Medicare offering special enrollment to those affected by hurricanes; Covering; The Bases

My grandmother lived in Puerto Rico until the hurricane disaster last fall. She temporarily moved with my cousins in Miami. Last week, she moved permanently to my home in Maryland. While she has been relatively healthy, she needs to be monitored by a physician for minor health issues. We just discovered that her Medicare Advantage plan from Puerto Rico is not accepted in Maryland. What are her options?

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services is offering special relief for persons affected by the recent hurricanes in the southern United States, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. CMS is allowing a special enrollment period to select a new Medicare Advantage plan or Medicare Part D drug plan. This period lasts until March 31.

In your grandmother's case, you state that she is changing her permanent residence to Maryland. Due to her change of residence, she would also have additional special enrollment rights: She would be able to purchase a Medicare Supplement plan in Maryland without any medical conditions precluding her from coverage. Under the change of address rules, she would have a two-month window from the time she makes her residence change to make insurance changes.

Since the rules are very specific and her situation involves a permanent address change, you may want to contact your local State Health Insurance Assistance Program (410-222-4257, ext. 4077) to better understand her options and the timeframe she will have to make her choices.

I am 70 and retired many years ago. When I turned 65, I declined Part B because I was healthy. Now, I am second-guessing my decision. Without Part B, I have to pay full price for my doctor visits. I was told that I can enroll in Part B during a general enrollment period, but there will be a delay and a penalty. Can you explain?

Medicare Part B has three enrollment periods: an initial enrollment period when you turn 65, a special enrollment period if you carry health insurance from your current employer (or your spouse's current employer) and the general enrollment period. These enrollment periods are fully explained in the booklet, "Medicare and You," available at www.medicare.gov.

If you join Medicare Part B during either the initial period or under a special enrollment period, you do not incur a late enrollment penalty, nor do you have a long delay before Part B becomes effective. However, there is a penalty and a delay when you enroll under the general enrollment period.

The general period runs every year from Jan. 1 until March 31. During this time, you may contact Social Security Administration (1-800-772-1213 or www.ssa.gov) to enroll into Medicare Part B. Your Medicare Part B will not be effective until July 1. You will pay a monthly penalty charge for your Medicare Part B.

There is a premium calculator tool available online at www.medicare.gov/eligibilitypremiumcalc. Choose the tab on the bottom right hand corner, Calculate My Premium. While this online tool will provide a good estimate of your penalty, Social Security will calculate your exact penalty costs and add that amount to the monthly premium for Part B.

Amy Rubino is the director of the Senior Health Insurance Assistance Program and the Senior Medicare Patrol for the Anne Arundel County Department of Aging and Disabilities. You may contact either program at 410-222-4257 or ship_program@aacounty.org.

Credit: Amy Rubino - Amy Rubino is the director of the Senior Health Insurance Assistance Program and the Senior Medicare Patrol for the Anne Arundel County Department of Aging and Disabilities. You may contact either program at 410-222-4257 or ship_program@aacounty.org.