Whether you need general information about Medicare or Medicaid, have specific questions, or want to apply for one of these programs, these are the best places to start on the Internet.

Nolo's Medicare & Medicaid Section
www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/medicare
Visit Nolo's Medicare & Medicaid section to learn all about these government programs. You'll find easy-to-understand information about choosing a Medicare Managed Care plan, using Medigap to fill in gaps in your Medicare coverage, how Medicare Parts A and B work, and whether and when to enroll in Medicare Part D, Prescription Drug Coverage.

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
www.cms.gov
This is the site of the U.S. federal agency that administers Medicare, Medicaid, and the Children's Health Insurance Program. This site has lots of research and statistical data about the Medicare program, who receives benefits, and how it is administered.

Department of Health & Human Services -- Poverty Guidelines
http://aspe.hhs.gov/poverty/index.shtml
On this site, you'll find the poverty guidelines that the Social Security Administration uses to determine whether you qualify for a low-income Part D subsidy to help fund prescription drug costs under Medicare Part D, Prescription Drug Coverage.

Medicare.gov
www.medicare.gov
This is the official U.S. government site for Medicare. You can find forms to apply for Medicare, get help choosing a policy to supplement your Medicare coverage, find doctors, and much more.

Social Security Online -- Medicare Benefits
www.ssa.gov/pgm/links_medicare.htm
The Social Security Administration's website contains a wealth of information about Medicare benefits, applying for benefits, and information about Medicare prescription drug plan costs.

Nolo's Personal Finance & Retirement Section
www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/personal-finance-retirement
Here you can find personal finance tips, retirement advice, tax-saving and investments strategies, and answers to your questions about Social Security, health insurance, and long-term care.