How one can navigate Medicare plan choices throughout COVID-19
Share this…FacebookPinterestTwitterLinkedin Doug Haaland is president of Tennessee Medicare. The annual Medicare Benefit and Medicare Prescription Drug Plan enrollment interval is…
- Doug Haaland is president of Tennessee Medicare.
The annual Medicare Benefit and Medicare Prescription Drug Plan enrollment interval is approaching. From October 15 to December 7, hundreds of thousands of individuals eligible for Medicare can enroll, swap or go away a well being care plan to suit their protection wants for 2022.
As a result of ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Medicare data and sources can be found that can assist you select the plan that’s best for you whereas staying protected. Web sites, on-line instructional occasions and one-on-one conferences with gross sales brokers are all nice methods to find out about your Medicare plan choices. On the identical time, it’s essential to entry Medicare sources on-line whereas defending your private data and avoiding pretend affords and different scams.
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Listed below are some suggestions for the best way to put together for the Medicare annual enrollment interval:
Use an internet instrument
Go to the Medicare Plan Finder on Medicare.gov to check plans, advantages and get an estimated price for every plan primarily based on a median member. If you’re enthusiastic about Medicare Half D, which helps cowl the price of prescription drugs, you may also enter the names of prescription drugs you’re taking to make sure these drugs are lined by the plan you’re contemplating.
On Medicare.gov, you may also find out about and enroll in Medicare Benefit plans, typically known as Half C or MA Plans, and go to an insurance coverage firm’s web site to grasp extra about what they provide.
Insurance coverage corporations that supply Medicare Benefit plans can present detailed details about their plans and providers, plus prescription pricing data and different advantages.
You can even test whether or not your major care doctor or different suppliers are in-network with the Medicare Benefit plan.
Join with specialists
Many insurance coverage corporations are providing on-line workshops to evaluation 2022 Medicare Benefit plan choices. Additionally, test to see if you happen to can schedule a one-on-one assembly with an insurance coverage firm gross sales agent in-person or by cellphone or video chat. Earlier than you attend an training occasion or assembly, it’s a good suggestion to arrange a listing of questions so as to make sure you get the knowledge you want. Does the plan embrace imaginative and prescient, listening to and dental protection? Will telehealth providers be lined? Is transportation to your medical appointments included?
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Defend your self in opposition to Medicare scams
The federal Medicare company has warned that scammers could attempt to use the pandemic to steal Medicare beneficiaries’ Medicare numbers, banking data or different private information. Scammers could attempt to attain out to you by cellphone, e mail, textual content message, social media or by visiting your property.
Solely give your Medicare quantity to your physician, pharmacist, hospital, well being insurer or different trusted well being care supplier. Don’t click on hyperlinks in textual content messages and emails from unknown sources, and grasp up on unsolicited cellphone calls.
If you’re not comfy accessing plan data on-line, you’ll have the choice to satisfy in-person with an agent this yr. Or Medicare.gov has an possibility for establishing a cellphone name.
To study extra, go to Medicare.gov or name 1-800-MEDICARE (800-633-4227).
Doug Haaland is president of Tennessee Medicare.
