when should you call acentra health?

• If you are not ready to be discharged from the hospital.
• If your Medicare skilled services are ending too soon. Examples of skilled services include things like physical therapy and nursing services.
• If you have a concern about the quality of care you received.
• If you have a concern about your medical care that needs to be taken care of right away.

Click on the button below for the phone number for your state. These services are free for people who have Medicare. 

Telephone Numbers

traveling with prescription medications

If you’re planning a trip, plan ahead for your prescription medications. 

First, check that you have enough of each medication to last through your entire trip. It’s a good idea to pack a few extra days’ worth in case your travel plans change. If you’re running low, ask your pharmacy or doctor if you can get a refill early. Some Medicare drug plans allow early refills for travel. You might also ask if you’re eligible for a 90-day supply.

If you're flying, try to pack your medications in your carry-on bag, not your checked luggage. This keeps them with you in case your suitcase gets delayed or lost. Try to bring them in their original labeled containers, especially when going through airport security. If you use insulin, inhalers, or syringes, let the TSA (Transportation Securing Administration) agent know. You’ll usually see them at the security checkpoint when you go through screening before your flight.

• Visit tsa.gov/travel/travel-tips for tips for traveling with medications.
• For questions about other items you can bring on your flight, visit tsa.gov. Since rules are always changing, you may want to look at this website before you go.

While you’re away from home, you may need to visit a pharmacy. Try to use one that is in your Medicare drug plan’s network, which helps keep your costs lower. You can call your plan or check their website to find pharmacies near your travel destination. If you go to a pharmacy that’s out of network, you might have to pay more, or your plan may not cover the cost at all.

It also helps to carry a list of your medications, including the name, dose, and what you take them for. Bring your Medicare card and your drug plan card with you in case you need to speak with a pharmacist or doctor while you're away.

With a little planning, you can travel confidently and stay on top of your health while you enjoy your trip.

june is men's health month

This is a great time to focus on your health—by staying active, getting regular checkups, and not ignoring small problems that could turn into bigger ones.

Seeing your primary care doctor (the doctor you see for checkups and everyday health needs) regularly is one of the best ways to stay healthy. They can help catch issues early, keep track of your medications, and make sure you’re up to date on important screenings.

Whether you’re a man taking steps to care for yourself, or someone who supports one, now is the time to learn more, ask questions, and take simple steps toward better health.

Visit our Men's Health Month web page for helpful links and information you can use and share.

don't keep this a secret

Share this newsletter with friends who have Medicare by sharing this link: www.acentraqio.com/ohf/June2025

medicare updates for 2025: key changes you should know about

Staying informed about Medicare changes can help you make the most of your benefits. Here are some important updates for 2025:

prescription drug cost

Starting in 2025, if you have Medicare Part D, your yearly out-of-pocket costs for prescription drugs will be capped at $2,000. This means once you've spent $2,000 on covered medications, you won't pay any more for the rest of the year.

This change is part of a new law aimed at making medications more affordable for people with Medicare. It applies to everyone with a Medicare drug plan, including those with Medicare Advantage plans that offer drug coverage.

• Fact Sheet: What’s the Medicare Prescription Payment Plan? (PDF)
• Website: Medicare in 2025: Key Changes and Updates

changes to medicare advantage plans in 2025

Some Medicare Advantage plans are changing in 2025. Costs like monthly premiums, deductibles, and copays may go up or down. Extra benefits, such as help paying for over-the-counter items or meal services, might also be reduced or changed.

Medicare now requires Medicare Advantage plans to send a letter each year between June 30 and July 31. This letter will be personalized for you and will list any extra benefits you haven’t used yet, such as dental, vision, or hearing services. It will also explain what each benefit covers, what you may need to pay, how to use the benefit, and whether you need to use certain doctors or providers. The letter will include a customer service number you can call if you have questions or need help.

• Medicare Advantage 2025 Spotlight: A First Look at Plan Premiums and Benefits
• Fact Sheet: Contract Year 2025 Policy and Technical Changes to the Medicare Advantage Plan Program…

medicare expands mental health coverage

Medicare is now covering care from marriage and family therapists and mental health counselors. This means more people can get help for their mental health.

Mental health support can help with things like feeling sad or anxious, coping with loss, or managing long-term stress or depression. These changes make it easier to talk to someone and get the care you need.

Read more about mental health services in section 2 of your Medicare & You Handbook 2025 (PDF).

travel smart with medicare: what you need to know before you go

Summer is almost here, and you know what that means. It’s vacation time! Many people are hitting the road or flying to visit family and friends or on another exciting adventure.

Before you leave, take time to look over your Medicare (and other health) coverage, just in case. You should look into what your coverage includes when you're away from home whether you're traveling to a state close by or across the country or even out of the country.

traveling within the u.s.

If you have Original Medicare, you're covered for care anywhere in the U.S. and its territories (like Puerto Rico, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and American Samoa). You can see any doctor or go to any hospital you want as long as they accept Medicare. Some Medigap policies cover services that Original Medicare doesn't cover, like emergency medical care when you travel outside the U.S. (foreign travel emergency care).

If you have a Medicare Advantage plan, you’re covered for emergency and urgent care anywhere in the U.S., even if you’re outside your plan’s network. So, if you’re traveling and something happens, you can still get the care you need.

Just keep in mind that non-emergency care may cost more if you’re not seeing a provider in your plan’s network. Before you travel, it’s a good idea to check with your plan to see how your coverage works in other areas.

Before you travel, call your plan provider or check your plan’s website to find out:

• Which providers (hospitals, doctors, etc.) are in-network where you will be visiting
• Whether prior authorization is needed for services
  Prior authorization is when your doctor must get approval from your Medicare plan before you can receive a service, treatment, or prescription to make sure it’s covered.
• What counts as emergency or urgent care

Some Medicare Advantage plans offer a Visitor/Travel benefit that allows temporary access to providers in another service area. You should consider asking if yours does.

traveling outside the u.s.

Original Medicare doesn’t cover medical care outside the United States. There are very limited exceptions (see medicare.gov for details).

Some Medicare Advantage and Medigap plans may cover emergency care abroad, so it’s important to check with your plan before you go.

You may also want to consider travel insurance that includes medical coverage for international travel.

tips before you go

• Review your plan coverage and be sure to know what services are covered wherever you will be visiting.
• Take your Medicare card or Medicare Advantage card.
• Pack a list of your medications and doctor contact info.

For more details about Medicare and travel, visit Medicare.gov or contact your Medicare Advantage plan directly before you leave.

Publication No. R146810-145-6/2025. This material was prepared by Acentra Health, a Medicare Quality Improvement Organization under contract with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The contents presented do not necessarily reflect CMS policy.