Medicare

With us being in full swing of Part D open enrollment, I can hardly stand not to talk about it. There are so many things to know and so many people just don't understand it. It's funny how much there is to know and I had to have training in order to be considered a counselor yet Seniors are expected to age into something they know very little about. When you get your Medicare & You 2009 book, don't just toss it, read it. It has a wealth of knowledge!

Ok, here is my next installment

AGING INTO MEDICARE: Original Medicare

The following are guidelines to help you as you age into Medicare.

When you turn 65, you have a 7 month window to sign up for Medicare. That is, you will have 3 months before your birth month, your birth month and 3 months after your birth month (Initial Enrollment Period or IEP). Generally, if you are disabled, you will have 3 months before and 3 months after your 25th month of disability.

You will have a guaranteed issue (GI) period for a Medigap Policy from the day Part B becomes effective and GI will last six months, if you are 65 or older.

If you have ever received Social Security (SS), you should receive your card automatically in the mail about a month or so before your 65th birthday. If you do not receive it, call Social Security @ 1-800-772-1213.

If you have never received Social Security, you will need to call that office in order to get your Medicare card. (1-800-772-1213)

You will also receive a Medicare packet in the mail. You will find in the materials sent, the “Medicare & You” book. This book will have Medicare information of importance to you. You should keep this book handy in case you have questions about your Medicare coverage.

You will have the option of selecting a prescription drug plan under the Medicare Prescription Drug Program (Part D). You will have the same 7 month window to choose a Part D Plan. (see #1)

If you do not join a Part D Plan during your IEP (see #1) or within 63 days of you losing credible coverage (drug coverage at least as good as or better than Medicare’s coverage), you could have a penalty to pay in addition to the Part D monthly premium. This penalty will be with you for as long as you have Medicare.

You can switch to a different drug plan during the Open Enrollment Period (OEP) from November 15th – December 31st each year. Your new choice will go into effect on January 1st of the following year.

For assistance with your Medicare questions call you Medicare SHIP (State Health Insurance Assistance Program) Office for FREE Medicare counseling.

I am offering this information in good faith but I encourage you to contact 1-800 Medicar(e) or you local SHIP office to talk with someone personally about your questions. You may have a unique situation that may need personalized counseling as opposed to general information. And, there may be changes that would therefore, out date this information.

Medicare Part D...

If you read my post with the 7 random facts about me, then you know I have some knowledge about Medicare.

If you are a senior or know a senior or anyone who has Medicare, please check your Part D plan to make sure it is still a good plan for you for 2009. There are many changes in my state to the Part D plans and I am sure there are changes in your state. Just because you have had a good deal with your current Part D plan does not mean you will have a good deal with the same plan for 2009.

Medicare has a wonderful website where you can input your Medicare information and a list of your medications and be able to compare all the Part D plans in your zip code. Between November 15th and December 31st, you can even enroll into a Part D plan online through the Medicare website. You can also get help comparing plans by calling 1-800-Medicar(e). This number is open 24hrs a day. They can also enroll you into a plan. You may be able to contact a local senior center or a government agency that can put you into contact with other organizations that can help you compare and enroll into a Part D plan for 2009. Every state has a SHIP office, which is a non-profit volunteer organization funded through grants from Medicare that can help.

Do you need help paying for your prescriptions? If so, contact Social Security at 1-800-772-1212 for an application for Low Income Subsidy. You can also apply online at the Social Security website.

You may want to contact your local Welfare Office and talk with some one about a Medicare Savings Program. This program will help pay for your prescriptions and possibly other medical related expenses if you qualify.

Remember, you must contact and submit applications to programs that assist Medicare Beneficiaries in paying for prescriptions and other medical related expenses. There are set income and resource limits along with other factors that may qualify or disqualify you for the program. The only ones that can tell you if you qualify are those programs who have your application.

Well friends, I have offered quite a bit of information to get you started on comparing and finding a Medicare Part D plan for 2009. My hope with this post (and I am sure a few others during open enrollment) is that those who happen to find my blog and read about Medicare will take the initiative to find help or be to able to help your self finding a plan that works for you.

Maybe the next Medicare post will be about the extra help that is available. I touched on it in this post but there is a little more to know.