Open Enrollment from November 15th through December 31st allows seniors with Medicare to change their health plans. One senior was concerned about rising costs for his healthcare coverage and unsure of his options. After meeting with an APPRISE counselor, they identified a new plan that fully covered his prescriptions and out-of-pocket costs, providing better coverage at an affordable price. Seniors should review the information from their providers and contact Medicare or another provider by January 1st if they need to make changes or select a different plan that better suits their needs. APPRISE offers free guidance to help seniors evaluate their options and enroll in plans that will adequately cover their healthcare needs.

1. Open Enrollment Provides Opportunity to Change Plans
Seniors can participate in Medicare's Open Enrollment from Nov. 15
through Dec. 31 in order to enroll in or change Medicare Advantage plans
(HMO), Medigap Supplement plans, Part D prescription drug plans, or
return to original Medicare. Seniors’ current Medicare plans not suiting their
needs could cause problems if they do not keep up-to-date with their
provider benefits. This Open Enrollment gives each senior with Medicare
coverage the opportunity to find a plan that is right for them.
SCS's APPRISE Program Coordinator, Kim Andrews, and APPRISE
counselors help seniors find the right healthcare plan. One Delaware County
senior took advantage of this program to benefit him and his spouse. He
was informed that there would be a significant increase in cost for his
healthcare coverage. Not knowing much about his options for health and
drug coverage, he thought that by increasing health dollars he would not be
able to afford better coverage. While meeting with an APPRISE counselor,
the senior outlined his health needs for the next year. Using the Medicare
website, the volunteer counselor made sure that all prescriptions could be
covered.
This senior was also unsure about his personal liability. The APPRISE
counselor was able to identify the best coverage for him. He would have had
to pay deductibles and co-pays that had the possibility of sending him into
some financial hardships. During Open Enrollment, the senior was able to
select a new plan. He is now resting easier knowing that he and his spouse
have the best coverage that they can afford.
Seniors received information from their providers in early October
and should use it to decide whether or not they need to make changes. If
changes are necessary, they should call their Medicare provider or another
provider to enroll in the policy that is right for them. It is very important that
seniors select the correct plan. The only option they have of changing plans
after Jan. 1, 2011, through Feb. 14, 2011, is to cancel their HMO and return
to original Medicare.
APPRISE sees many cases similar to the one described. Seniors
should not have to worry about if their needs and those of their family will
be covered by their insurance. APPRISE offers “independent free guidance”
to review coverage so seniors can change or enroll in new plans that work
for them.
For more information or an appointment with an APPRISE counselor,
contact Kim Andrews at 484-494-3769.