Medicare Corner
Things to consider when choosing a new plan (continued)
• Is my pharmacy in the plans’ preferred network? • Can I fill my prescriptions by mail order? • What is the plan’s star rating?
• If I have retiree coverage, will the Medicare drug plan work with this coverage? Ask yourself the following questions before choosing a Medicare Advantage Plan:
• How much are the monthly premiums, if any? • How much are deductible and coinsurance/copay amounts for the services I need? • What is the annual maximum out-of-pocket cost for the plan? • What service area does the plan cover? • Are my doctors and hospitals in the plan’s network? • What are the rules I must follow to access health care services and my drugs?
• Does the plan cover additional health care benefits that are not covered by Original Medicare? • What is the plan’s star rating? • Will this plan affect any additional coverage I may have? • If leaving Original Medicare and a Medigap for a Medicare Advantage Plan: Will I have the right to purchase a Medigap again later if I switch back to Original Medicare?
Protect yourself from marketing violations and enrollment fraud Medicare has rules about how plans can and cannot communicate with you to market their insurance products. Plans are allowed to send you mail and emails but are not allowed to call or visit you in person without your permission. Here are some red flags to watch out for: anyone who tries to pressure you to join their plan, anyone who claims they represent Medicare and wants to offer free services, or anyone threatening that you will lose your Medicare benefits unless you sign up for a certain plan. If you see any of these red flags or feel you may be experiencing Medicare fraud, abuse, or errors, you can contact your Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP). SMPs can teach you how to spot and protect yourself from potential Medicare fraud. Contact Your SHIP or SMP for Individualized Help Know how to change your coverage You may find it helpful to use Medicare’s Plan Finder tool , which gives you a list of Medicare Advantage Plans and Part D plans, the drugs they cover, and their estimated costs for the year. You can access Plan Finder by going online at www.medicare.gov or calling 1-800-MEDICARE.
Local SHIP contact information
Local SMP contact information
SHIP toll-free: 520.546.2011 SHIP email: ship@pcoa.org SHIP website: www.pcoa.org
SMP toll-free: 520.790.7573x2017 SMP email: lkhumalo@pcoa.org
SMP website: www.pcoa.org
This document was supported, in part, by grant numbers 90SATC0002 and 90MPRC0002 from the Administration for Community Living (ACL), Department of Health and Human Services, Washington, D.C. 20201. Grantees undertaking projects under government sponsorship are encouraged to express freely their findings and conclusions. Points of view or opinions do not, therefore, necessarily represent official Administration for Community Living policy.
November 2021, Never Too Late | Page 7
Pima Council on Aging
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