Need Help with Medicare or Medicaid? Michigan Residents Get Free Help from MMAP

MMAP’s Objective

Michigan Medicare/Medicaid Assistance Program (MMAP) is a free health-benefit counseling service. Since 1984, MMAP has provided education and counseling assistance to Michigan’s Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries and their families or representatives.

MMAP accomplishes its mission through 46 MMAP sites housed in regional Area Agencies on Aging, County Departments on Aging, Senior Services Agencies, Commissions on Aging and other similar organizations located throughout Michigan.

Currently, MMAP has over 500 highly trained and certified volunteers and volunteer coordinators. These dedicated and compassionate people, many of them seniors, answer questions and act as guides through the Medicare and Medicaid programs.

In 2003, MMAP assisted over 22,000 Michigan beneficiaries and saved them $17 million in out-of-pocket expenses, bringing peace of mind to those who are often confused and frightened when they deal with unfamiliar and difficult government systems.

MMAP’s Organization Structure

MMAP operates under the direction of a volunteer Board of Directors. Membership on the Board consists of a variety of organizations that provide services to Michigan’s seniors and disabled adults. No member of the Board of Directors can represent an organization that provides services or products to seniors or disabled adults for a fee.

The Michigan Medicare Medicaid Assistance Program (MMAP) is an independent program with no insurance industry affiliations. MMAP receives funding from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, the Administration on Aging and the Michigan Office of Services to the Aging. These funds allow MMAP to offer our time and expertise at no cost. Nationally, this program is called the State Health Insurance Counseling and Assistance Program (SHIP).

These are examples of things MMAP can help you with.

· Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage

· Supplemental (“Medigap”) insurance evaluation and comparison

· Billing concerns

· Managed care (Medicare Advantage) options

· Long-term care insurance evaluation and comparison

· Medicaid assistance, including application

· Medicare appeals process

· Suspected waste, fraud and abuse

How MMAP Can Help You

Start by contacting the MMAP office. They will link you with a local MMAP counselor who can meet with you and help you:

· Compare Medicare Prescription Drug Plans

· Determine if you are eligible for Extra Help to help you pay for your prescription costs,

· Understand doctor bills, hospital bills and Medicare Summary Notices,

· Understand Medicare/Medicaid eligibility, enrollment, coverage, claims and appeals,

· Enroll in Medicare Savings Programs,

·.

Call 1-800-803-7174 to schedule an appointment with a MMAP counselor.

MMAP can also be contacted at:

Michigan Medicare/Medicaid Assistance Program (MMAP)
6105 West St. Joseph, Suite 204
Lansing, MI 48917-4850

Reference:

• www.mymmap.org