Attention Medicare Beneficiaries... Open Enrollment Time Approaches

It’s that time of year when your mailbox may begin to fill up with marketing materials from your Medicare D plan, or your Managed Care Plan.

Open Enrollment starts October 15th and runs through December 7th. It’s the time of year when you can switch health insurance plans if you’re not happy with your current coverage… or you might just want to check to see if there’s a better health insurance plan out there. For those of you who are enrolled in a Medicare Managed Care plan, you have an even longer Open Enrollment time, extended to March 31st now.

Consider this your “annual health insurance check up”.

Ask yourself the following questions:

• does my current plan cover all my Rx?
• are the copays for my Rx affordable?
• has my income changed significantly this past year, which might make me eligible for subsidy help with my health insurance now?
• have I received letters from my health insurance that I don’t understand? Or are just confusing?
• have I discovered my Plan has significant co-pays for ambulance rides, hospitalizations, or rehab services?
• do I want to sign up for a Medicare Managed Care Plan because I only have Original Medicare A & B?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, or if you are just curious about any new health insurance options that might work better for you, contact your SHINE counselor.

You can call your senior center; Highland Valley Elder Services, 413-586-2000; or the Regional SHINE office at 413-773-555 to schedule an appointment.

Self Help Options:

• you can check your Medicare and You handbook which can be accessed online if you don’t have a hard copy.
• you can call 1-800-MEDICARE and say “Agent”. Help is available 24 hours a day including weekends.
• you can go online, to medicare.gov and check out their brand new, user friendly, website if you are looking for information on the Medicare D Plan Finder.

NOTE: any changes you may make to your health insurance during Open Enrollment take effect January 1st, 2020.

Posted: to All Towns News on Tue, Oct 1, 2019
Updated: Tue, Oct 1, 2019