Period now open for health questions
During the open enrollment period, which began
According to the
Navigating the complex landscape can be difficult, and the advertising blitz can make the task even more difficult.
Free counseling sessions with
Volunteers with SHIBA, a service of the state
One of the biggest challenges facing Medicare beneficiaries is the volume of choices and the amount of information, much of it coming from insurance companies promoting Medicare Advantage plans.
"Many people are confused by the ads. They get lots of mailers and they get lots of phone calls," Bennett said. "All that is, is people selling, so they need to be very careful."
Most people don't shop for plans. According to a survey by the health research nonprofit KFF — formerly known as the
As difficult as it can be, looking for and finding the right plan can help ensure you receive the right care. It also can save money.
Clients fill out a form with information about their medications, and Brandelius enters it into the Medicare website to find the lowest out-of-pocket cost. She sends the results to the client, who tells her which plan they want, and Brandelius submits their approval to Medicare.
"They don't have to do anything," said Brandelius, who received almost 300 applications this year. "Just wait for their new card in the mail."
She said the system worked well for her clients, many of whom lacked internet access or found the Medicare website too difficult to use. Others weren't aware of updates to Medicare drug plans, so they remained on plans that cost them more than they should have been spending.
Medicare plans, health and medical needs, finances and access to providers all can change during the course of a year, and that's why beneficiaries should review their plans annually, experts say.
"All of a sudden, all of these people don't have a plan available to them starting
Medicare Advantage plans can appear to be attractive alternatives to Medicare because they cover services it doesn't, like vision and dental care. But Medicare Advantage plans have disadvantages that patients need to be aware of, said Dr.
"They can provide fairly good coverage," he said. "But there is pre-authorization for tests and care that are usually denied. That can add weeks to months of waiting until they're finally approved."
During that time, medical care can be put on hold until the insurer grants its approval.
Unlike traditional Medicare that is accepted across the country by most doctors and hospitals, Medicare Advantage plans are based on provider networks that can limit access to care, constraining a person's ability to find local providers if they don't work with their plan.
With traditional Medicare, Maxwell said, "I can make referrals to whom I want, where I want and when I want."
Talking to your doctor about your medical and healthcare needs is an important step in making an informed decision about the plan you choose, he said.
Although they don't assist with enrollment like SHIBA, community resource navigators at NOHN and financial counselors at
There are ways patients can assist the counselors, McCutcheon said.
"Having the questions you want answered at hand, knowing what you're looking for, knowing where you want to seek care, knowing if you want a plan that has a low premium but higher out-of-pocket costs or vice versa will help us understand what your goals are and better guide you," he said.
If a person believes they might qualify for low-income assistance, bringing financial information to a visit is particularly helpful as well, McCutcheon said.
"Don't try to do it all yourself," McCutcheon said. "Use the resources that are available and have someone walk you through so you make the best choice."
Health care resources
From
From
From
From
From
From
Shipley Center,
From
From
Forks
Contact
Contacts
• SHIBA offers virtual sessions during open enrollment every from
To reach SHIBA directly, call 800-562-6900.
•
• NOHN Community Resource Navigators, 360-452-7891, ext. 2894 or ext. 3011
•
• The Medicare.gov website has many resources and is fairly easy to navigate. You can compare coverage options, find health and drug plans and order "Medicare & You 2025." The free booklet is available in a number of languages and in large print. Go to www.medicare.gov/publication-ordering/10050. To speak with a person, call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227).
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