Medicare open enrollment is shorter this year
People 65 and older will need to move faster on choosing their health plans - open enrollment for Medicare begins and ends earlier than in previous years.
Enrollment in the program, which has nearly 155,000 beneficiaries in Pima County, starts Oct. 15, a full month earlier than in 2010. Enrollment this year ends Dec. 7.
Medicare is a national health insurance plan for people 65 and older, people under 65 with certain disabilities and people with end-stage renal disease.
Every year, the complex enrollment rules and choices catch many seniors off-guard, said Lydia Baker, coordinator of the Medicare health-insurance assistance program at the Pima Council on Aging, which will sponsor four Medicare information sessions in October.
With 10,000 baby boomers in the U.S. turning 65 each day, there's been a surge of interest in Medicare education nationally and locally. Baker said her organization's "New to Medicare" classes have recently been filling to capacity.
"What they say is, 'We have received stacks of mail from every insurance company, and I can't understand any of it,'" Baker said.
During open enrollment, current or newly eligible Medicare beneficiaries, including people with original Medicare, can review current health and prescription-drug coverage, compare health- and drug-plan options available in their area and choose coverage that best meets their needs.
Pima County residents have 31 Medicare Advantage plans to choose from and 30 Part D prescription plans. Baker said a few changes from last year include a $6,700 out-of-pocket maximum for Medicare Advantage plans, which works out well for some plans that had no maximum but may create a higher deductible for other plans.
"If you give companies a top ceiling, they are going to take it. That's why people need to pay attention to their plans," she said.
Nearly 45 percent of all Medicare enrollees are on a Medicare Advantage or Medicare replacement plan, which means they choose to get Medicare coverage through private health-insurance plans instead of through traditional government Medicare (Parts A and B).
Medicare Health Insurance Arizona - News
Every year, the complex enrollment rules and choices catch many seniors off-guard, said Lydia Baker, coordinator of the Medicare health-insurance assistance program at the Pima Council on Aging, which will sponsor four Medicare information sessions in
by medicareblogger on Oct. 01, 2011, under Health The Medicare.gov Plan Finder has 2012 information available and there will be 30 stand-alone Part D plans sold in Arizona next year. From a quick review of the 2012 Part D plans, it looks like the two
Those who lose Medicaid coverage still come to hospitals, leaving providers to absorb medical costs for uninsured patients. That forces hospitals to raise costs for insurance companies, said Peter Wertheim, spokesman for the Arizona Hospital and
28, 2011, under Arizona Republic News Premiums for employer-sponsored health insurance continued to escalate this year even as the share of workers getting less-generous coverage reached a new high, according to survey data released Tuesday.
“Republicans voted to stick it to seniors by ending Medicare, increasing costs and putting insurance companies in charge, and now they're trying to stick it to the middle class by putting millions of Americans at the mercy of insurance companies,” said
Medicare Open Enrollment Starts October 15
Open Enrollment starts on October 1 through December 7, 2011 for Medicare Advantage Plans and Prescription Drug Plans. Changes made to these plans will become effective January 1, 2012.
During the Open Enrollment period, Medicare beneficiaries will be able to enroll, dis-enroll or change their Medicare Advantage Plan or Prescription Drug Plan. The 2012 Medicare and You Guide is another resource for information.
If you have traditional Medicare and Supplemental Insurance, you will need to review your Medicare Prescription Drug Plan to make sure it still fits your prescription drug needs.
Dean and Associations is available to answer questions or help you evaluate your current situation. Don’t hesitate to call with questions. In Arizona, we can be reached locally at 602-264-6000. Our toll free number is 800-663-0611.
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