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Medicare open enrollment available until Dec. 31
By VALERIE JONES
Those who are eligible for Medicare can now enroll during the enrollment period which lasts until Dec. 31.
Qualifying individuals are those that are at least 65 years old, are disabled or drawing social security.
Many people have questions before they enroll in a particular Medicare program, so it’s best to research plans beforehand. Many times community workshops are offered to help people learn more about the options available to them.
“Basically, Medicare are insurance programs set up by the federal government and administered through different intermediaries for people after they retire,” said Donald Strickland, internal medicine physician at Northwest Diagnostic Clinic.
Strickland said there are four parts to Medicare coverage. Part A is for hospital stays, Part B is outpatient services, Part C is Medicare Advantage plans and Part D is prescription drug coverage.
“Part C encompasses A, B and D into its own entity,” Strickland said. “Medicare Advantage plans are set up to provide additional benefits to patients at lower costs by everybody working together. There is an increased interest in these plans for those people that don’t have continued secondary coverage after they turn 65.”
Strickland said Medicare Advantage plans save people money, but patients should first make sure that their physician or specialist participates in that plan.
“Each year, you are allowed to change your benefits,” Strickland said. “Part A is guaranteed, Part B is taken out of your social security if you elect to do that, Part C is if you choose to opt out of traditional Medicare and get Medicare Advantage and you can change Part D, too.”
A person should visit their Social Security Administration office to enroll in a Medicare plan and have handy documentation of birth such as a birth certificate and personal identification such as a driver’s license and social security card.
“People should talk with their families and physicians to discuss and determine the best Medicare option to fit their particular needs,” Strickland said.
Medicare plans
Part A - Hospital coverage
Part B - Outpatient services
Part C - Medicare Advantage plans
Part D - Prescription drug coverage
Qualifying individuals are those that are at least 65 years old, are disabled or drawing social security.
Many people have questions before they enroll in a particular Medicare program, so it’s best to research plans beforehand. Many times community workshops are offered to help people learn more about the options available to them.
“Basically, Medicare are insurance programs set up by the federal government and administered through different intermediaries for people after they retire,” said Donald Strickland, internal medicine physician at Northwest Diagnostic Clinic.
Strickland said there are four parts to Medicare coverage. Part A is for hospital stays, Part B is outpatient services, Part C is Medicare Advantage plans and Part D is prescription drug coverage.
“Part C encompasses A, B and D into its own entity,” Strickland said. “Medicare Advantage plans are set up to provide additional benefits to patients at lower costs by everybody working together. There is an increased interest in these plans for those people that don’t have continued secondary coverage after they turn 65.”
Strickland said Medicare Advantage plans save people money, but patients should first make sure that their physician or specialist participates in that plan.
“Each year, you are allowed to change your benefits,” Strickland said. “Part A is guaranteed, Part B is taken out of your social security if you elect to do that, Part C is if you choose to opt out of traditional Medicare and get Medicare Advantage and you can change Part D, too.”
A person should visit their Social Security Administration office to enroll in a Medicare plan and have handy documentation of birth such as a birth certificate and personal identification such as a driver’s license and social security card.
“People should talk with their families and physicians to discuss and determine the best Medicare option to fit their particular needs,” Strickland said.
Medicare plans
Part A - Hospital coverage
Part B - Outpatient services
Part C - Medicare Advantage plans
Part D - Prescription drug coverage
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