preparing for medicare open enrollment 2011 - aarp€¦ · open enrollment overview medicare basics...
TRANSCRIPT
Preparing for Medicare Open Enrollment
AARP Webinar Leaders
Susan Lutz Senior Project Manager, Education & Outreach Health Team
Nicole Duritz Vice President, Education & Outreach Health Team
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Agenda
Open Enrollment Overview
Medicare Basics
Medicare Choices
Things to consider when choosing a plan
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Why Open Enrollment is Important
1 time each year when you can change your plan
Make sure the plan you have now will still works for you
Make changes during Open Enrollment (Oct. 15 - Dec. 7, 2011)
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Open Enrollment Oct. 15 - Dec. 7, 2011
Earlier than ever before
Lasts for 7 weeks
More time to review your choices
Changes will be effective January 1, 2012
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Plans Change & You Change
Changes to your medications
Changes in your medical condition
Changes in where you live
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What You Can Do During Fall Open Enrollment
Choose Original Medicare or a Medicare Advantage Plan
Switch from one Medicare Advantage Plan to another
Join or switch Medicare Prescription Drug Plans
Drop your Medicare Prescription Drug coverage completely
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Medicare Basics
What is Medicare?
A federal health insurance program for:
• People 65 or older
• People under 65 with certain disabilities
• People of any age with End-Stage Renal Disease
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The Different Parts of Medicare
Part A (Hospital Insurance)
Part B (Medical Insurance)
Part D (Prescription Drug Coverage)
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Part A Helps cover inpatient hospital care
Other services include:
Some skilled nursing facility care
Hospice and home health care
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Part B
Some physician services
Outpatient hospital services
Certain home health services
Medicare-approved preventive services
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Part D
Helps cover the cost of prescription drugs
Provided through:
“Stand-alone” Medicare Prescription Drug Plans
Medicare Advantage Plans
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Medicare Choices
Original Medicare
Parts A and Part B
Part D (if you want prescription drug coverage)
Medicare Advantage Plans
Combines Parts A, B, and D
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Original Medicare
Fee-for-service health plan
Includes Parts A and B
You can go to any provider that accepts Medicare
Pays for many health care services, but not all
You must choose and join a Medicare Prescription Drug plan to get prescription drug coverage 14
Medicare Advantage Plans (Part C) Alternatives to Original Medicare
Plans are offered by private insurance companies
All plans include Part A and Part B, and in most cases, Part D
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How Medicare Advantage Plans Work
Live in plan’s service area
May get extra benefits
May have to use providers
in plan’s network
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www.medicare.gov 1-800-633-4227
Things to Consider When Choosing a Plan
Coverage
Cost
Convenience
Customer Service
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Coverage
Services you need?
Accepted by doctor?
Choice of providers?
Extra services?
Approved drugs?
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Cost
Premiums, deductibles?
Out-of-pocket costs?
Prescription drugs?
Hospitalization?
Doctor visits?
Annual limit?
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Convenience
Local providers?
Choice of providers?
Distance from home?
Pharmacy location?
Out-of-state coverage?
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Customer Service
Easy to contact?
Responsive to concerns?
High quality rating?
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www.medicare.gov/find-a-plan
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www.shiptalk.org
Resources Medicare
www.medicare.gov 1-800-633-4227
Medicare Plan Finder
www.medicare.gov/find-a-plan
State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP)
www.shiptalk.org
Social Security
www.socialsecurity.gov 1-800-325-0778
TRICARE (Department of Defense)
www.tricare.mil/mybenefit 1-866-773-0404
Office of Personnel Management
www.opm.gov/insure 1-888-767-6738
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Resources
AARP on Medicare
Find educational resources and information about Open Enrollment
www.aarp.org/openenrollment
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Resources
AARP on Medicare
Find educational articles on the basics of Medicare
Join active online communities on Insurance and Medicare
www.aarp.org/health/medicare 27
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