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It's that time of the year again, time to start thinking about making any necessary changes to your current Medicare plan.
Or maybe it's time to start thinking about enrolling in Medicare for the first time. ASA understands that Medicare information can be confusing and enrolling can be an uneasy process, yet there is nothing more important than protecting your health. We are here to help ease you into the process by providing you with as much information and guidance as possible. To speak with an ASA representative about your membership, call 1-800-951-0017. To learn more about the Medicare plans ASA has to offer, call 1-866-557-6161.
If you are already enrolled in a Medicare plan, soon to turn 65, or under the age of of 65 but qualify for Medicare, this is the time you start thinking about enrolling or updating your current plan. But before enrolling in a plan, you may first need to learn the facts. Here is a list of basic facts about the different Medicare plans:
Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance) and Part B (Medical Insurance): If you are already collecting retirement or disability benefits from Social Security or the Railroad Retirement Board, then you will be signed up for Medicare Part A and B automatically. If you have ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, then you will automatically be enrolled in Medicare Part A and Part B starting the first day your disability benefits begin.
Many people pay no Part A premium because either they or their spouse paid Medicare taxes while employed ("premium-free Part A"). Those who aren't eligible for "premium-free Part A" may sign up for Part A by paying a monthly premium; however, in most cases, if you sign up for Part A you are also required to sign up for Part B, which means you must pay a Part B premium as well.
If you didn't sign up for Medicare Part A or B when you first became eligible or don't qualify, you can enroll in the plans during the time period January 1 to March 31 each year, also known as General Enrollment Period. If you sign up for plans within this period, your coverage begins on July 1. If you are covered by a group health plan through work or a union, you can sign up for Part A and B at any time while working or during the 8-month period that begins the month after your group plan or your employment ends. This 8-month period is considered your Special Enrollment Period.
If you have Medicare Part A and TRICARE (coverage for active-duty military or retirees and their families), then you must enroll in Part B to keep your TRICARE coverage when you retire.
If you are interested in signing up for a Medigap policy (Medicare Supplement Insurance), your open enrollment period begins the first month you are both 65 and enrolled in Part B. Starting June 1, 2010, your Medigap options changed. Plans E, H, I & J are no longer available to buy, but if you purchased any of these plans prior to June 1 then you are able to keep your plan. Two new plans--M and N--are now available for purchasing. Select states are also now offering a Medicare SELECT policy, in which you are required to use certain hospitals, and often, certain doctors to get full coverage.
Medicare Advantage (Part C) and Prescription Drug Plan (Part D): If you are turning 65, you can sign up for either Part C and/or Part D beginning 3 months before you turn 65, your birthday month, and the 3 months following your birthday month (7 month period). If you are disabled and under 65, you can enroll in either or both plans starting 21 months after you first receive Social Security or Railroad Retirement Board benefits, and ending the 27th month after you first receive the benefits. If you enroll in Part B coverage but DO NOT have Part A, you can enroll in Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage between the period April 1 and June 30. If you have BOTH Part A and Part B you can enroll in Medicare Advantage (Part C) during that same time period (April 1-June 30) of each year.
There are different types of Medicare Advantage Plans:
- Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) Plans
- Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) Plans
- Private Fee-for-Service (PFFS) Plans
- Special Needs Plans
- HMO Point-of-service Plans
- Medical Savings Plans
As you may already know, the Medicare enrollment period began on November 15, 2010. It is referred to as the Annual Election/Enrollment Period (AEP). The Annual Enrollment Period occurs between November 15, 2010 and December 31, 2010. During this time you can join, switch, or drop your Medicare Advantage (Part C) and Part D Prescription Drug Plans. Here are your choices during AEP:
- Change from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage Plan.
- Change from a Medicare Advantage Plan back to Original Medicare.
- Switch from one Medicare Advantage Plan to another Medicare Advantage Plan.
- Switch from a Medicare Advantage Plan that doesn't offer drug coverage to a Medicare Advantage Plan that does offer prescription drug coverage.
- Join a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan.
- Switch from one Medicare Prescription Drug Plan to another Medicare Prescription Drug Plan.
- Drop your Medicare Prescription Drug Plan.
There are some minor changes happening within Medicare and the enrollment process during 2011. One change is that the name "Open Enrollment Period," which normally occurs between January 1 and March 31 of each year, is now being referred to as the " Annual Disenrollment Period." It is during this period that you will be able to disenroll from your Medicare Advantage Plan; however, you can enroll in a stand-alone Prescription Drug Plan or Part D coverage during the Disenrollment Period. Another change we will see in the 2011 year is a shortening of the Annual Enrollment/Election Period to 45 days. The period will begin on October 15, 2011 and will end on December 7, 2011. ASA will notify you if any other changes are being made within the upcoming Medicare enrollment periods.
The American Seniors Association provides its members with access to some of the most competitive plans for Medicare Advantage, prescription drug coverage, and Medicare Supplement insurance from top rated insurance companies nationwide.
The Annual Election/Enrollment Period is approaching quickly, so you better reexamine your current plan and make any necessary changes starting November, 15th! The last day to select or make changes on your Medicare plan is December 31, 2010, so don't miss your opportunity. Call866-557-6161 today.
Here are a few more changes you may see in 2011...
NEW-Starting January 1, 2011, your Part D monthly premium could be higher based on your income. This includes Part D coverage you get from a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan, or a Medicare Advantage Plan or Medicare Cost Plan that includes Medicare prescription drug coverage. If your modified adjusted gross income as reported on your IRS tax return from 2 years ago (the most recent tax return information provided to Social Security by the IRS) is above a certain amount, you will pay a higher monthly premium.
NEW-If you reach the coverage gap in 2010, (and you aren't already getting Extra Help), you will get a onetime $250 rebate check to help you with your drug costs. For more information, visit http://go.usa.gov/3Zq to view the publication, "Closing the Prescription Drug Coverage Gap." To find out more information on the changes of qualifying for Extra Help click here.
If you reach the coverage gap in 2011, you will get a 50% discount on covered brand-name prescription drugs at the time you buy them. There will be additional savings for you in the coverage gap each year through 2020 when you will have full coverage in the gap. Talk to your doctor or other health care provider to make sure that you're taking the lowest cost drug available that works for you.
NEW-If you are on a Medicare Advantage Plan, you can leave your plan and switch to a Original Medicare between January 1 and February 14, 2011. You are also able to enroll in a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan during this period. You are only allowed to disenroll during this period; there will be no opportunity to switch from Original Medicare to Medicare Advantage or switch from one Medicare Advantage Plan or Prescription Drug Plan to another.
To read more information about Medicare, the various plans, options, costs, penalties, enrollment periods, and changes occurring in 2011, click here.
If you have any questions regarding your membership with ASA or other benefits available to you, please contact us at
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. You can visit us on our website at www.AmericanSeniors.org. Remember, if you have any questions regarding Medicare, call 866-557-6161.
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