Tag Archives: open enrollment

Enroll now for health insurance in 2019

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By Brenda Long, Michigan State University Extension

For more information contact Brenda Long.

 

Health insurance helps provide financial protection. It is for managing the risks of very high medical expenses for potential future health problems. Plan your choices during health insurance open enrollment for 2019. If you obtain health insurance from your employer, ask about the enrollment dates and options. The information below is for people buying health insurance on their own.

Changes for 2019 include the following:

1. Premiums have flattened out for 2019 Health Insurance Marketplace plans after several years of spikes, according to the Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services. Consumers should find more affordable, more comprehensive coverage. In Michigan, nine companies will be competing for policy holders to purchase Qualified Health Plans in the Michigan Health Insurance Marketplace:

  • Blue Care Network
  • Blue Cross Blue Shield of MI
  • McLaren Health Plan Community
  • Meridian Health Plan of MI, Inc
  • Molina Healthcare of MI
  • Oscar Insurance Company
  • Physicians Health Plan
  • Priority Health
  • Total Health Care USA

2. The repeal of the individual mandate requirement to pay for health insurance is still in effect in 2018 but will not be included in 2019. This means when you file federal income taxes for 2019, you will not pay a penalty for not having health insurance.

 

3. Short-term, limited-duration plans are allowable to cover an initial period of less than 12 months with renewal options, and up to 36 months total. This provides for new, more affordable options. These plans can provide coverage for people transitioning between jobs, students taking time off from school, and middle-class families without access to subsidized ACA plans. These plans offer lower premiums than comprehensive health insurance, but also cover less. They do not have to take people with pre-existing medical conditions. They may not cover maternity, mental health, prescription drugs and substance abuse treatment. Read the fine print if you are considering this coverage.

 

Not new but important to mention are Health Savings Accounts (HSA), which can be set up through your employer or by an individual. These tax-exempt accounts can be used to pay for eligible out-of-pocket health care expenses not covered by traditional health plans.  HSAs must be established with a high deductible plan so that the HSA pays for routine health expenses and the health plan for more significant costs. Individuals can go to many banks and credit unions in Michigan to set up an account.

 

Here are 5 things to get ready to enroll for health insurance:

  1. Know the dates of the Open Enrollment period. The Health Insurance Marketplace has a 45-day enrollment period from Nov. 1 to Dec. 15, 2018. The Medicare open enrollment period is different from the Marketplace time frame, from Oct. 15 to Dec. 7, 2018. If you qualify for the Healthy Michigan Plan, Medicaid or MiChild, you can enroll at any time of the year.
  2. Ask your employer if it offers health insurance as a benefit. Some employers make use of the Small Business Health Options Program (SHOP) for employees. If not, you may need to get coverage through the Marketplace, or directly from a health insurance agent or company.
  3. Make a list of questions before it is time to choose your health plan. Do you want to stay with your current doctor? Will the plan provide coverage when you are travelling? This will help you compare multiple plans. Have you received a notice from your current health plan about changes to its provider network, co-pays, co-insurance, or prescription drug coverage and what does this mean for you? Read the notice carefully.
  4. Gather your household income information. With the Marketplace, many people qualify for tax credits to save money based on family size and income. Find your most recent W-2, pay stubs or tax return.
  5. Set your budget. You need to figure out how much you can afford to spend on premiums each month. Think about your health care needs, how often you visit the doctor, the number and cost of prescriptions. If you expect frequent visits, prescriptions or medical services, you might want a plan that has higher monthly premiums but pays more medical costs when you use them, so you have fewer out-of-pocket costs. For more information about managing plans with high deductibles, see my February 21, 2017, news article.

This is also a good time to do a financial check-up. Be sure to check out Michigan State University Extension and MIMoneyHealth.org for great tips on many financial topics plus programs in the Events column.

 

This article was published by Michigan State University Extension. For more information, visit http://www.msue.msu.edu. To have a digest of information delivered straight to your email inbox, visit http://www.msue.msu.edu/newsletters. To contact an expert in your area, visit http://expert.msue.msu.edu, or call 888-MSUE4MI (888-678-3464).

Getting help with Medicare

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By Regina Salmi, Area Agency on Aging of Western Michigan

 

When it comes to figuring out Medicare, it can feel as though we’ve taken on an encore career trying to sort through it all. There’s Medicare, Medicare Advantage, Medicare supplemental insurance, part D coverage and then the retirement insurance you may already have. It can feel overwhelming. With the Open Enrollment period right around the corner, it might be time to get some help with deciding what plans work best for meeting all of your healthcare needs. The Michigan Medicare/Medicaid Assistance Program, or MMAP for short, is available to do just that.

 

MMAP is part of a federal program that provides free local healthcare coverage counseling to people with Medicare. MMAP is non-profit and run by highly skilled volunteers.

 

Bob Callery, MMAP Regional Coordinator, states, “MMAP does not have any affiliations with insurance companies and our volunteers are not licensed to sell insurance.”

 

This is important, because it means the MMAP counselor is looking at what is in your best interest. MMAP counselors will explain Medicare benefits and how they work, review prescription plans, Medicare Advantage Plans and Medigap policies. They are also able to help individuals apply for benefits. Having the right coverage can make a big difference in a person’s life (and their finances).

 

Sharon, a MMAP counselor, met with a woman who was living on about $900 per month. She was a widow and paying for the health coverage her husband had before he died. She was paying approximately $400 a month for this coverage.

 

“That didn’t leave her much to take care of her house and utilities,” Sharon relates, “We talked about getting her on supplemental insurance through Medicare. She was really reluctant at first, but in the end we were able to save her about $300 more a month.”

 

File photo

Another MMAP counselor shared a similar story. Karen received a call from a person living on a little over $700 per month who exclaimed, “I can either eat or take my medications.” Karen was able to get help her do both by reviewing her coverage and helping her get the benefits that worked best for her.

 

Open Enrollment for Medicare begins Oct. 15 and runs until Dec. 7.  MMAP recommends Medicare beneficiaries review their plans every year to check for policy changes. The plan you’re currently on can change the medications they cover, their network of pharmacies, even premiums, deductibles and co-pays. At the same time your own needs might be changing as well, requiring a different kind of coverage than you had this year. Reviewing your benefits and insuring your coverage is right for you might help you avoid costly payments.

 

The Social Security Administration has also begun releasing the new Medicare cards. In an effort to reduce identity theft and fraud, the cards were redesigned to remove your social security number and to replace it with a unique identifier. Michigan residents will see them arriving this fall with all new cards being mailed before March 31, 2019.

 

Callery advises, “These cards will be mailed to the current mailing address on file with Social Security. Make sure you contact them if your address needs to be updated.” Mr. Callery also warns, “Social Security and Medicare do not call beneficiaries to update their records. If you receive a call like this, it is a scam. Do not give any of your personal information to the caller and hang up the phone!”

 

MMAP counselors are available to meet with people in person, over the phone and are available for home visits for those who are home-bound. If you’re interested in working with MMAP to review your Medicare benefits you can reach a MMAP counselor by calling your local Commission on Aging, dialing (800) 803-7174 or contacting Area Agency on Aging of Western Michigan at (888) 456-5664 or aaainfo@aaawm.org. You can learn more about MMAP by visiting their website, www.MMAPInc.org.

 

 

 

 

Senior Living: Open Enrollment Season for Medicare Starts Oct. 15

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By Amanda Haberlein,

Public Relations/Communications Coordinator for the Area Agency on Aging of Western Michigan

 

Each year Medicare offers an Open Enrollment period for those who have a Medicare Part D prescription drug program. Open Enrollment begins Oct. 15 and lasts through Dec. 7 and is the time when Medicare beneficiaries are encouraged to review their current plan and determine if it is still the best option to fit their current needs. This is the only time during the year that beneficiaries can make changes to their prescription coverage so it’s important that they review all the factors when making their decision.

 

areaonagingIn fact, the Michigan Medicare/Medicaid Assistance Program (MMAP) which utilizes volunteers to help people make informed health care decisions, including choosing a prescription coverage plan, recommends people follow the five steps below during Open Enrollment.

 

Five Steps to Choosing the Best Medicare Part D Prescription Coverage:

 

Review your current plan. Experts recommend that everyone reviews their current plan, even if you are happy with the coverage you have received. Plan information can change each year resulting in changes to medications that are covered, premium prices and even the co-pay amounts. Just because your current plan has met your needs, doesn’t mean it will continue to for the next year. Make note of any changes you see in your current plan and if they don’t work for you be sure to look at the other options available. If you are still happy with your current plan after you’ve reviewed any updates, simply do nothing and you will remain enrolled in the same plan.

 

Consider ALL your medications. It’s not uncommon to be prescribed a medication that you weren’t taking at this same time last year. Be sure to have a current list of all the medications you are taking and check each one against the plan you are considering to see if it’s covered and what the cost will be. Don’t assume that just because it is a low cost medication or well known drug that it will be covered in all plans. A simple way to start is to visit www.medicare.gov and input all your medications. They will then generate a list of plans that will cover those prescriptions. Again, you need to review those plans for things such as premiums, co-pays and coverage amounts before making a final decision.

 

See if you qualify for help. Experts encourage those on a fixed income to see if they qualify for help through the Extra Help, Medicare Savings or the Medigap Subsidy Program. Extra Help is a Social Security program that helps to reduce or eliminate prescription plan premiums, deductibles and copays for covered medications. The income limit for the Extra Help program is $1,505 for a single and $2,023 for a couple (asset limits of $13,640 for single and $27,250 for a couple). The Medicare Savings Program is a Medicaid program that will pay the Medicare Part B premium, with income limits of $1,010 for single and $1,355 for a couple (assets must be below $7,280 for single and $10,930 for a couple). The Medigap Subsidy Program through the Michigan Health Endowment Fund will provide assistance with Medigap premiums if the beneficiary has a participating policy. The income limits for this program are $1,485 for a single and $2,003 for a couple, with no asset limit. The financial assistance plans can make prescription costs more affordable for those on fixed incomes. Experts say often people are unaware that these programs are available to help and can often make a big difference for those who qualify.

 

Don’t procrastinate!  Even though Open Enrollment seems like a long time, experts encourage people not to procrastinate and to start researching early. “We encourage people to start right away, this way if they run into questions they have time to get their questions answered and they aren’t left scrambling,” said Bob Callery, Program Coordinator at MMAP. “During Open Enrollment, our volunteers across the state as well as those that work at Medicare receive a lot of phone calls and it may take a day or two to return calls and sometimes longer, depending on the call volume. Any technical glitches with the medicare.gov website can make people anxious, so we always encourage starting early.”

 

Ask questions! Changes to your Medicare Prescription coverage can only be made during open enrollment, which means if you make a mistake you will be stuck for the rest of the year. Mistakes can translate into increased costs and confusion about coverage.  Experts encourage asking questions to make sure you understand your coverage. “Medicare and the Prescription Drug Plans can be confusing for a lot of people, which is why we have volunteers to help,” said Callery. “If you have questions, you can look at the Medicare.gov website, call Medicare directly or call MMAP. We just ask that you understand we may not be able to return your phone call the same day, depending on call volume, but we do everything we can to answer all the questions that come to us.”

 

Experts also encourage those with the Blue Cross Blue Shield Legacy Medigap plans to contact MMAP today as Blue Cross Blue Shield announced this summer that they are raising the monthly premium for these plans starting January 2017.  For many people, these premium prices can be a significant increase to their monthly budget.  MMAP volunteers can help individuals review their options if they are enrolled in one of the BCBSM Legacy plans and wish to find a better option.

 

The Michigan Medicare/Medicaid Assistance Program (MMAP) is a free and unbiased statewide program made up of volunteers who can help you sort through Part D information. Volunteer counselors have gone through extensive training and can help navigate the maze of Medicare and Medicaid. To speak with a counselor, contact 1-800-803-7174.

 

Have questions on services for older adults and caregivers? Contact the Area Agency on Aging of Western Michigan at 616-456-5664 or 888-456-5664 or visit  www.aaawm.org for more information and resources.