Medicare Made Clear [Los Angeles Sentinel (CA)]

"We opened the store because we saw a need here for Medicare beneficiaries and their caregivers," explained Southern California United Health Care Regional Sales Director Sandy D'Elia on why United Health Care has been open in the Crenshaw District for about one year now.

A lot of people don't understand what they have and what they don't when it comes to their government issued health insurance but representatives at United, located on level one of the Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza, are available daily during mall hours to help them.

"We consider ourselves pretty well versed in the population," D'Elia said.

"We've recently done a study of 60-64 year olds and what their knowledge of what Medicare is and what Medicare has to offer. Somewhat surprising, a lot of this population really doesn't understand what Medicare is, needs further education on what its options are and how Medicare works in conjunction with health plans like United and what they are able to discern and how to meet their needs."

Medicare becomes complex, she said, mainly because of its multiple components.

"We're finding that it's confusing to a larger group of people as we talk to them because it has different layers" she said.

"Medicare has part A, part B, part C and part D and so, we find that some Medicare beneficiaries may be versed in one part of Medicare but not another, may not be versed in any, may have different perceptions about what Medicare covers and they don't know how to make decisions for themselves that meet their needs."

For example, part A only helps with hospital costs, part B with general outpatient care, C is a combination of parts A and B in one plan and part D covers prescriptions.

"What happens is, if you work 30 quarters you're eligible for part A. Automatically the government issues you your part A on a little red, white and blue card," D'Elia explained during a recent interview with the Sentinel.

"It'll say, 'part A' and 'effective' when you turn 65 or you're fully disabled. Part B, the beneficiary has to apply for it. Part B, when you apply, what the government does is take out a Social Security portion. It ranges from income level but it's about a hundred some odd dollars taken directly out of their social security..."

Beneficiaries and caregivers can get more information on what they need in order to coordinate the best care said D'Elia, by going to community meetings offered by United, calling for an in home assessment with a licensed UHC agent, or visit a rep directly in the store. For more information call 877.619.5576 or visit www.MedicareMadeClear.com.

BY JENNIFER BIHM

Sentinel Contributing Writer

[email protected]