Medicare patients. We have been in operation for over 20 years in the West Bank and have a history of providing for our senior citizens. This article contains information that might be helpful to senior citizens looking for more information on Louisiana medicare. For any questions, please feel free to call us.

What is Medicare?

Medicare is a federal health insurance program run by the Centers of Medicare and Medicaid Services, which is an agency of the U.S. Department of Health And Human Services. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, in turn, is controlled by Congress. Medicare serves individuals who are 65 years of age and older, but also for those individuals who are under the age of 65 and are disabled.

What is the purpose of Medicare?

The purpose of Medicare is to help pay a portion of medical expenses and was never intended to pay the complete amount of a medical bill, which is why Medicare beneficiaries pay a portion of their medical expenses. The portion that beneficiaries pay themselves would include services not covered by Medicare, co-payments, and deductibles

What Are The Parts To Medicare?

Medicare Part A is hospital insurance, which helps pay for some home health care, hospice care, and inpatient care in a hospital or skilled nursing facility.
Medicare Part B is medical insurance, which helps pay for medical services and supplies that are not covered by Part A, and helps pay for doctors not covered by Part A as well.
Medicare Part C is Medicare Advantage, which is also known as Medicare + Choice in some areas. This page lists the names parishes in Louisiana and each link can take you to a page of Medicare Advantage Plans in your parish.
Medicare Part D is prescription drug coverage and this helps pay for medications that have been prescribed for treatments.

What is SHIIP?

Senior Health Insurance Information Program, or SHIIP, is a program designed to help Medicare recipients understand their coverage and benefits under Medicare. This can be done by talking to counselors over the phone or by interactive face-to-face meetings. These consultations are free. The phone number for SHIIP is (255) 342-5301 or at 1-888-544-7966

Are There Any Programs That Help With Costs?

There are programs in Louisiana the help with the costs of Medicare. The Medicare Savings Program helps eligible individuals who are low-income to pay for Medicare with Medicaid. Individuals may be eligible for Medicaid depending on their income and assets. Medicaid is a program that helps pay for medical services for those who meet specific requirements. The phone number for Medicaid is 1-888-342-6207 and the phone number for Louisiana Answers is 1-877-340-9100.

Another program is the VA Prescription Benefit where veterans who have been honorably discharged can order monthly maintenance drugs and still use Medicare Part D for other prescriptions. The phone number for this program is 1-877-222-8387.

The SeniorRx Program helps qualified low-income seniors with discount prescription drugs that come directly from the drug manufacturers themselves. Seniors can even get assistance from counselors for enrollment and drug plan comparisons.

While there are low-cost prescription drugs from a number of national pharmacies, and people can call their pharmacist to see if that pharmacy is participating and what medications are included., there is also a directory called the Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association Free Medications Directory. There are many drug companies that provide medications that are either free or low-cost to those in need no matter what age and the application process is different for each company. They do, however, require the individual to not have insurance that covers prescription drugs on an outpatient basis, that the individual does not qualify for government assistance and that the person’s income is within their guidelines.

The phone numbers for the Medicare Savings Program, SHIIP, and Louisiana Answers are:

Medicare Savings Program: 1-888-342-6207
SHIIP 1-800-259-5300
Louisiana Answers: 1-877-340-9100