Southwest Florida's Health and Wellness Magazine Health and Wellness Articles
Open Enrollment Starts October 15, 2021, Individual/Family Open Enrollment is coming soon!
By Ulla-Undine Merritt (Dee) National Producer Number (NPN) 8853366
Medicare Beneficiaries who currently have Medicare Advantage Plan and Part D (Prescription Drug Plans) should have received their “Notice of Change” documents in September. These notices compare any plan changes from your current 2021 plan to your new 2022 plan. You will be automatically re-enrolled in your current plan if you do nothing and the new changes will take place January 1st, 2021. OPEN ENROLLMENT for MEDICARE PLAN changes starts October 15th and runs through December 7th, 2021, for a January 1st, 2022, effective date. The last plan you select during this period will be your plan for 2022.
Part C Medicare Advantage Plans – One of the biggest mistakes I see is that people do not check their plan each year to make sure it is still the best for you. They look at the copays or the plan costs, not the detail. As an example, a carrier last year added a superior dug plan compared to other, nice right? But the problem was that the formulary on the plan people were paying a lot more for their medications that way outnumbered the savings. If you are on an Advantage Plan, you use 1 card for doctors, hospital, and medications. This is not a Supplement; you network is the insurance company. Advantage Plans when you are checking them your agent should be entering all of your doctors you see, not just your primary and your medications. Maybe you can qualify for some extra assistance call Low Income Subsidy, this is not Medicaid and allows higher incomes. This what we do for our clients, and we have helped have people thousand of dollars in their medical care.
Part D Drug Plans – formulary, premiums and pharmacy providers are constantly changing. It is very important that you check your medications each year to see what is best for you. Being on a plan and going to the wrong pharmacy can sometime cost you thousands.
Medicare Supplement they work together with Original Medicare and off er the most robust provider network. These plans do not have an annual enrollment period and you can stay on the plan as long as you live and pay your premium. You can not be singled out for a premium increase or terminated due to your bad health.
However, after your 1st 6-month of your Part B effective date you are not guaranteed acceptance. So, thinking you will get on them later when your sick will most likely not be possible. Carriers have medical underwriting questions. Florida is an entry age state for most carriers and what that means is you will remain the age that you enrolled in the plan for any future rate increases. So, say you enrolled at 65 and now your 75, you are still paying the 65-year-old rate not the 75-year-old.
Medicare can be very confusing so I would recommend that you meet with a licensed insurance broker that represents multiple insurance carriers. You should explain to them your current needs and concerns. Having a local agent that specializes in Medicare Plans is important. If you have a question, you should be able to reach that person who enrolled you in your plan. If you go online or call a toll-free number chances are, they are not local, and you will not be able to talk to them to clarify any questions later. It is important to know that it is illegal for anyone to contact you without your permission, if they do this ask them for their national producer number and name and tell them you will report them to Medicare. They should never call, knock on your door, and things on your door or car or confront you without your permission.
We offer Medicare Seminars in Naples and Fort Myers, plus WebEx and in person appointments!
Individual/Family Health Insurance Open enrollment will start November 1, 2021, to December 15, 2021, for January 1st, 2022, effective. This deadline pertains to fully insured plans that meet the Affordable Care Act (ACA)/Obama Care Guidelines. *Very important for people that have pre-existing conditions and or would qualify for government subsidies. There are additional lower cost options with National Insurance Carriers for people that are healthy and do not qualify for subsidy, these plans can be purchased year-round. You are NO longer penalized for not having health insurance that meets ACA guidelines.
You should really work with a local broker to explore all your options. Don’t invite strangers into your house or give them your personal information over the phone. With Social Media, Facebook, WebEx solicitation if you do not know them please be careful. There are so many scams out there. Go or call a local agent, build a relationship and if in the future you have a question you can back and see them.
Also remember when moving you may have a special enrollment period to apply or change your health insurance coverage. Also check your wills, trusts, and make sure they follow Florida’s laws and guidelines. Establish yourself with a local Insurance Broker, Attorney and CPA. Ask a professional, most of the time your first consultation is at no charge.
*We also do a complimentary homeowners review
To learn more about your options call to schedule an appointment:
Logical Insurance Solutions for all your insurance needs – Dee Merritt
info@logicalinsurance.com
www.Logicalinsurance.com
239-362-0855
