ENROLLMENT PERIOD DEADLINES: OCTOBER 15 TO DECEMBER 7TH
Medicare beneficiaries can make changes to their prescription and health plans once a year. If you have both Medicare and Medi-Cal, you can change your Medicare health plan plan anytime.
There are two main ways to get your Medicare coverage: Original Medicare or a Medicare Advantage Plan.
These changes could result in savings on medical costs-saving, or increased access to new benefits such as dental care, acupuncture, chiropractic care, hearing aids, eye glasses, and health club membership and preventive care services.
Changes to Medicare health plans can only be made between October 15 and December 7, 2011. They will take effect on January 1, 2012.
If you want to enroll in a Medicare Supplement plan, you're able to enroll in that plan for six months after you become eligible for, and enroll in Medicare Part B.
KNOW ALL YOUR COSTS: HOW MUCH IS YOUR MONTHLY PREMIUM, YOUR DEDUCTIBLE AND YOUR COPAY
It's important to know what you're going to pay each month -- your monthly premium -- it's much more important to know what your total out-of-pocket limit is in a given year.
Look for the Medicare Advantage plans with no or minimum monthly premium, annual deductible, copayments, and more importantly, minimum total out-of-pocket payments.
WHAT ARE THE NO COST EXTRA BENEFITS THE MEDICARE ADVANTAGE PLAN OFFERS?
Medicare does not cover the following services: routine dental care, optometry and eye glasses, acupuncture, long term care, hearing aids, routine chiropractor.
Look for the Medicare Advantage plan that offers at no cost (or minimal copay) to you the following benefits: dental care, hearing aids, eye wears, acupuncture, chiropractic care, long term care.
Look for the Medicare Advantage plan that offers transportation from your home to any healthcare providers, offers fitness membership, too.
REVIEW YOUR DRUG COVERAGE HEADING INTO 2012
You should review your existing Medicare prescription drug coverage during the 2012 Medicare Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) and make sure it's still the right plan for you.
You should know if you have to pay a monthly premium, how much is your copay for generic, and brand drug, how much you have to pay when you reach "donut hole".
DON'T TRAVEL WITHOUT HEALTH INSURANCE
Medicare will not pay medical claims outside the United States and its territories. If you are going to select a Medicare Advantage Plan, check how much is the coverage for international emergency medical care.
Look for the Medicare Advantage plan that offers at least $25,000 international emergency coverage.
DON'T BE AFRAID TO ASK FOR HELP
Medicare is complicated. You can get help through your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP), licensed health insurance agents who are certified to sell Medicare, family members or by calling Medicare at 1-800-Medicare, TTY users should call 1-877-486-2048 24 hours a day/7 days a week.
You may ask your family physician and your pharmacist for help, too.
