Medicare Open Enrollment is Here

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The Medicare Open Enrollment period is October 15 until December 7. Robin Thompson, Information and Assistance Director with the Senior LinkAge Line, wants people to remember, “This is the time of year people on Medicare should review their Medicare plan options for 2020.” She added, “Taking time now to do your research can save you money and help you to find coverage based on your situation and your healthcare needs.”

The Senior LinkAge Line receives calls every year from people who failed to review their plan changes for the coming year. Since Medicare changes every year, the Senior LinkAge Line recommends that each person review their options for the coming year and open and read every piece of mail received from Medicare, Social Security and their current plan. Annual plan changes can include:

Medicare Part D:

  • Premium
  • List of medications covered by your plan (formulary)
  • Medication restrictions such as adding prior authorization and quantity limits
  • Cost-sharing: deductible, copays and coinsurance
  • Pharmacy network

Medicare Advantage and Cost Plans:

  • For plans that include Part D the list above will also apply
  • Coverage area
  • Premium
  • Out-of-pocket maximum costs
  • Cost-sharing: deductible, copays and coinsurance
  • Provider network
  • Covered-benefits and restrictions

Use the new revamped Medicare Plan Finder tool at www.medicare.gov to compare your current plan with other plans available in 2020. This will help you plan for the coming year and give you confidence and peace of mind.

If you need Medicare help, contact the Senior LinkAge Line, a free statewide service of the Minnesota Board on Aging and the Area Agencies on Aging. The Senior LinkAge Line is Minnesota’s federally designated State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) and the place to call for non-biased Medicare counseling. Call 1-800-333-2433 Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm.

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New Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period Ends March 31

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Minnesotans on Medicare have until March 31, 2019 to make changes to their Medicare Advantage Plan for the calendar year.

New in 2019, people who have their Medicare benefits through a Medicare Advantage Plan can make a one-time plan change from January 1 through March 31. This new open enrollment period gives Medicare beneficiaries a second opportunity to decide which Medicare Advantage Plan is right for them.

During this new open enrollment period, those on Medicare can switch to another Medicare Advantage Plan with or without drug coverage, said Robin Thompson, Information and Assistance Director at Minnesota River Area Agency on Aging. They can also disenroll from their Medicare Advantage Plan and return to Original Medicare and join a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan if they choose to, added Thompson.

However, during this open enrollment period, those on Medicare cannot:

  • Switch from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage Plan
  • Join a Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Plan (if on Original Medicare)
  • Switch from one Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Plan to another (if on Original Medicare)

Medicare can be complicated, but the Senior LinkAge Line can help. The Senior LinkAge Line is a free statewide service of the Minnesota Board on Aging and Minnesota’s Area Agencies on Aging. Call 1-800-333 -2433 for help with Medicare and much more.

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Medicare Assistance for Spanish-Speaking Older Adults

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Staff from the Senior LinkAge Line met with members of the “Our Golden Age” group in St. James on October 24. Community members and Wellspring Faith in Action work together to sponsor the bi-monthly meeting for Spanish-speaking older adults and caregivers. Members are provided both educational opportunities and entertainment.

Sarah Reiman, MNRAAA’s Volunteer Coordinator, and Paulina Camacho, Spanish-speaking Information and Assistance Specialist, met with group members to review their Medicare options for 2019. Some group members had also brought along letters and notices from their insurance company that were written in English. Paulina was able to translate the information into Spanish and answer their questions. Plans are being made for Senior LinkAge Line staff to meet with the group on a quarterly basis.

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