By: Dawn Lund, Director of Medicare Programs
Another Medicare Open Enrollment period has arrived! This is the time of year when Medicare beneficiaries can review the options for 2017, and make changes for the upcoming year. Medicare’s open enrollment takes place on the same dates each year. It starts on October 15th and goes through December 7th. This is the busiest time of year for the Medicare Programs at Senior Community Services. There are so many choices for people to make, it is very overwhelming. With all the different Medicare rules for each specific situation, it can also be very difficult to understand.
There are some wonderful resources available to people that are worth taking a look at. If you have access to a computer, go into www.medicare.gov, it is an incredible site. You are able to access the choices available to Minnesotans on Medicare. There is an awesome publication called “Health Care Choices for Minnesotans on Medicare,” 2017, created by the Minnesota Board on Aging. Currently available online: www.mnaging.net/hcc and will be available in hard copy early November.
Senior Community Services offers non-bias guidance in navigating your Medicare choices. Make an appointment for a face to face Medicare insurance counseling session with one of our trained volunteer counselors. Appointments are available at 14 metro community centers. Sign up for a Navigating Medicare Community Education Class. Please make yourself familiar with our website where you will find more details about these services and classes. The more knowledge you have the easier your choices will be. Our website is: www.seniorcommunityservices.org where you can click on the “Programs tab”, then “Medicare Health Insurance Counseling” for more information.
Make a list of the things that are important to you with your healthcare coverage and prescription drug or Part D coverage. You may like a certain deductable cost, co-pay or coinsurance…list that information on your list. The higher the monthly premium is for the plan you choose usually equals better coverage with less out of pocket costs.
It is also very important to do your own research or call Senior Community Services to review your current health coverage, your list of medications, and the part D plan (prescription drug plan) you are enrolled in. The health plans and part D plans can make changes each year. It is important to compare any changes with your current medical needs. You do not want to be enrolled in a prescription drug plan or part d plan that worked well for you last year and now with 2017 changes, you could have increased out of pocket costs. If you are a person that has diabetes or a disease where you need an inhaler (s), these medically necessary medications often have incredibly high costs.
Couples sometimes are enrolled into the same part D plan and it may not make sense. Each person and their medication list require specific things that you need to pay attention to. This is true for health coverage too. Just make sure that the health coverage you choose or make a change to fits your individual needs.
Pay attention to Medicare deadlines and then you will not feel rushed or worried that everything will be in place at the right time. Schedule assistance with someone who is non-bias, yet knowledgeable, to compare what your options are. Don’t be afraid to ask questions! There is nothing easy about Medicare. Don’t forget, Senior Community Services does not represent any of the healthcare companies. We are a non-profit organization and we are here to assist you while you navigate Medicare without any bias! Go online: www.seniorcommunity.org or give us a call at 952-767-7887, we would be happy to assist you with your Medicare questions.
