I got mailed a Medicare card with a new number. I never asked for it. What gives?

Someone would get issued a new card if there was a problem identified with their Medicare number, according to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. A CMS spokesperson wouldn’t specify what exactly might trigger such a move, but she said it would be made to protect an enrollee. If you wish, verify the validity of the card by calling 800-MEDICARE. Then give the new number to your health care providers, pharmacies and, if on original Medicare, Part D and supplemental insurance providers as soon as possible, CMS says. Shred your old card. Don’t worry: Your benefits and coverage will remain the same. Also note there are several ways to get a replacement card if you lost yours: Request one at Medicare.gov; print an official copy from your online Medicare account; or call the Medicare hotline (800-633-4227) and ask for a card to be mailed to you.

I’m about to go into a nursing home. What happens to my Medicare? Will it still cover my health care costs?

Your Medicare coverage will continue as it did before. When you or a loved one goes into a nursing home or other skilled nursing facility, you still pay your Part B premium for doctor visits and outpatient care; your Part D premium for prescription drugs; and if you have it, your Medigap coverage premiums. Though Medicare doesn’t routinely cover everyday nursing home costs, your policies still provide medical coverage just the same as before you entered the long-term care facility. That applies if you go to a hospital, get care from a doctor, need access to medical supplies or are prescribed medicines. If you belong to a Medicare Advantage (MA) plan, you’ll still need to pay your Part B premium and any additional premium your plan requires. If you receive Social Security, your Part B premium is automatically deducted from your monthly benefit. You can also choose to have Social Security deduct any Part D and MA plan premiums you are responsible for.

My doctor wants me to take one of the new weight loss drugs, but my pharmacist says my Part D prescription drug plan doesn’t cover it. Is that true?

Based on your description, yes, that’s true. The law that governs Medicare specifically excludes prescription drugs labeled as being for “weight loss” or “weight gain.” That would include the spate of medications approved for patients with diabetes but that in recent years have become popular for nondiabetics who want to lose weight. Note that Medicare will cover these drugs for enrollees diagnosed with diabetes; it just won’t cover them for off-label usages. That said, Medicare does cover some treatments for obesity. That includes an initial assessment to determine your BMI (body mass index); a nutritional evaluation; and ongoing counseling to promote long-term weight loss when those appointments are held in a primary care setting. Unless you have some specific health conditions, Medicare generally does not cover consultations with a registered dietitian or nutritionist. If your BMI is 35 or higher, Medicare covers bariatric surgery if your doctor determines it’s medically necessary.