Open Enrollment – A Time for You to Take Control of Your Medicare Insurance

Open enrollment for Medicare Advantage health insurance and Medicare prescription drug plans started on October 15^th and goes to December 7^th. You no doubt have been receiving mail, phone calls and emails telling you it’s time to review your plan, or, if you’re just turning 65 to register for Medicare. If you’re like me, you’re pretty wary of all of these different companies offering free information and help with your review. You understand that in the end most of them want to sell you something. While this isn’t a bad thing in and of itself, their focus may not always be to offer you the best health services that match your individual situation at the lowest cost. I say this because I want to be up front with what my motivations are.

I’m paid by the Healthcare Leadership Council (HLC), a Washington based nonprofit made up of a coalition of chief executives from all disciplines within American healthcare. As the spokesperson for Seniors Speak Out, I try to advocate and educate for older Americans. The broad scope of the HLC membership dictates that I cannot, and I really don’t want to, recommend or advise on which Medicare Advantage insurance plan, Medicare Supplemental insurance plan or prescription drug plan is best. My only motivation in discussing open enrollment is to try and offer basic information that will lead you to accurately review your coverage and get the plan that fits you the best at the best price. One way I hope to accomplish that goal is through a virtual town hall on November 17th at 2PM ET that will offer answers to the most common questions that are asked during open enrollment and also give you a chance to ask any questions that you may have. You can register for the virtual town hall here.

In the meantime, I would like to offer some suggestions as you get ready to review your Medicare coverage.

• Take a moment to review your health and the direction it is going. When you’re older the one thing to count on is an increase in health problems. Discoveries in healthcare have enabled us to have healthier lives for longer than ever before, but time will catch up to all of us. Your evaluation of this year’s healthcare needs and your estimate of what next year will bring could have a big impact on which plan is right for you. Be as detailed as you can.
• Write down all of the prescription drugs you take, the name, the dosage, and the manufacturer. Write down any over the counter drugs, including vitamins and nutritional supplements you take. Keep this information up to date, not only for open enrollment but also for your doctor visits.
• Review your “2022 Medicare & You Handbook.” You can get a copy by logging into (or creating) your secure Medicare account.
• You can always get help at www.shiphelp.org, the State Health Insurance Assistance Programs. These are local trained assistants who can give you invaluable help.

Reviewing your health plans during this open enrollment period can potentially save you money.

I know that there have been many discussions about Medicare and proposed changes. Don’t let this rhetoric cause you to miss the chance to take charge of your Medicare and review your coverage and change plans if that’s what’s right for you. There’s been no legislative changes to Medicare so there is no reason to delay your coverage review.

Please don’t forget to look for signup information for our November 17^th town hall.

Best, Thair