David Bruce: Time to select Medicare Advantage, Obamacare plans

More than 65,000 Erie County residents have their annual opportunity to select their health insurer.

The enrollment period for Medicare Advantage plans began Oct. 15 and ends Dec. 7, while plans through the Affordable Care Act can be purchased from Nov. 1 through Dec. 15.

Medicare Advantage plans offer medical and prescription drug coverage for people, mostly those 65 and older, who qualify for Medicare. It's not required, but these plans are popular because Medicare by itself only covers about 80% of medical expenses and doesn't cover prescription drug costs.

Erie County's Medicare recipients can choose from among 55 plans for 2022. They are offered by a variety of insurers, including Highmark, UPMC Health Plan, Aetna, Humana and United Healthcare.

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Costs are relatively stable for 2022, said Kim Malone, senior centers director for the Greater Erie Community Action Committee.

"Some plans have gone up a bit and others are down a little, but the prices are pretty stable," said Malone, who offers free counseling for selecting Medicare Advantage plans.

Medicare recipients in Erie County can now see which Medicare Advantage plans have received a five-star quality rating. Medicare awards these ratings based on information gathered from member satisfaction surveys, plans and health-care providers.

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Highmark, UPMC and Aetna each have five-star plans available in Erie County. Besides enrolling in one of those plans during open enrollment, Medicare recipients can switch to a five-star plan from a plan with fewer stars once a year outside of open enrollment.

"Having a five-star rating is important but it doesn't mean the plan is right for you," Malone said. "Look at the plan's drug coverage, and the physicians and hospitals that are in its network."

All of these plans can be found at www.medicare.gov. Free Medicare counseling is available by calling GECAC at 814-459-4581, Ext. 400.

Individual health insurance plans that comply with the Affordable Care Act can be found again this year at www.pennie.com, a website the state created in 2020 for ACA plan enrollment.

The number of plans offered in Erie County has declined from 155 for 2021 to 96 for 2022. They are all offered by either Highmark or UPMC Health Plan.

Costs for these plans remain stable for 2022, with increases or decreases of less than 4% for the plans offered in Erie County, according to filings with the Pennsylvania Department of Insurance.

For help enrolling, visit the Pennie website or call 844-844-8040.

HERE to HELP: Have a consumer question you'd like us to help you with? Leave a message with David Bruce at 870-1736, send an email to [email protected] or send mail to 205 W. 12th St., Erie, PA 16534.