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What if you applied for "extra help" from Social Security? The District offers more generous help than Social Security does. If DC is not paying your Medicare premium already, you should apply through ESA. What if you already have a drug discount card? Many of these drug discount cards will end in early 2006. These drug discount cards are not the same as Part D. You still need to sign up for Part D. To pick a Part D drug plan, call (202) 739-0668 or 1(800) MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). What if you live in a nursing home? If you live in a nursing facility and have DC Medicaid, you will not have to pay for your drugs. If you have other questions, please talk to the social worker at your nursing home. You can also call (202) 739- 0668 or 1(800) MEDICARE 1(800) 633-4227. Will you have to change doctors? No. The other parts or Medicare (Parts A and B) are not changing. You can keep your same doctor unless you sign up for a Medicare “Advantage” plan (such as Aetna, Elder Health, Kaiser, SecureHorizons, or United). If you are in “regular” Medicare (instead of an “Advantage” plan), you can keep your same doctor no matter which Part D drug plan you choose. To find out more, call (202) 739-0668 or 1(800) MEDICARE. What is a Medicare "Advantage" plan?" Medicare has several "Advantage" health plans that are different than regular Medicare. These “Advantage” plans include Aetna, Elder Health, Kaiser, SecureHorizons, and United. These health plans manage your doctor's visits and other care. You may also get some extra benefits. However, you may have to pay a monthly premium for an "Advantage" plan. You can choose an "Advantage" plan, or you can stay with regular Medicare Part A and B. In either case, you may still need to sign up for a Part D drug plan. To find out more, call (202) 739-0668 or 1(800) MEDICARE. Note: Customers may confuse private retiree plans discussed in Question #6 above with the Medicare “Advantage” plans. For example, Kaiser offers both retiree plans and Medicare “Advantage” plans. However, this distinction between retiree plans and Advantage plans is very important. Please refer customers with these concerns to (202) 739-0668 or 1(800) MEDICARE (1(800) 633-4227). Can you sign up for Part D if you are in a Medicare “Advantage” plan? Yes. If you are already in an “Advantage” plan (such as Aetna, Elder Health, Kaiser, SecureHorizons, or United), you can still sign up for Part D drug coverage. However, you must choose the Part D drug plan offered by your “Advantage” plan. You cannot choose a different Part D drug plan. To find out more, call (202) 739-0668 or 1(800) MEDICARE. Note: Customers may confuse private retiree plans discussed in Question #6 above with the Medicare “Advantage” plans. For example, Kaiser offers both retiree plans and Medicare “Advantage” plans. However, this distinction between retiree plans and Advantage plans is very important. Please refer customers with these concerns to (202) 739-0668 or 1(800) MEDICARE (1(800) 633-4227). Will you still need to recertify for Medicaid or QMB? Yes. You will get the “extra help” for Part D as long as you recertify for Medicaid or QMB. If you do not recertify, you may lose the extra help for Part D. Remember: you can now call (202) 727-5355 to recertify by phone. You must recertify for Medicaid or QMB each year.