Open enrollment gives Nebraska seniors chance to review Medicare coverage

Older Nebraskans are advised to review their Medicare coverage plans during the annual open enrollment period that starts today.

During the window that runs through Dec. 7, seniors can join, switch or drop a Medicare plan or change Medicare Part D drug coverage or Medicare Advantage plans for the coming year.

Mike Carsey, a volunteer with Volunteers Assisting Seniors, said seniors should review what they have during this period because plans change each year.

The organization serves as the east-central Nebraska office of the federally funded Nebraska State Health Insurance Assistance Program, covering Douglas, Sarpy, Cass, Washington and Dodge Counties. Volunteers Assisting Seniors, like other such offices across the state, is staffed by trained and certified volunteers who provide free, unbiased consultations with Medicare-eligible clients who are looking for help comparing plans.

Taking the time to go through the process can pay off. Last year, Carsey said, the local group helped 1,400 people review their coverage, saving beneficiaries approximately $1.2 million.

Beneficiaries' medications, for example, may have changed since the previous year, he said. And even if the medications haven't changed, the contracts covering them may have changed.

Carsey said neither his medications nor his wife's have changed in six years. But they save money by adjusting their plan every year because of contract changes.

If beneficiaries like what they have, they can keep those plans. If they don't make a change, their current plan will roll over automatically next year.

Medicare Advantage participants, on the other hand, need to check to see whether their provider still accepts the plan.

For the next year, the highest deductible for a Medicare Part D prescription drug plan will be $545, up from $505 this year, he said. While that's the maximum set by the government, many plans will have lower deductibles based on the mix of medications a beneficiary uses and the pharmacy they select.

Beneficiaries shouldn't pick a plan based on premium alone, Carsey said. The volunteers will use the Medicare.gov plan finder to help them identify the least expensive option from a total cost standpoint, including premiums and medications.

While beneficiaries may have heard that Medicare will begun negotiating the prices of 10 high-cost drugs, he said, the prices have not yet been negotiated and that change won't take effect until 2026.

While the organization in recent years has conducted most of its consultations over the phone, volunteers this year will again offer in-person group counseling sessions in addition to in-person sessions at its office at 1941 S. 42nd St., Suite 312, on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. Phone appointments for review of plans will be offered six days a week.

To find a meeting location or make an appointment, call 402-444-6617. To contact other groups around the state, call 800-234-7119.

The organization's schedule for in-person group sessions:

Oct. 18, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Metropolitan Community College Digital Express, 30th and Fort Streets, Building 10, Omaha.

Oct. 18, noon to 2 p.m., Goodwill, 4805 N. 72nd St., Omaha.

Oct. 19, 10 a.m. to noon, Bellevue Senior Center, 109 W. 22nd Ave., Bellevue.

Oct. 19, 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., Urban League of Omaha, 3040 Lake Street, Omaha.

Oct. 20, 10 a.m. to noon, Camelot Community Center, 9270 Cady Ave., Omaha.

Oct. 20, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., Kay Jay Tower, 4500 S. 25th St., Omaha.

Oct. 23, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., Underwood Tower, 4850 Underwood Ave., Omaha.

Oct. 24, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Friendship Center, 1730 W. 16th St., Fremont.

Oct. 25, 9 a.m. to noon, Montclair Senior Center, 2304 S. 135th St., Omaha.

Oct. 26, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Southeast Community College Learning Center, 537 Main St., Plattsmouth.

Oct. 30, 9 a.m. to noon, Memorial Community Hospital & Health Services, 810 N. 22nd St., Blair.

Nov. 1, 10 a.m. to noon, Florence Senior Center, 2920 Bondesson St., Omaha.

Nov. 1, 9:30 a.m. to noon, Kroc Center, 2825 Y St., Omaha.

Nov. 8, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Metropolitan Community College Digital Express, 30th and Fort Streets, Building 10, Omaha.

Nov. 9, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Friendship Center, 1730 W. 16th St., Fremont.

Nov. 13, 9 a.m. to noon, Memorial Community Hospital & Health Services, 810 N. 22nd St., Blair.

Nov. 14, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., Crown Tower, 5904 Henninger Drive, Omaha.

Nov. 15, noon to 2 p.m., Goodwill, 4805 N. 72nd St., Omaha.

Nov. 15, 9:30 a.m. to noon, Kroc Center, 2825 Y St., Omaha.

Nov. 16, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Southeast Community College Learning Center, 537 Main St., Plattsmouth.

Dec. 6, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Metropolitan Community College Digital Express, 30th and Fort Streets, Building 10, Omaha.