5 Steps for Older Adults to Take During Medicare Open Enrollment

Elderly Care in Indianapolis, INMedicare Open Enrollment runs through Dec. 7, and Great Care is happy to share the National Council on Aging’s checklist to help those with Medicare and their caregivers evaluate their coverage.

Across the country, folks with Medicare already have been bombarded with paperwork, sales pitches, and reminders, leaving many wondering where to start, says the council. The National Council on Aging (NCOA) is offering assistance with a handy checklist, email reminders, and more people to help those with Medicare to evaluate whether their coverage is still meeting their needs.

“There are always questions about how and when to start reviewing options during Medicare Open Enrollment,” says Leslie Fried, Senior Director of the NCOA Center for Benefits Access. “This year, we’re trying to make that process a little easier with a step-by-step checklist. Our Medicare education website, My Medicare Matters, (mymedicarematters.org) also is providing helpful information through several blog posts and email reminders that are timed to walk people through the process.”

Medicare Open Enrollment ChecklistThe NCOA’s Medicare Open Enrollment Checklist has 5 steps:

Step #1: Watch the mailbox – Before Open Enrollment, beneficiaries should have received their Annual Notice of Change (ANOC)/Evidence of Coverage (EOC). They also should have a Medicare & You handbook. If they put them aside, now is a good time to read them to see how their coverage may be changing this year.

Step #2: Gather personal information – To evaluate whether this year’s plan coverage is still appropriate, beneficiaries should gather their ANOC letter; a list of their prescriptions; a list of their providers; and an estimate of what they spent last year on health care services, fees, and copays.

Step #3: Go shopping – Now it’s time to shop. First, they’ll need to decide the kind of Medicare coverage that is right for them – then find the right policy. In most states, there are at least 25 Medicare Part D plans to choose from, and in some states as many as 40 Medicare Advantage plans are available.

Step #4: Seek expert advice – Beneficiaries don’t have to evaluate their options on their own. Start with a free and confidential Medicare QuickCheck®, which can evaluate their plan needs. Then visit the Medicare Plan Finder to compare policies. If they’d like free, personalized assistance, they should contact their State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP). Make an appointment early because availability can fill up quickly. They have just over seven weeks to do their research and make their decisions.

Step #5: Look ahead – After Open Enrollment ends on Dec. 7, it’s time to look ahead. It’s important to understand when new coverages take effect (even if they don’t change policies, they are likely to see policy changes starting Jan. 1) and to watch for another round of paperwork – this time about 2017 coverage.

“Choosing the right Medicare coverage can be difficult, and it doesn’t pay to wait until the last minute,” said Fried. “It’s important to review your coverage every Open Enrollment period to make sure your current plan still works for you. We’re hoping that with our checklist, you won’t feel alone in the process.”

Individuals with Medicare can sign up for My Medicare Matters reminder emails here and can read NCOA’s Complete Guide to Medicare Open Enrollment here.

About NCOA
The National Council on Aging is a respected national leader and trusted partner to help people aged 60+ meet the challenges of aging. Our mission is to improve the lives of millions of older adults, especially those who are struggling. Through innovative community programs and services, online help, and advocacy, NCOA is partnering with nonprofit organizations, government, and business to improve the health and economic security of 10 million older adults by 2020. Learn more at ncoa.org and on Twitter at @NCOAging.

 

The professionals at Great Care are available to talk with you and your family about all of your home care needs, including respite care. Great Care is a non medical in-home care agency providing quality and affordable elder care in Fishers, IN and the surrounding areas. Call (888) 240-9101 for more information.

About Julie S.

Julie Sullivan is the Owner at Great Care of Indianapolis, Indiana.
Great Care is a licensed, personal services agency, providing in-home care services to the Indianapolis, Indiana and surrounding areas. We serve the personal health and daily care needs of seniors or individuals who prefer to stay at home, but require assistance with everyday activities, such as dressing, personal hygiene, meal preparation, laundry or errands. Our team of certified nurse aids and home health aids can provide you with personalized, in-home care services to meet your needs, including:
• Daytime hourly in-home care
• Temporary or post-hospital respite care
• 24-hour, around-the-clock home care
• Morning and evening care
• Overnight / Slumber care
In addition, we offer our Care Compass service, to assist in setting the course for the next stage in your loved ones life. We guide you through the currents of aging, and help you find your true north. Our licensed nurses, with experience in hospice and geriatric care, will help guide you through the complex and often sensitive journey of selecting an in-home care service, and will provide a smooth transition to a new way of life for your loved one, without the anxiety and fear.
Our current nursing and management team has more than 75 years of combined experience in the home healthcare services industry. All of our caregivers are bonded, insured and screened thoroughly, so you know you’ll be receiving the greatest care possible. That’s why we stand by our mission: to deliver the same, quality care we expect for ourselves and our loved ones.