Medicare Check Ups....

Medicare Open Enrollment is November 15-December 31.  Click here to see dates and times of Medicare Check Ups in the area.  At these check ups, you can review your healthcare plan.

 

Lake County Council on Aging Offers Free Assistance to Help Save on Medicare Costs

In the ongoing mission to empower lives, the Lake County Council on Aging reminds residents of the free Medicare Savings Program and the Social Security Extra Help Program (also known as Low-Income Subsidy) available to Medicare beneficiaries with limited income and resources.

Through no-cost, one-on-one appointments, the Council on Aging will assist beneficiaries with the application process by helping them to complete the application and obtain the associated paperwork. Beneficiaries may be eligible to receive assistance with their Medicare Part B premium and Part D costs.

In addition, trained Ohio Senior Health Insurance Information Program (OSHIIP) volunteers resolve Medicare, Medicaid and secondary insurance questions for seniors and their support system. Appointments are available.  For more information, call Alyea Barajas, Community Services Coordinator, at (440) 205-8111 ext 241 or email her at alyeab@lccoa.org.  

Medicare Q & A

Q: What does the Health Reform mean to Medicare Beneficiaries?

A: In March the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (H.R. 3590) and the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010 (H.R. 4872) became law.  These bills are collectively known as the Affordable Care Act (ACA).  The ACA is intended to strengthen Medicare by improving some benefits, protecting guaranteed Medicare benefits, and extending Medicare’s financial solvency.  The ACA provides that nothing in the Act shall result in a reduction of guaranteed benefits under Medicare.  Here are some of the changes you can expect to see in 2010 and 2011 for Medicare beneficiaries.

  • New annual wellness visit.

  • Elimination of cost-sharing (Part B annual deducible and 20% coinsurance) for Medicare-covered preventive services. 

  • Provides a $250 rebate to those who enter the coverage gap (“doughnut hole”) in 2010.  Checks are automatically issued.  Rebate checks will not be sent to those enrolled in the Low-Income Subsidy (LIS) or a qualified retiree drug plan.

  • Effective January 2011, Part D beneficiaries will receive a 50% discount on name brand medications and a 7% discount on generics while in the coverage gap.

  • Prohibits Medicare Advantage plans from imposing higher cost sharing requirements for some Medicare covered benefits, including chemotherapy, dialysis services, and skilled nursing care, than those charged under Original Medicare. 

  • Eliminates the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (January 1-March 31).  Starting in 2011 provides a 45-day disenrollment period to Medicare Advantage enrollees (January 1- February 14).  This will be referred to as the Medicare Advantage Disenrollment Period.  During this period you will be allowed to return to Original Medicare and enroll in a stand-alone Part D plan.

  • Changes the Annual Enrollment Period to October 15- December 7 in 2011.  For 2010 the Annual Enrollment period remains November 15- December 31.

-Taken from Health Assistance PartnerSHIP

For more information, call Alyea Barajas, Community Services Coordinator, at (440) 205-8111 ext 241 or email her at alyeab@lccoa.org.  

 

 

Additional Resources

2009 Consumer Information and Insurance brochure

Medicare

Social Security

Ohio Department of Insurance

Ohio's Best Rx

Pharmaceutical Assistance Programs

Application for Extra Help With Prescription Drug Costs Through Social Security

Lake County Drug Repository Program
(prescription assistance)

Questions?

If you have questions, trained Ohio Senior Health Insurance Information Program (OSHIIP) volunteers are available. For help or to schedule an appointment, call Alyea Barajas, Senior Health Insurance and Consumer Information Services Coordinator, at (440) 205-8111 ext 241 or email her at alyeab@lccoa.org.

Medicare (Click to go to the Medicare Web site)

What is Medicare?
Federal health insurance program administered by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) for those who are:

  • Age 65 and older
  • Any age and Disabled
  • Diagnosed with End Stage Renal Disease

Initial Enrollment Period: Seven month period beginning three months prior to the month you turn 65 to three months after the month you turn age 65.

Part A
*Inpatient Hospitalization
*Skilled Nursing Facilities
*Home Health Care
*Hospice

Part B
*Doctor Services
*Preventative Benefits
*Durable Medical Equipment

Part C (Medicare Advantage plans)
*Includes Part A, Part B, and usually other coverage including prescription
drugs

Part D
*Helps cover the cost of prescription drugs

2010 Costs

Part A:
*Hospital deductible $1100 per benefit period (days 1-60)
*Hospital daily copayment $275 (days 61-90)
*Lifetime Reserve copayment $550 (days 61-150)
*Skilled Nursing daily copayment $137.50 (days 21-100)

Part B:
*Monthly Premium $96.40 if already on Medicare and premium is being deducted from your Social Security check, $110.50 for all others
*Annual Deductible $155
*Copayment generally 20% of Medicare approved amounts

Part C:
*Costs vary by plan

Part D:
*Costs vary by plan
*National Base Premium $31.94
* Maximum deductable $310.00

Annual Coordinated Enrollment Period: November 15-December 31
*Enroll in, disenroll from  or switch Medicare Part D or  Medicare Advantage plans
*Change is effective January 1

Medicare Advantage Enrollment Period: January 1-March 31
*Enroll in, disenroll from or change Medicare Advantage plans one time
*Change effective first day of the following month
*Cannot use to add or drop Medicare prescription coverage

 

For more information, call Alyea Barajas, Community Services Coordinator, at (440) 205-8111 ext 241 or email her at alyeab@lccoa.org.