What are the different parts of Medicare?
Part A Hospital Insurance - Most people do not pay a premium for Part A because they or a spouse already paid for it through their payroll taxes while working. Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance) helps cover inpatient care in hospitals, including critical access hospitals, and skilled nursing facilities (not custodial or long-term care). It also helps cover hospice care and some home health care. Beneficiaries must meet certain conditions to get these benefits.

Part B Medical Insurance - Most people pay a monthly premium for Part B. Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance) helps cover doctors' services and outpatient care. It also covers some other medical services that Part A does not cover, such as some of the services of physical and occupational therapists, and some home health care. Part B helps pay for these covered services and supplies when they are medically necessary.

Prescription Drug Coverage - Most people will pay a monthly premium for this coverage. Starting January 1, 2006, new Medicare prescription drug coverage became available to everyone with Medicare. Everyone with Medicare can get this coverage that may help lower prescription drug costs and help protect against higher costs in the future. Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage is insurance. Private companies provide the coverage. Beneficiaries choose the drug plan and pay a monthly premium. Like other insurance, if a beneficiary decides not to enroll in a drug plan when they are first eligible, they may pay a penalty if they choose to join later.

What Medicare Advantage Plans does HIP offer?

HIP VIP (HMO) Medicare Plan is HIP’s Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug (HMO) plan available in New York City, Long Island and Westchester for people with Medicare Parts A and B. When you become a member of HIP VIP (HMO) Medicare Plan, you receive a great combination of benefits and services often at a lower cost than many Medigap supplemental plans.

With HIP VIP (HMO) Medicare Plan, you get all the benefits of Original Medicare, and much more, like Part D prescription drug coverage (either through HIP participating pharmacies, mail order or Internet order), eyeglasses, annual physical exams, full hospitalization coverage, chiropractic care and dental services.1 2 It’s a comprehensive health coverage plan with no annual deductibles and almost no paperwork. In the HIP VIP (HMO) Medicare Plan you must select a PCP (Primary Care Physician) and obtain referrals for most specialty care.

Looking for choice and flexibility? For an additional monthly premium you can purchase the HIP VIP (HMO) Plan with supplemental rider. With this supplemental rider you will not have the required copays you normally pay when you obtain most medical services.

1. Limitations, copayments and exclusions may apply on some services.
2. Members must continue to pay the Medicare Part B premium. Ask for a Summary of Benefits.

HIP Medicare SNP Plan
HIP VIP Dual Eligible (HMO)

HIP VIP Dual Eligible (HMO) is a Special Needs Plan for people with both Medicare and some level of assistance from the State. HIP VIP Dual Eligible (HMO) members do not have plan premiums or copayments for covered services. As with our other Medicare plans, HIP VIP Dual Eligible (HMO) covers all the benefits of Original Medicare and more, including Part D prescription drug coverage. Depending on your level of Medicaid eligibility, you may use your Medicaid card to obtain Medicaid covered services or additional services. HIP VIP Dual Eligible (HMO) is available in New York City, Long Island and Westchester to people with Medicare Parts A and B and some Medicaid eligibility or in a Medicare Savings Program. ¹ ² ³

HIP VIP Medicaid Advantage (HMO)
HIP VIP Medicaid Advantage (HMO) is a Special Needs Plan for people with both Medicare and full Medicaid medical assistance from the State. If you qualify you will have access to Medicare and Medicaid services as well as community services, where applicable. HIP VIP Medicaid Advantage (HMO) covers all of the Benefits of Original Medicare, plus Part D Prescription Drug insurance, and also provides the majority of your Medicaid services through HIP network providers. Members must use their Medicaid card only for Medicaid Services which are not covered by HIP VIP Medicaid Advantage (HMO).

1. Limitations, copayments and exclusions may apply on some services.
2. Members must continue to pay the Medicare Part B premium. Ask for a Summary of Benefits for details.
3. You must see HIP network providers for routine care.

PDP Plan
HIP Medicare PDP New York Standard and Enhanced

Many Medicare beneficiaries do not want to receive health care coverage for doctors and hospitals through a Medicare Advantage plan. They choose to receive their medical benefits through Original Medicare or supplemental health care plans such as Medigap. If you choose to do this, you can still receive prescription drug benefits that the new Medicare Part D plan will offer. This can be done by enrolling in a stand alone Part D-only plan called a Prescription Drug Plan, or “PDP.” If you want a PDP plan that only covers prescription drugs, you might be interested in joining one of our two stand–alone plans: HIP Part D New York Standard (PDP) or HIP Part D New York Enhanced. HIP’s Part D plans are both titled “HIP Part D New York” because we’ve been serving the New York health care marketplace for more than 60 years. When you enroll in either HIP Part D New York plans, you will be entitled to receive HIP’s prescription drug benefits and discounts without receiving health care coverage through HIP.

How do I enroll?
Call us toll-free at 1-800-447-9169 Monday - Friday 8:00 am - 6:00 pm. Extended hours 11/15 - 3/1, 8:00 am - 8:00 pm, seven days a week (TTY/TDD users, 1-888-447-4833, Monday – Friday 8:30 am – 5:00 pm) to:

• Schedule a personal consultation with a HIP Representative who will answer your questions and assist you with completing the enrollment application.
• Reserve a seat for you at one of our informational seminars in your area, where you can find out more about our HIP VIP Medicare Plans and a HIP Representative will be present and can assist you with completing your enrollment application. For accommodations of persons with special needs, contact us at the toll-free number listed above.
• Request an enrollment kit.