SOSMagOctoberDecember2021

Now is the time of year when we need to be watching for the mailings from Medicare. Questions? Call the Medicare Helpdesk at Serving Our Seniors 419-624-1856 . 1. The Medicare & You Handbook (A red, white and blue full size guide.) is mailed to all Medicare households each September. This is your resource for information on Medicare benefits, current changes to coverage and it includes a list of Medicare Advantage Plans and Part D prescription plans available for 2022. 2. The Annual Notice of Change (ANOC) letter and Evidence of Coverage (EOC) from your current plan is mailed in late September. These notices tell you of the changes to the cost and coverage for the upcoming year, 2022. 3. The Extra Help program mailings are varied and start in September. “Extra Help” will help pay prescription costs if you have limited monthly income capped at $1,630 Single; $2,175 Married. Loss of Deemed Status Notice (grey paper) – This program will end January 1st. Yes, you can re-apply. Change in Extra Help Co-payments Notice (orange paper) - The co-pays will be increasing as of January 1st. 4. The Extra Help program pays up to a certain limit called a “benchmark.” Reassignment Notice (blue paper) – This notice is telling you that your current plan’s premium has increased. It will be over the 2022 benchmark. Therefore, the program is reassigning you to a new plan or you can switch plans by December 31st. Low Income Subsidy Choosers Notice (grey letter) in November If you chose a plan in 2021 and the 2022 premium will be over the benchmark, you can remain on the same plan. However, you will have to pay the difference. 5. Notice of Creditable Coverage mailed in September. If you are enrolled in a prescription plan through a current or former employer, this notice is proof that your coverage is as good or better than the standard Medicare drug plan. Keep this notice for any future Medicare drug plan enrollment. It’s an important document. Medicare Message - Careful, Read the Notices from Medicare By Patricia Whited-Stineman, Medicare Education Specialist This is the period you can make changes to your Medicare Advantage Plan and Part D prescription drug plans. These plans do not require you to pass underwriting or provide health history. There is always a Guaranteed Issue with these plans. Different from the Medicare plans is an insurance policy to supplement your Medicare coverage. It is often called a “ Medi-gap insurance” or “ Medicare Supplement insurance”. Both terms mean the same thing. Medi-gap insurance is something a customer purchases through a private insurance agent. There is no “open enrollment period” for Medi-gap/Medicare Supplements . These policies can be reviewed any month of the year. These plans are not an automatic “Guaranteed Issue” and may require you to answer health history questions. If you need assistance in reviewing your Medicare coverage, contact the Medicare Helpdesk at Serving Our Seniors, 419-624-1856 . Did you Know? ..... Open Enrollment is October 15th thru December 7th Patricia Steinman, MSIG, CSA, Medicare Education Specialist/ OSHIIP Trainer 22