INSURANCE

Laura Mutsko Agent, CSA and Certified Healthcare Reform Specialist

Q: I will be turning age 65 this year and will be signing up for Medicare. What can I do to prepare for transitioning to Medicare. A: If you are going on Medicare in 2018, I recommend you take some time before your 65th birthday to learn about the choices ahead of you. Here are steps to help you get started: Step 1: Know when to enroll You can sign up for Medicare at any time during your initial enrollment period or IEP. Your IEP begins three months before your 65th birthday month, includes your birthday month and continues for three months after. Delaying your enrollment outside this period may result in penalties so it is important to enroll on time. Step 2: Learn what’s covered and what’s not Original Medicare does not cover 100% of your medical costs. Many people are surprised to learn long-term care, most routine dental and vision care and hearing aids are not covered. Even if Medicare covers a service or item, you generally have to pay your deductible, coinsurance, and copayments. Learn how much you will be responsible for and other options for coverage so there are no surprises in store for you. Step 3: Learn about Prescription Drug Coverage

Original Medicare offers prescription drug coverage (Part D) to everyone with Medicare. Part D is added through a standalone prescription drug plan or as part of a Medicare Advantage plan. Each plan can vary in cost and the drugs it covers. Step 4: Learn about Other Options Your other options include Medicare-approved Advantage Plans and Medicare Supplements. There are also plans providing coverage for vision, dental, hearing and long term care. These vary in coverage and cost but are intended to take care of a portion of your costs or offer additional benefits not covered by Original Medicare Step 5: Learn more by attending Getting Started with Medicare Plan now to join me for a presentation of Getting Started with Medicare, a class where we cover all these topics and you have a chance to get answers to your questions now, before you sign up for Medicare. Getting Started with Medicare classes are only for educational purposes and no plan specific benefits or details are shared.

Our next class will take place in conjunction with the Mentor Library on Wednesday, January 24, 2018, from 6 to 8 pm. Call 440-255-8811, ext. 216 for more information on where the class will meet. Visit www.Mutskoinsurance.com/seminars for additional upcoming class dates and times. I look forward to you joining me. You can also contact me at 440-255-5700 or email me at Lmutsko@mutskoinsurance.com.