Tools & Resources

Medicare
Visit Medicare.gov or call Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227; TTY 1-877-486-2048) to learn about your Medicare eligibility and options, including Medicare Advantage.

• “Medicare and You” handbook (CMS)
• “Understanding Medicare Advantage Plans” booklet (CMS)
• “What’s Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap)?” webpage (CMS)

DaVita
This is a DaVita guide created using publically available information and is designed to serve as an informational resource to help people on dialysis, who currently have Medicare, understand Medicare basics and coverage options.

• DaVita Medicare Education Guide
• DaVita Medicare Education Guide (espanol)

As a reminder, DaVita health insurance educators cannot recommend one coverage type or plan option over another. The decision of whether to enroll in different health insurance is always up to the individual and individuals should enroll in the insurance they feel is best.

State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIPs)
SHIPs are local non-profit organizations that provide free and unbiased one-on-one counseling on your Medicare options. To find your local SHIP, visit ShipTACenter.org or call 1-877-839-2675 (TTY 711).

This insurance change worksheet* may help you assess your needs and compare the plan(s) you’re considering. Consider bringing this to your enrollment appointment.

• Insurance Change Worksheet
• Insurance Change Worksheet (espanol)

This cost comparison worksheet* may help you compare the cost difference between your current Medicare coverage to the Medicare Advantage plan(s) you’re considering. If you’re thinking about joining a Medicare Advantage plan, check with the plan before you join to make sure your providers are in the plan’s network. If they are out of network, you may have to pay more.

• Cost Comparison Worksheet
• Cost Comparison Worksheet (espanol)

*For informational purposes only.

Chapter (an unaffiliated, licensed Medicare Advisor)
Chapter is a Medicare advisor that searches plans from all carriers to help you enroll in the one that fits your individual needs: they can check to make sure your healthcare providers are in network, and will compare drug prices across all pharmacies in your area. Chapter’s Medicare advisors are trained specifically on the insurance coverage needs of dialysis patients.
• Visit Chapter’s website at askchapter.org/dialysis
• Call Chapter’s helpline directly at 1-800-351-0969 to speak with a licensed Medicare Advisor (Monday - Friday 9AM - 7PM EST and Saturday 10AM - 6PM EST)

eHealth (an unaffiliated, licensed health insurance agency)
eHealth is an independent health insurance agency that offers plans from many (but not all) insurance companies. eHealth licensed insurance agents can help you review your options and enroll in a plan. eHealth also has tools to help you find a plan with your health care providers in network, and their agents are trained on the insurance coverage needs that may be important for dialysis patients.

• Visit eHealth’s website for dialysis patients at eHealthMedicare.com/Dialysis
• Call the eHealth helpline for dialysis patients at 1-844-980-2102 (TTY 711). Licensed insurance agents are available Monday-Friday from 8 a.m.-9 p.m. (ET) and 24 hrs/day from October 15 to December 7.

Medicare and Medicare Plan Finder
Contact Medicare or use the Medicare Plan Finder at Medicare.Gov/Plan-Compare to learn more about available Medicare Advantage plans in your area (including plan costs, benefits and provider network considerations) and to enroll in a plan.

Other Health Insurance Agents or Brokers
There may be other health insurance agencies and local insurance agents that can help you review your Medicare Advantage options and enroll in a plan. You can also contact specific health insurance companies directly to learn more about their available plans or to enroll.

If you’d like to download a PDF of these resources, click here:

• Additional Resources Handout
• Additional Resources Handout (espanol)