Medicare’s annual open enrollment period is here, and Buckeye Hills Regional Council is here to help Medicare beneficiaries find the best coverage. Starting October 15 through December 7, our enrollment specialists are available to help review your coverage options to ensure you are choosing the best plan to meet your needs and budget.
“Medicare customers need to be aware that their coverage can change from year to year,” states BHCR Director of Aging Jennifer Westfall. By calling enrollment specialists, individuals can review changes and make sure they understand their coverage and the costs associated with the Medicare plan they select.”
Individuals age 65 and older can choose Medicare coverage through Original Medicare, or they can choose coverage through a Medicare Advantage Plan. Original Medicare includes Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance) and Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance.) Supplemental coverage may also be purchased through a private company to help pay out-of-pocket costs. Drug coverage can be added with a separate Medicare drug plan (Part D.)
A Medicare Advantage Plan is an all-in-one alternative. These plans include Part A, Part B, and usually, Part D. Most plans offer extra benefits such as vision, hearing, and dental.
Five Tips for Medicare Open Enrollment
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Check your mail. You may get important notices from Medicare or Social Security. If you’re in a Medicare plan, you’ll get an Annual Notice of Changes (ANOC) telling you of any changes in coverage, costs, or service area. Note any 2022 changes to your health coverage or any Extra Help you may get to pay for prescription drugs.
You may also get brochures and other marketing materials from insurance companies that offer Medicare health and prescription drug plans. Remember — plans aren’t allowed to call or come to your home without an invitation from you. Find out how to protect yourself from Medicare fraud.
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Think about your Medicare coverage needs for 2022. Carefully review your current Medicare coverage, and note any upcoming changes to your costs or benefits. Decide if your current Medicare coverage will meet your needs for the year ahead. If you like your current coverage, and it’s still available for 2022, you don’t need to take any action to keep it.
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Review your 2022 “Medicare & You” handbook. It has information about Medicare coverage and Medicare plans in your area. If you want to get your handbook electronically, you can go paperless by logging into (or creating) your secure Medicare account.
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Preview 2022 health and prescription drug plans. We make it easy to compare coverage options and shop for health plans. For a personalized search, log in or create an account (if you have a Medicare Number) to create or access a list of your drugs, compare your current Medicare plan to others, and see prices based on any help you get with drug costs.
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Get personalized help in your community. You may be able to find free information and events online, or get help from health insurance counselors in your area by phone, like your State Health Insurance Assistance Program.
Each year during Open Enrollment, Medicare recipients may review and stay with their current plans or look for a new plan with better coverage, higher quality, and lower costs. Buckeye Hills can also help individuals determine whether they may be eligible for the Low‐Income Subsidy and/or Medicare Savings Program, as well as other Medicare premium assistance programs and assist with the application process.
“Enrollment specialists can also review the Medicare Extra Help Program with individuals who call,” says Westfall. “Extra Help is a program that can help lower prescription drug costs. Often individuals may not know about the program or assume they are not eligible.’“
Due to the coronavirus pandemic, in-person check-up dates have not been scheduled. Therefore, the majority of help will be provided over the phone. Individuals may call Ohio’s Medicare hotline at 1-800-686-1578.