INSURANCE

Laura Mutsko Agent, CSA and Certified Healthcare Reform Specialist

Q: Does Medicare Open Enrollment apply to Medicare Supplements? A: The Open Enrollment Period does not apply to Medicare Supplements. You are permitted to purchase this type of insurance or make changes to your Medicare Supplement at any time throughout the year.

To be clear, a Medicare Supplement, sometimes referred to as Medigap Insurance, is not the same as a Medicare Advantage plan. Advantage plans are plans that provide Medicare benefits while a Medigap policy only supplements your Original Medicare benefits. It helps pay some of the health care costs not covered by Original Medicare such as copayments, coinsurance and deductibles. Medicare Supplements generally do not cover long-term care, vision or dental care, hearing aids, eyeglasses, or private-duty nursing.

You will pay a separate premium in addition to your Medicare premiums and you will also need to purchase a separate Prescription Part D plan as this coverage is not usually included with these plans.

The best time to buy a Supplement policy is during your 6-month Medicare Supplement open enrollment period. During that time you can buy any policy sold in your state, even if you have health problems. This period automatically starts the month you turn 65 and are enrolled in Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance). After this enrollment period, if you are able to buy one, it may cost more. You cannot have a Medicare Advantage Plan and a Medicare Supplement. In fact, it is illegal for anyone to sell you a Medicare Supplement policy unless you’re switching back to Original Medicare.

If you are interested in learning more about Medicare Supplements, please contact me after January 1 when information on new rates should be available. Happy Thanksgiving to all my readers. When you get together with friends and relatives this Thanksgiving, please take a few minutes to ask your older family members if they need help reviewing their Medicare decisions. Imagine how confusing all the different options might be if you didn’t have access to the internet, etc. In particular, ask if they have changed their doctors or prescriptions, and if they are all covered to their satisfaction. Make sure the pharmacies they prefer to use are still a part of their plan.

If after discussing their coverage you both still have questions, call me. You have until December 7 to make changes in Medicare coverage. I can be reached at Lmutsko@ mutskoinsurance.com or 440-255-5700. Laura Mutsko Mutsko Insurance Services, LLC 6982 Spinach Drive, Mentor, OH 44060 440-255-5700 www.mutskoinsurance.com