Navigating Medicare Open Enrollment – Part III

By Michelle M. Mulvena, Esq.

This is the final segment in a three-part series that discusses the Medicare open enrollment period for Medicare Parts A, B, C and D. Be sure to check out Part I and Part II in the series.

As you know, the Medicare annual open enrollment period began on November 15, 2010 and runs through December 31, 2010. This is the only opportunity you will have to make changes to your Medicare plans for 2011 so it is essential to take advantage of this time frame.

The health care reform act has changed Medicare coverage. Thus it is particularly important to do your homework for your 2011 Medicare coverage.

The changes include:

1. Starting in 2011, Medicare participants will be able to receive preventive services like mammograms and colonoscopies for free.
2. The prescription drug coverage gap known as the “donut hole” will decrease until it is eliminated in 2020. This year, eligible participants who hit the donut hole received a $250 rebate check. Next year, participants will receive a 50 percent discount on the brand name prescription drugs they purchase when they hit the donut hole.
3. Free annual wellness check ups starting in 2011.

Many Medicare plans change or are eliminated every year. But this year there are an exceptional number of plans that will be discontinued. Even those with plans that are continuing should be carefully evaluated to ensure they cover the medications you need and that you can afford the premiums, deductibles and co-pays.

Resources for Medicare Beneficiaries

1. Visit www.medicare.gov. Personalized comparisons of costs and coverage plans available in your area. Multilingual Open Enrollment information and counseling is available.
2. Call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) for around-the-clock assistance to find out more about coverage options. TTY users should call 1-877-486-2048.
3. Review the 2011 Medicare & You handbook. It is also accessible at www.medicare.gov and has been mailed to the homes of people with Medicare benefits.
4. Contact your local Elder Service Plan (ESP) for free one-on-one assistance. In the Somerville/Cambridge area your local Elder Service Plan is Somerville-Cambridge Elder Services, 61 Medford Street, Somerville, MA 02143-3429, 617-628-2601.
5. Get one-on-one counseling assistance from the local State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP). Local SHIP contact information can be found:

• At http://www.medicare.gov/contacts/organization-search-criteria.asp
• On the back of the 2011 Medicare & You handbook or;
• By calling Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227; TTY, 1-877-486-2048)
• Through a listing of national stand-alone prescription drug plans and state specific fact sheets can be found at: http://www.cms.hhs.gov/center/openenrollment.asp

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Michelle Mulvena is an attorney at Moschella & Winston, a law firm specializing in legal planning and protection for individuals and families for over 30 years. She is also host of the Somerville Cable TV show, “Legally Speaking with Michelle Mulvena.” Please contact her at mm@moschellawinston.com or (617) 776-3300.

Navigating Medicare Open Enrollment – Part II

By Michelle M. Mulvena, Esq.

This is the second posting in a three part series that discusses the Medicare open enrollment period for Medicare Parts A, B, C and D. Check out the first part here.

As you know, the Medicare annual open enrollment period began on November 15, 2010 and runs through December 31, 2010. This is the only opportunity you will have to make changes to your Medicare plans for 2011 so it is essential to take advantage of this time frame.

Medicare benefits are split into four parts:

1. Part A covers hospitalization and other in-patient care.
2. Part B covers services and treatment such as doctor visits.
3. Part C is known as the Medicare Advantage plan, which includes Part A and Part B as well as extra benefits.
4. Part D is the prescription drug plan.

Beneficiaries choose either original Medicare (A and B) or the advantage plan, and can then elect to add Part D. If the beneficiary needs services not covered by these plans, they can select a Medigap plan.

Participants of Part C, Medicare Advantage, get government-provided Medicare through a private insurance company, in the form of a health maintenance organization or a preferred provider organization. It usually includes the elements of Part A and Part B hospitalization, medical care and a prescription drug plan, and often comes with extras, such as covered annual physicals.

Medicare Advantage includes specialized care for people who need a large amount of health care services. In addition participants are covered for emergency or urgent care services when traveling outside of their plan coverage area.

For Medicare Advantage participants it is especially important to pick the right plan during the open enrollment period. Unlike previous years, people enrolled in Medicare Advantage plans can no longer switch to other Medicare Advantage plans during January, February and March. However, after January 1, 2011, participants can still leave their Advantage plan and go back to original Medicare.

Right now there is a lot of information circulating out there about the open enrollment period. Buyer beware of Medicare scams and take precautions to protect your Medicare number as diligently as you would protect your social security number. Identity theft and fraud targeting seniors is in full force this time of year. Make sure you are receiving information from trusted sites such as Medicare.gov or from your local Senior Center or Elder Service Plan.

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Michelle Mulvena is an attorney at Moschella & Winston, a law firm specializing in legal planning and protection for individuals and families for over 30 years. She is also host of the Somerville Cable TV show, “Legally Speaking with Michelle Mulvena.” Please contact her at mm@moschellawinston.com or (617) 776-3300.

Navigating Medicare Open Enrollment – Part I

by Michelle M. Mulvena, Esq.

Medicare Open Enrollment

This is the first blog in a three part series on the Medicare open enrollment period for Medicare Parts A, B, C and D.

The Medicare annual open enrollment period began on November 15, 2010 and runs through December 31, 2010.  This is the only opportunity you will have to make changes to your Medicare plans for 2011 so it is essential to take advantage of this time frame.

During the Open Enrollment period, current or newly eligible Medicare beneficiaries, including people with Original Medicare, can review current health and prescription drug coverage, compare health and drug plan options available in their area, and choose coverage that best meet their needs.

Navigating the Medicare enrollment process can be an overwhelming and daunting task for many seniors and their families.  Fortunately, a wealth of resources are available to assist you in determining your coverage needs and comparing available plans.

Resources for Medicare Beneficiaries

1. Visit http://www.medicare.gov/.  Personalized comparisons of costs and coverage plans available in your area.  Multilingual Open Enrollment information and counseling is available.
2. Call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) for around-the-clock assistance to find out more about coverage options. TTY users should call 1-877-486-2048.
3. Review the 2011 Medicare & You handbook. It is also accessible at www.medicare.gov and has been mailed to the homes of people with Medicare benefits.
4. Contact your local Elder Service Plan (ESP) for free one-on-one assistance from a  SHINE (Serving Health Information Needs of Elders) Counselor.  In the Somerville/Cambridge area your local Elder Service Plan is Somerville-Cambridge Elder Services, 61 Medford Street, Somerville, MA 02143-3429, 617-628-2601
5. Get one-on-one counseling assistance from the local State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP). Local SHIP contact information can be found:
   • At http://www.medicare.gov/contacts/organization-search-criteria.asp
   • On the back of the 2011 Medicare & You handbook or;
   • By calling Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227; TTY, 1-877-486-2048)
   • Through a listing of national stand-alone prescription drug plans and state specific fact sheets can be found at:   http://www.cms.hhs.gov/center/openenrollment.asp

The new health care reform act has broadened Medicare coverage starting in January of 2011.  So even though the holidays can be a very hectic time, it is important to start the open enrollment process now to ensure your plan includes the most comprehensive coverage available to you.

Nothing is more important than your health.

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Michelle Mulvena is an attorney at Moschella & Winston, a law firm specializing in legal planning and protection for individuals and families for over 30 years. She is also host of the Somerville Cable TV show, “Legally Speaking with Michelle Mulvena.” Please contact her at mm@moschellawinston.com or (617) 776-3300.