Friday, October 25, 2019

Making the Most of Medicare Open Enrollment

Once a year Medicare beneficiaries have an opportunity to review their Medicare choices, see what new benefit options Medicare has to offer, and make changes to their coverage.

The Medicare open enrollment began October 15 and ends December 7, 2019. Coverage selected during this time becomes effective as of January 1, 2020.

To help beneficiaries with this process, counselors from Atlantic County’s State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) are available to review and compare plans and assist them in making informed choices about which plan is best suited to their needs and which programs could help save them money.

SHIP counselors can be reached at 1-888-426-9243 or (609) 645-5965, Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM to schedule an in-person appointment or telephone conference.

Whether you have Original Medicare or a Medicare Advantage plan, you will still have many of the same benefits and security you have now, including certain preventive benefits and cancer screenings that are available at no cost when provided by qualified and participating health professionals. The annual wellness visit lets you sit down with your doctor to discuss your health care needs and the best ways to stay healthy.

If you qualify for Pharmaceutical Assistance to the Aged and Disabled (PAAD), the state will pay your Part D monthly drug company premium and reduce your share to $5 for generic drugs and $7 for name brand drugs. The Specified Low Income Medicare Beneficiary (SLMB) program pays your monthly Part B premium. To apply for any of these state programs, call an Atlantic County SHIP counselor at 1-888-426-9243.

Medicare beneficiaries with limited income and resources may be eligible for Extra Help paying for their prescription drug coverage costs. To learn more about Extra Help assistance visit www.socialsecurity.gov/i1020 or call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213. (TTY, 1-800-325-0778) or an Atlantic County SHIP counselor at 1-888-426-9243.

To view and compare available plan options visit www.medicare.gov/find-a-plan or call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) 24-hours a day/7 days a week. TTY users may call 1-877-486-2048.

 

 

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