May 27, 2010 – Senior citizens and others covered by Medicare should be receiving within days the new brochure "Medicare and the New Health Law - What it Means for You" in their mailboxes. The mailing from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services outlines the key provisions of the Affordable Care Act. The information is available in English or Spanish and online (see links below).

“These are needed improvements that will keep Medicare strong and solvent,” writes Kathleen Sebelius, Secretary of Health & Human Services, in the introduction of the brochure. “Your guaranteed Medicare benefits won’t change-whether you get them through Original Medicare or a Medicare Advantage plan. Instead, you will see new benefits and cost savings, and an increased focus on quality to ensure that you get the care you need.”

The first benefit that many people with Medicare will receive as a result of the passage of the new law is a one-time check for $250, if they enter the Part D donut hole and are not eligible for Medicare Extra Help.

Beginning next year, the Affordable Care Act ensures that Medicare beneficiaries will get free preventive care services like colorectal cancer screening and mammograms, in addition to a free annual wellness visit.

The law also includes new tools to help fight fraud by helping Medicare crack down on criminals who are seeking to scam seniors and steal taxpayer dollars. "Medicare and the New Health Law - What it Means for You"

The mailing encourages beneficiaries and their family members to log on to http://www.medicare.gov or call 1-800-MEDICARE to get their questions about Medicare or the Affordable Care Act answered and reminds them to be on the alert for possible scams.

The brochures can also be found at:

● http://www.medicare.gov/Publications/Pubs/pdf/11467.pdf (English) and

● http://www.medicare.gov/Publications/Pubs/pdf/11467_S.pdf (Spanish).