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Green, Ohio —
Medicare participants, it is time for another election. Not to vote for the politicians but, it is the Annual Election Period for choosing or changing your 2011 health care coverage. The deadline is Dec. 31.
With the passage of the new health care reform, things have become more confusing for the 90,353 Summit County residents that are eligible for Medicare. The open enrollment period has changed and decisions for any changes must now be made by the end of December.
Previously, participants had a second opportunity to change Medicare prescription drug plans and Medicare Advantage plans, return to original Medicare, or enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan for the first time after the first of the year. Seniors now only have until the end of this year to select a plan that will meet their needs for the new year.
With this decision comes many questions. SummaCare Vice President for Medicare and Individual Products, Jim Loveless stated, “You are not alone in this decision process.” He suggests talking with your doctor or pharmacist as they are your medication experts.
“Many Medicare organizations, such as SummaCare, also offer community meetings and enrollment counseling throughout the Annual Election Period. Additionally, talk to your loved ones to make sure the decision you are making is right for you. And once you are enrolled in a plan, make sure to find out if there are local resources for any questions you have once you start to use your new plan,” Loveless said.
“It is important, in order to make a confident plan decision, to understand the Medicare 'alphabet',” he stated. Specifically, Medicare has four parts: Part A is Hospital Insurance, which helps pay for the care while in a hospital, skilled nursing facility or hospice care center.
Part B is Medical Insurance that covers doctors, outpatient hospital care and other services that Medicare Part A does not cover, such as physical therapy. Part C, (Medicare Advantage), are the plans available from other companies such as SummaCare. These provide Medicare beneficiaries with richer benefits that often include valuable preventive health and wellness services and lower out-of-pocket costs. Part D is Prescription Drug Coverage that helps with Medicare-approved prescription drugs.
Loveless suggests you do your homework and act quickly so that 2011 rings in a good Medicare new year for you.
Additional information on Medicare can be obtained by visiting Medicare.gov or medicare.summacare.com, or by calling 888-464-8440.
Medicare participants, it is time for another election. Not to vote for the politicians but, it is the Annual Election Period for choosing or changing your 2011 health care coverage. The deadline is Dec. 31.
With the passage of the new health care reform, things have become more confusing for the 90,353 Summit County residents that are eligible for Medicare. The open enrollment period has changed and decisions for any changes must now be made by the end of December.
Previously, participants had a second opportunity to change Medicare prescription drug plans and Medicare Advantage plans, return to original Medicare, or enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan for the first time after the first of the year. Seniors now only have until the end of this year to select a plan that will meet their needs for the new year.
With this decision comes many questions. SummaCare Vice President for Medicare and Individual Products, Jim Loveless stated, “You are not alone in this decision process.” He suggests talking with your doctor or pharmacist as they are your medication experts.
“Many Medicare organizations, such as SummaCare, also offer community meetings and enrollment counseling throughout the Annual Election Period. Additionally, talk to your loved ones to make sure the decision you are making is right for you. And once you are enrolled in a plan, make sure to find out if there are local resources for any questions you have once you start to use your new plan,” Loveless said.
“It is important, in order to make a confident plan decision, to understand the Medicare 'alphabet',” he stated. Specifically, Medicare has four parts: Part A is Hospital Insurance, which helps pay for the care while in a hospital, skilled nursing facility or hospice care center.
Part B is Medical Insurance that covers doctors, outpatient hospital care and other services that Medicare Part A does not cover, such as physical therapy. Part C, (Medicare Advantage), are the plans available from other companies such as SummaCare. These provide Medicare beneficiaries with richer benefits that often include valuable preventive health and wellness services and lower out-of-pocket costs. Part D is Prescription Drug Coverage that helps with Medicare-approved prescription drugs.
Loveless suggests you do your homework and act quickly so that 2011 rings in a good Medicare new year for you.
Additional information on Medicare can be obtained by visiting Medicare.gov or medicare.summacare.com, or by calling 888-464-8440.
