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At home consultation/clinics available
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Open Enrollment for Medicare Part D and Medicare Advantage plans is underway, and the Area Agency on Aging 11 is offering to help Medicare beneficiaries review their coverage to make sure it meets their needs before enrolling in a plan.
“ Every year Medicare plans change and often times needs change or a person’s condition changes,” said Lisa Solley, chief of community relations, wellness, training & HR for the Area Agency on Aging 11.
“We encourage people to shop around for the best coverage that fits with their individual needs. We also encourage people to make an educated decision and realize that free Medicare benefit check-ups are being offered by nonbiased staff or Ohio Senior Health Insurance and Information volunteers,” Solley said.
Open enrollment began Oct. 15 and runs to Dec. 7.
This is the time when everyone with Medicare can join or change health and prescription drug plans for 2014. Depending on their needs, they can switch from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage plan, or vice versa.
A Medicare Advantage plan is a health plan offered by a private company that contracts with Medicare to provide participants with all their Parts A and B benefits, and many offer prescription drug coverage.
During open enrollment, Medicare recipients can also sign up for or switch their optional Medicare Part D plan, also known as the Medicare prescription drug benefit that provides insurance to help pay for prescription drugs. Any changes made take effect Jan. 1, 2014.
Medicare benefit check-ups are offered for free at home by appointment with a an AAA11 long-term care consultant by calling 330-505-2300. Plans also can be viewed and selected for those who are computer savvy at www.medicare.gov. Free clinics are offered in the area or by appointment at various senior centers, Solley said.
Solley also alerted Medicare recipients not to be confused because this year’s open enrollment for Medicare Part D and Medicare Advantage plans coincides with the Oct. 1 opening of the Health Insurance Marketplace under which individuals without health insurance now can search for and enroll in a plan.
“The Marketplace is not for people 65 and older, and we are urging older adults not to get scammed into giving away personal information to anyone over the phone trying to sell insurance. The Marketplace is for people who are under 65 and are uninsured, under-insured, or looking for more insurance options,” she said.