Don’t Leave Money on the Table

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Many people in Minnesota are eligible to get help to pay for their Medicare costs and they just don’t know it. There are federal and state programs to help people with lower income and limited resources pay their Medicare premiums and other out-of-pocket costs. Estimates show that only one in three people who are eligible ever apply.

Don’t leave money on the table, call the Senior LinkAge Line at 800-333-2433 to find out if you or someone you know might be eligible. If you decide to apply, staff and volunteers can help you complete the application.

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Turning 65 – Let the Phone Calls Begin

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Linda Tobias, Senior LinkAge Line Client Service Center Supervisor

Turning 65 comes with many emotions for me. I am excited about the next phase of my life. Is retirement a reality for me, or am I going to continue to do the job I love with the Senior LinkAge Line and the Minnesota River Area Agency on Aging?

Recently I have been inundated with calls trying to sell me a Medicare insurance plan. Yesterday I decided to answer one of the calls. She said she was with Medicare, but after I questioned her further, and she said, “Medicare Benefits.” Then she said she wanted to tell me about my Medicare options. Since my job with the Senior LinkAge Line is to know Medicare thoroughly, I was skeptical.

I asked, “Are you selling insurance?” and she said, “No, we advocate for you, so you can get the coverage you need when you turn 65.” After transferring me to someone who could tell me about plans available in my area, the new person proceeded to tell me she was a licensed insurance agent—not selling anything, huh?

After the agent tried to make small talk (asking for my zip code and date of birth), she proceeded to try to sell me a specific type of plan without asking if I was planning to retire or keep working.

When I asked about other options, she ignored my question. She only told me about two companies and skipped all others. She told me she was unbiased and wanted what was best for me. She never asked me questions about my health, lifestyle, which medications I take, the pharmacy I use or what I could afford. These all should be considered when choosing Medicare coverage.

If you are turning 65 and getting the same type of phone calls and mailings that I am, remember “buyer beware.” Hang up; these callers are looking for your dollars, as opposed to trying to help you save money.

Before you make any decisions, please give the Senior LinkAge Line a call at 800-333-2433 to get true non-biased help. We are a free-of-charge service provided by the state of Minnesota. We don’t sell insurance and won’t steer you towards a particular company or type of policy. We believe in what we do, and we have experts across the state ready to help you.

Retirement should be an exciting time for us. Let the Senior LinkAge Line give you the information you need so you can make the best choice for your future healthcare needs.

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Free Virtual Medicare Education

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Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Senior LinkAge Line has paused its in-person assistance, presentations and Medicare classes for the rest of the 2020 calendar year. This means there will be no in-person help or meetings during Medicare Open Enrollment this year, which happens annually from October 15 – December 7. But the Senior LinkAge Line can still help. We will be offering online classes and counseling sessions. They include:

  • Virtual Welcome to Medicare classes twice a month
  • Virtual Medicare Open Enrollment Period counseling sessions
    • Appointments will be held between October 15 and December 6.
    • You can begin making an appointment starting October 1.
    • Beginning October 1, act quickly as space is limited.

Please remember that during this difficult time, the Senior LinkAge Line continues to be a resource for older adults and their families. We can help you find resources and make connections with alternative services if your provider or support network has changed or temporarily stopped providing services.

The Minnesota Board on Aging, Minnesota’s Area Agencies on Aging and the Minnesota Department of Human Services are working closely together to share information to make sure that all parts of the state have the resources they need to support older Minnesotans and caregivers.

To find out more information, call 800-333-2433 or chat with a specialist at www.minnesotahelp.info Monday – Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. The Senior LinkAge Line is a free service of the Minnesota Board on Aging and the Area Agencies on Aging.

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News from the Senior LinkAge Line® – July 2020

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Medicare Open Enrollment – Here Before You Know it!

It is hard to believe, but Medicare Open Enrollment is right around the corner. Soon, people will begin receiving a deluge of mail from Social Security, Medicare, their health plan and other companies trying to sell them health insurance policies. Didn’t we just go through this? Here are some important things to remember to make sure you’re covered for 2021:

  • Be sure to read all notices you get from your Medicare plan about changes coming for next year, especially your Annual Notice of Change letter. Make sure your plan is still available in 2021. Also, make sure your plan will still cover your drugs and that your doctors are still in the plan’s network.
  • Did you know that some people are eligible to receive help in paying their Medicare Part D premiums and co-pays? In September, many people on the Extra Help Program will receive notices from Social Security about their continued eligibility in 2021. It is important to read these notices and follow the directions, such as returning a form by a certain date. Not doing so can put you at risk for losing this help.

Help Paying for Medicare

You can find out if you qualify for help paying for your Medicare, as mentioned above. Learn about programs that help with the costs of Medicare premiums, your Medicare Part A (hospital insurance) and Medicare Part B (medical insurance) deductibles, coinsurance and copayments and Medicare prescription drug coverage costs.

  • To find out if you might be eligible, call the Senior LinkAge Line at 800-333-2433.

Prior Authorization Needed for Some Outpatient Services

A new Prior Authorization Process for Certain Outpatient Department (OPD) Services began for services on or after July 1, 2020. This change was made because Medicare had seen a significant increase in the number of these services being performed. Services requiring pre-authorization include blepharoplasty, botulinum toxin injections, panniculectomy, rhinoplasty, and vein ablation.

COVID-19 Fraud

Scams related to the coronavirus are rapidly increasing as the public health emergency develops. Scammers are targeting older adults and those with serious long-term health conditions who appear to have a higher risk for serious illness from COVID-19. Fraudsters are attempting to bill Medicare for sham tests or treatments related to the coronavirus and are targeting individuals to illegally obtain money or Medicare numbers. Protect yourself from COVID-19 fraud?

  • Do not give out your Medicare number to anyone other than your doctor, health care provider or other trusted representative.
  • Protect your Medicare number and treat your Medicare card like a credit card.
  • Never provide your Medicare number or other personal information to anyone who contacts you through unsolicited calls, texts or emails.
  • Be cautious of anyone who comes to your door offering free coronavirus testing, treatment, or supplies.
  • Don’t click links from sources you don’t know. This could put your computer or device at risk. Be sure your anti-malware/anti-virus software is up-to-date.
  • Don’t buy medical supplies from unverified sources, including online advertisements and email/phone solicitations.
  • Ignore online offers for COVID-19 vaccinations. If you see ads for prevention products or cures for COVID-19, they are a scam.
  • Do your homework before donating to a charity or crowdfunding site. Be very cautious of any charities requesting donations by cash, gift card or wire transfer.
  • Be wary of “investment opportunities.” The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is warning people about online promotions claiming that the products or services of publicly traded companies can prevent, detect or cure COVID-19 and that the stock of these companies will dramatically increase in value as a result.
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