YOUR HEALTH
Signing up for Medicare 2022 begine with knowing the facts
Medicare is only one word, but what it stands for and encompasses involves many parts, details and decisions that deliver beneficiaries excellence in care.
For those age 65 and older, the annual enrollment period for Medicare is Oct. 15 – Dec. 7, 2021.
Donnie Aga, MD, medical director of KelseyCare Advantage, said that during this time, Medicare-eligible individuals can join, switch, or drop a plan. Coverage begins on Jan. 1, 2022 if the deadline is met correctly.
“If a Medicare Advantage Plan, Medicare drug plan, or Medicare cost plan with a five-star rating is available, individuals can use the five-star Special Enrollment Period to switch from their current Medicare plan to one with a ‘fivestar’ quality rating,” Aga said.
Memorial Hermann recommended that individuals who qualify for Medicare consult with a professional to guide them through the process to ensure they are choosing the best option for them.
Breaking down Medicare’s many components is crucial. Generally speaking:
Memorial Hermann stated that everyone needs to sign up for Part D coverage (prescription drug coverage) when they turn 65 to avoid a penalty from the federal government. If the Medicare Advantage plan is selected, Part D is included in coverage. If they choose Original Medicare and purchase a supplement, they will need to purchase a Part D prescription drug plan as well.
Not all Part D plans cover the same medications. Each plan has a “formulary” or list of drugs that are covered, Aga said.
“It is important to remember that Medicare Part D is not offered direct from Medicare,” Aga said. “Part D can only be received from private companies that contract with Medicare and offer either an individual prescription drug plan (PDP) or through a Medicare Advantage plan that also includes prescription drug coverage.”
One Houston woman recently qualified for Medicare and began the process of signing up.
“It was a breeze. I just went through the Social Security site, and that made it easy,” said Terry Swenson. “I filled out a few pages of forms with simplistic questions, for I would imagine the obvious reasons — needing to be fairly intuitive and not confusing so most just have to do it once.”
She had some suggestions to offer.
“It helps to have a cell number, so they text you a verification code for security, which was easy. I got the paperwork through the mail quickly. Now I’m just waiting in my physical card. So as of Oct. 1, I start(ed) Medicare with my plans A, B, and C.”
Aga added that making a decision about your health care is something that shouldn’t be taken lightly. Consider the costs for prescriptions, the type of coverage, provider choice, quality of care, plans for travel, and out-of-pocket expenses, Aga said.