The open enrollment period for Medicare is Oct. 15 through Dec. 7, and benefits begin in the New Year. | PxHere.com
The open enrollment period for Medicare is Oct. 15 through Dec. 7, and benefits begin in the New Year. | PxHere.com
Senior Pennsylvania residents, as well as Medicare beneficiaries, are being reminded that the open enrollment period begins Saturday, Oct. 15, and ends Wednesday, Dec. 7.
Gov. Tom Wolf (D-PA) made the announcement on Oct. 4, noting that the new coverage selected and changes made to existing benefits will take place on Jan. 1, 2023, according to the governor's website.
“Combing through the numerous health care options, and navigating the online platforms, can often be tedious and overwhelming,” Wolf said, according to his website. “In order to help Medicare beneficiaries sort through their options, the Pennsylvania Department of Aging offers free, objective health benefits counseling through PA MEDI (Pennsylvania Medicare Education and Decision Insight). There, beneficiaries can compare their current rates and coverage to other Medicare plan options on the market, to help them make an informed decision about keeping their current plan or changing their coverage.”
In the open-enrollment period, new beneficiaries can sign up for Medicare prescription drug coverage and health care plans that complement Medicare. Current beneficiaries can also make adjustments to coverage to make sure they have the best plan for their needs, including joining a new plan or dropping one to go to another.
According to the governor’s website, there is help from the PA MEDI, which is available through the 52 Area Agencies on Aging. The counselors are specially trained and can help with plan comparisons, enrollment and eligibility questions. The service is free, confidential and objective.
“Counselors assist beneficiaries, their families and caregivers in making informed health insurance decisions that optimize cost-savings and access to health care benefits,” the governor's website says.
Residents are urged to be cautious when viewing and hearing advertisements about Medicare Advantage plans on television and radio, as they can be misleading. The website said celebrities are often used, and while they seem like they are official Medicare ads, they are actually from brokers and agents working for monetary incentives to enroll people.
For more information, call the PA MEDI Helpline at 1-800-783-7067 Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m, or visit the Area Agencies on Aging website.
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