Is it true that every Medicare enrollee is entitled to vaccines for free this year?
Not quite. A provision in the Inflation Reduction Act that passed last August says that beginning in 2023, adult vaccines recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are free for Medicare beneficiaries with prescription drug coverage. This applies to enrollees who have a stand-alone Part D prescription drug plan or who have a Medicare Advantage plan that includes drug coverage.

But not every Medicare beneficiary has such a plan. According to a 2022 report, 9 percent of Medicare participants are not enrolled in a Part D plan. That means 1 in 11 Medicare enrollees might need to pay for certain vaccines.

Just a reminder: You may not think you need Part D when you first sign up for Medicare because you don’t take many—or any—prescription drugs. But as with most types of insurance, you get it because someday you might need it. If you don’t enroll in a Part D plan when you are first eligible for Medicare, you’ll be subject to a late enrollment penalty if you decide to sign up for a plan later.

Does Medicare pay for an ambulance?
Medicare Part B covers the cost of an ambulance in emergency situations if the trip meets several criteria:

→ The ambulance is medically necessary.

→ It’s the only safe way to transport the patient.

→ It is going to a location approved by Medicare, such as a hospital, skilled nursing facility or back home after care.

→ The transportation company meets Medicare standards.

→ The destination is the nearest qualifying facility that can treat you.

Note that original Medicare enrollees will be responsible for 20 percent of the Medicare-approved ambulance charge. Supplemental Medigap policies often will cover that. Medicare Advantage plans also cover ambulances; check with your plan to find out what your share of the cost will be.

For comprehensive Medicare info and advice, go to aarp.org/mme.