Attention: Medicare Open Enrollment ends December 7

SleepGeek · Post by **SleepGeek** » Wed Oct 18, 2023 12:46 pm

Go right to the bottom:
viewtopic/p1449060/Attention-Medicare-O ... l#p1449060

from an email:
Medicare's Open Enrollment Period is here! Visit Medicare.gov now through December 7 to compare all your coverage options. If you decide to enroll in a different option, your new coverage will start January 1.

Compare Coverage Options https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9. ... 80359400-l
Save time — create or log into your secure Medicare account to:

Review a summary of your current coverage.
Compare your current plan with next year's plan. Select "Compare Plan Details" on your summary page to see a side-by-side comparison of how your current plan's costs and benefits will change in 2024.
Save your drugs and local pharmacies to your account to get better estimates of your prescription drug costs. Your costs can vary based on the pharmacy you use, so picking different pharmacies helps you find the lowest prices.

Why compare? Plans change, and your health care needs may have changed, too. Think about which benefits matter most to you, and explore all your coverage options to find your best fit. You could save money, find better coverage, or both!

Sincerely,

The Medicare Team

SleepGeek · Post by **SleepGeek** » Wed Oct 18, 2023 12:51 pm

Did you know you have choices in your Medicare prescription drug and health coverage?

Medicare's Open Enrollment Period (October 15 - December 7) is your chance to think about what matters most to you. Plans can change from year to year, and your health needs may change, too. So it's important to know your options.

Explore Coverage Options https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9. ... 64439257-l

You have 2 main ways to get your Medicare coverage — Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage (Medicare-approved plans from private companies). It's important to understand the differences between the 2 options.

Start at Medicare.gov, your official source to find the type of coverage that fits you best. If you need more help comparing options:

Call us at 1-800-MEDICARE during Open Enrollment.

Contact your local State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP). Visit shiphelp.org to get the phone number for your state.

Pugsy · Post by **Pugsy** » Wed Oct 18, 2023 12:52 pm

I am SOOOOOO sick of all those commercials. I switch channels as soon as I can but often there's just another ad on a different station at the same time and when that happens I leave the room and try to go find something productive to do.
OMG..here's another one. Time to go outside and be productive.

Though...everyone....do your homework if you are considering changing one way or the other.

SleepGeek · Post by **SleepGeek** » Wed Oct 18, 2023 1:08 pm

Pugsy wrote: ↑
Wed Oct 18, 2023 12:52 pm
I am SOOOOOO sick of all those commercials.

So am I. Fact is I just had a friend who lost his wife yesterday. She had her 70th birthday last week. Fact is she never applied for Social Security because they wanted her to get her Maximum @70y/o.

Not sure what they had for insurance but it prob wasn't Medicare.

First - Visit shiphelp.org to get the phone number for your state.
Then make sure the plan you choose will cover your cpap supplies and any meds you take today.

chunkyfrog · Post by **chunkyfrog** » Wed Oct 18, 2023 2:01 pm

I did it ONCE on my own, to a year of paying too much for too little.
Now, I use SHIP. Every year.
It's FREE, and the best way to avoid costly regret.
Of course, I have to get up ungodly early next Tuesday--but it's worth it.

SleepGeek · Post by **SleepGeek** » Wed Oct 18, 2023 2:17 pm

SleepGeek wrote: ↑
Wed Oct 18, 2023 1:08 pm
First - Visit shiphelp.org to get the phone number for your state.
Then make sure the plan you choose will cover your cpap supplies and any meds you take today.

AND be sure any & all docs you see are on the plan you choose.

Can you use the plan if/when you travel? Some are only ER visits.

I know with many *Advantage* Plans if you move (even to another county) you will need to choose another plan all over again.

Get a notebook and write down your questions before you call.

Janknitz · Post by **Janknitz** » Fri Oct 20, 2023 4:31 pm

Just a word that SHIP in California is called HICAP (Heath Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program) and they can be reached at 1-800-434-0222.

And to reiterate--this is totally free counseling. SHIP and HICAP do not sell insurance. They are federally funded to assist you in finding the appropriate plan for your needs. Have a list of your medications and dosages available when you call (to find the best Part D Plan) and don't forget to inquire about CPAP coverage!

chunkyfrog · Post by **chunkyfrog** » Fri Oct 20, 2023 10:34 pm

Pugsy wrote: ↑
Wed Oct 18, 2023 12:52 pm
I am SOOOOOO sick of all those commercials.
. . .

That and junk mail for everything else!
I want to mount a shredder on the mailbox post, so the trash can go directly into the garden.

Janknitz · Post by **Janknitz** » Fri Oct 27, 2023 5:00 pm

SleepGeek wrote: ↑
Wed Oct 18, 2023 1:08 pm

Pugsy wrote: ↑
Wed Oct 18, 2023 12:52 pm
I am SOOOOOO sick of all those commercials.
So am I. Fact is I just had a friend who lost his wife yesterday. She had her 70th birthday last week. Fact is she never applied for Social Security because they wanted her to get her Maximum @70y/o.

Not sure what they had for insurance but it prob wasn't Medicare.

You are eligible for Medicare at age 65 regardless of when you take SS retirement. I don't plan to take SS until age 70 because my husband took his early. But Medicare part A kicks in at age 65 regardless. If you have an employer group health plan, that can take the place of B and D and supplemental insurance, but you still get Medicare part A. And if you don't have an employer group health plan and you don't sign up for Parts B and D, you can be penalized for the rest of your life. https://www.medicare.gov/basics/costs/m ... -penalties Also if you don't have enough quarters for free Part A, there's a penalty if you don't start paying for it when you are first eligible.

SleepGeek · Post by **SleepGeek** » Sat Oct 28, 2023 7:09 am

Janknitz wrote: ↑
Fri Oct 27, 2023 5:00 pm
You are eligible for Medicare at age 65 regardless of when you take SS retirement. I don't plan to take SS until age 70 because my husband took his early. But Medicare part A kicks in at age 65 regardless. If you have an employer group health plan, that can take the place of B and D and supplemental insurance, but you still get Medicare part A. And if you don't have an employer group health plan and you don't sign up for Parts B and D, you can be penalized for the rest of your life. https://www.medicare.gov/basics/costs/m ... -penalties Also if you don't have enough quarters for free Part A, there's a penalty if you don't start paying for it when you are first eligible.

For me, I was 52 when Medicare started and the payments came right out of my SS - so that's why I always connect the two.

I did try an Advantage plan for "Silver Sneakers" gym membership. But after finding out they wouldn't cover products I had been using for years I figured out it wasn't saving me anything I switched back - never to go down that road again. Better off to just pay for the gym and use the products I like to use.

SleepGeek wrote: ↑
Fri Oct 27, 2023 5:00 pm
Not sure what they had for insurance but it prob wasn't Medicare.

My point was I didn't know what they have. Could be an Advantage Plan.

RobertS975 · Post by **RobertS975** » Sat Oct 28, 2023 5:58 pm

Generally speaking, a Medicare Advantage plan gets a set reimbursement per covered life. The more they have to do for you, the less they make.

Janknitz · Post by **Janknitz** » Mon Oct 30, 2023 12:55 pm

For me, I was 52 when Medicare started and the payments came right out of my SS - so that's why I always connect the two.

Yes, not everyone realizes that people younger than 65 can get Medicare two ways:
1. If you are on (based on eligibility date) Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) for 2 years.
2. If you were disabled before age 22, meet SSDI disability criteria, and receive Social Security based on a parents' work history. (Child's benefit)

So there are younger people on Medicare.

I want to mount a shredder on the mailbox post, so the trash can go directly into the garden.

Turning 64 in two weeks and it's already starting

. It's going to be a LOOOOONG year!!!!

SleepGeek · Post by **SleepGeek** » Wed Nov 08, 2023 10:07 pm

Medicare Open Enrollment

Every year, Medicare’s open enrollment period is from October 15 to December 7.

Medicare health and drug plans can be changed each year. During open enrollment, you have the ability to compare or change your plans to best suit your current needs. Beneficiaries can make unrestricted changes to coverage options until December 7 . The last change made on or before December 7 will take effect on January 1, 2024.

Medicare Plan Changes for 2024 :

The standard monthly Part B premium in 2024 will be $174.70, an increase of $9.80 per month.
The annual Part B deductible will be $240, an increase of $14.
The base premium for a Medicare Part D prescription drug plan will be $34.70 a month, up $1.96 a month.
Access to affordable health care is one of the most important issues facing our nation. I am a strong supporter of protecting and expanding Medicare’s covered benefits and services. It is a foundational part of the U.S. healthcare system. More than 65 million Americans are currently enrolled in Medicare and rely on it every day for inpatient hospital services, outpatient care, and prescription drug coverage. Every person in America deserves high quality, affordable and comprehensive health care. To protect our seniors and their access to health care, we must strengthen traditional Medicare.

Last Congress, Democrats passed the historic Inflation Reduction Act, building on the success of the Affordable Care Act and strengthening Medicare to help provide seniors with the high quality, affordable, and comprehensive care they deserve.

This may be new to some?

Medicare Changes in 2023 made by the Inflation Reduction Act:

People enrolled in a Medicare prescription drug plan started paying no more than $35 for a month’s supply insulin that they take via injection.

People with traditional Medicare who take insulin through a traditional pump started paying no more than $35 for a month’s supply of insulin, and the annual deductible does not apply to the insulin.

Adult vaccines recommended by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), including the shingles and RSV vaccines, are now available to people with Medicare Part D at no cost.

Drug manufacturers are now required to pay rebates to Medicare if prices for certain Part B drugs increase faster than the rate of inflation.
On September 1, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced the first ten Medicare Part D drugs selected for the Drug Price Negotiation Program.
Maximum fair prices negotiated for these first ten Part D drugs will be announced in September 2024 and go into effect in 2026.
Upcoming Medicare Changes in 2024 thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act:

The low-income subsidy program (LIS or “Extra Help”) under Medicare Part D will be fully available to certain people with Medicare with limited resources who earn less than 150% of the federal poverty level (FPL).
The average premium increase across most Part D plans will be limited to no more than six percent from the previous year.
Where to Get Help with Medicare Open Enrollment:

State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP).
SHIP agencies educate and assist Medicare-eligible individuals, families, and caregivers through counseling and training to make informed health insurance decisions.

SleepGeek · Post by **SleepGeek** » Tue Nov 14, 2023 9:53 pm

Take a few minutes today to review your current coverage, and explore all your coverage options during Open Enrollment.

Why compare? Plans can change, and your health care needs or situation may have changed, too.

There are 21 Medicare drug plans available in your area.
You can easily compare all your choices on Medicare.gov.

https://www.medicare.gov/plan-compare/# ... &year=2024

SleepGeek · Post by **SleepGeek** » Tue Dec 05, 2023 1:26 pm

Medicare Open Enrollment ends soon — don't miss your chance to find the coverage that works best for you.

Even if you're happy with your current Medicare coverage, spend a few minutes on Medicare.gov to compare your 2024 health and drug coverage options by December 7.
Compare Coverage Options

Here are a few reasons why:

Your needs may change. You may find you're going to the doctor more or less often, the prescription drugs you take may be different, or your health needs may have changed.

Plans can change from year-to-year. When you create or log into your Medicare account and select "Compare Plan Details" on your summary page, you can see a side-by-side comparison of how your current plan's costs and benefits will change in 2024.

New, more affordable Medicare coverage may be available. Review all your options to see if you could save money, find better coverage, or both.

After comparing your choices, if you're happy with the Medicare coverage you have now and it's still being offered next year, you're all set.

If you choose a new option for 2024, it's easy to enroll on Medicare.gov, and your new coverage will start January 1.

Attention: Medicare Open Enrollment ends December 7

Attention: Medicare Open Enrollment ends December 7

Medicare's Open Enrollment Period (October 15 - December 7)

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Re: Attention: Medicare Open Enrollment ends December 7