Medicare Open Enrollment 2021

Posted on October 14, 2020 by Angel Blair

We’ve entered that time of year again when insurance changes and decisions are upon us. And during what has been a very challenging and different, (to say the least), year, these decisions are more crucial than ever.

Medicare open enrollment begins tomorrow, October 15th, and will last until December 7th. During this time period, individuals can review their current Medicare plan and make changes if needed. You do not need to sign up for Medicare each year but reviewing your plan and making adjustments and changes as needed to make sure your healthcare needs are met, is essential.

Some new changes to note for the 2021 coverage year include lower premium costs and increased benefits and plan options for Medicare Advantage recipients. Premiums will be at their lowest rate since 2007, and extra telehealth and supplemental benefits, such as in-home support, will be offered as well. But it’s important to review out-of-pocket costs with these plans, even though premiums could be low, as well as making sure your providers are in the coverage network. These plans are very localized as well, so review what options are offered in your specific area/zip code for coverage. *Medicare Advantage plans are a type of Medicare health plan offered by a private company that contracts with Medicare to provide Part A and B benefits.

Medicare beneficiaries who have a Medicare Advantage plan or Part D plan should receive paperwork called “Evidence of Coverage” or “Annual Notice of Change” letters from your health plan showing coverage outlines and any changes that will occur. It’s very important to review these materials to make sure of any changes in the plan’s costs, providers, benefits, drug formularies, etc. so that if something is changing with your plan, you are aware of it and can make changes to your coverage if needed. These plans can change their benefits so it’s crucial to review your policy and any upcoming changes.

According to Medicare, you can make the following changes during the open enrollment period:

Switch from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage Plan and vice versa.
Switch from one Medicare Advantage Plan to another Medicare Advantage Plan or from one Part D prescription plan to another.
Join a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan (Part D Plan) if you haven’t done so.
Drop your Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage.

Also, if you are not satisfied with your Medicare Advantage Plan, you can disenroll from that plan and join Original Medicare during the Medicare Advantage Disenrollment Period. This disenrollment period is open from January 1st to February 14th of each year.

The Medicare website offers a Medicare Plan Finder where you can search for and compare health plans, benefits, coverage and estimated costs. You can also contact Medicare directly at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) for information and questions.

You can also receive assistance and guidance in choosing coverage through your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP). This resource provides one-on-one insurance counseling and support regarding Medicare benefits. Visit https://www.shiptacenter.org/ to find your local office.

MSAA’s My Health Insurance Guide is a helpful source for the MS community to find more information about insurance options and resources, in addition to the Medicare Planning and Multiple Sclerosis brochure that helps to outline important parts and questions about Medicare coverage.

This is an important time to review your plan’s policy and make changes if needed to ensure that you have the appropriate coverage for your healthcare needs.

Common Healthcare Issues

Posted on August 10, 2018 by Angel Blair

Working on the MSAA helpline we often hear different types of client experiences when it comes to working with one’s healthcare team. Some rave about their doctors and specialists and cannot say enough good things about the care they receive. Others don’t have quite the same positive reviews in their circumstances. Continue reading →

Insurance Resources

Posted on October 25, 2017 by MSAA

Dealing with insurance of any kind can be a stressful experience for anyone if you aren’t familiar with the language and jargon used on the forms. Health insurance is no different – particularly when you are trying to make sure that the health insurance you have covers all of your health needs, including any regular therapies, durable medical equipment, specialist visits, and regular tests.

Navigating the world of health insurance can be daunting, but our Client Services team here at MSAA has a couple of resources that can help get you started on resolving your questions and issues:

Patient Advocate Foundation – The PAF provides case management for patients who are dealing with insurance, employment, or other legal issues related to their medical condition.
State Insurance Departments – This link will take you to a map of the United States with a link to each individual state’s insurance web page that can offer more information about the insurance laws and the insurance marketplaces available in your home state.
Life Happens – This non-profit provides information and resources to find life insurance, disability, and long-term care insurance policies/plans, and they can help you find a local agent to assist you with those plans.

You can also visit the main website for Medicare and Medicaid to find additional information about these two government-funded health insurance options.

This is just a short list of resources that you have at your disposal to help you work your way through your insurance questions. For more information about your particular question or issue, please feel free to reach out to our Client Services Specialists at (800) 532-7667, ext. 154 or at MSquestions@mymsaa.org.

Never Stop Asking Questions

Posted on October 23, 2017 by MSAA

By Penelope Conway

Making my way through the medical insurance nightmare has been a challenge since being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. It wasn’t something I thought much about before MS came along. I never really got sick so health insurance and my own well-being just wasn’t a priority. Talk about a learning curve. I was thrown into things head first and then bounced around a few times before landing hard with a thud.

My life was suddenly filled with doctor appointments, medications, unpredictable symptoms and massive medical bills. I found myself in this new world of the chronically ill and I didn’t like it one bit. To be honest with you, it scared me more than anything I had ever been through.

I think the first year after I was diagnosed, I spent much of my days in a mind numbing fog. I became overwhelmed with the vast amounts of information I found online about MS and the high costs associated with it. The more questions I asked, the more questions I had.

I became more concerned with being able to afford my co-pays and medical insurance premiums than with the latest phone apps or music downloads. I found myself searching for insurance plans that made MRI’s and durable medical equipment more affordable. I researched Medicare, SSDI and early retirement. I looked for ways to afford home modifications and accessibility aids.

I discovered that no one can look out for me better than me.

When I was searching for a supplemental insurance plan that would cover all the things Medicare doesn’t, the monthly cost was too high for me to be able to afford. So, what did I do? I got online and through asking tons of questions came across a foundation that helps people with MS pay their monthly insurance premiums. That was something I would have never known about if I didn’t dig around for answers myself.

I found that asking questions is the best thing anyone can do for themselves.

When the cost of my pain medication went up, again I got online and found that my Medicare drug plan had an exception form that can be submitted to request a lower co-pay. I had my doctor help me fill it out, sent it in and the cost of that one medication went from $45 a month to $3. The insurance company won’t tell you about that option in bold print on their home page. It’s something you have to ask questions about and search for yourself to find.

Then there was the time a few years ago when my powerchair was damaged in a car accident. I was okay but my chair got banged up a bit. I discovered that my homeowners insurance covers things like that. I was able to get a new chair to replace the broken one. Who knew homeowners insurance (or renters insurance) worked that way? I sure didn’t. Another lesson learned by again asking lots and lots of questions.

I don’t think I will ever understand insurance or how they calculate the costs associated with their services, but through asking tons of questions and digging around for answers I have been able to ease much of the costs associated with MS and living with a disability.

You have to be your own advocate, do your own research and never stop asking questions! You may not be able to control the progression of your MS but that should never stop you from taking control of your own health care.

*Penelope Conway was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in November 2011. She is the author and founder of Positive Living with MS (positivelivingwithms.com) where she uses humor and her own life experiences with MS to help others navigate this unpredictable journey. She believes that staying positive and holding onto hope is the key to waking up each morning with the strength to get through the day.

You Are Your Own Best Advocate

Posted on October 20, 2017 by Angel Blair

Recently I went to my primary care doctor for an annual flu vaccine and physical exam to make sure everything was in check. I paid my copay when I arrived at my appointment per usual protocol, but after reviewing the Explanation of Benefits (EOB) from my insurance company that came in recently, I realized the appointment was considered preventative and I should not have had to pay my copay amount. After noticing this I called my doctor’s office and they told me that in fact there was now a credit on my account of the copay amount that I had paid. They asked me if I wanted it to stay on my account as a credit or if I wanted to be refunded the amount. This made me scratch my head in perplexity, because I realized if I hadn’t reviewed my EOB from the insurance company and contacted my doctor’s office myself, I would’ve essentially been left in the dark about this copay credit until maybe I’d gone to my primary care doctor next year and was surprised with the copay credit on my account.

I feel like this happens often to individuals who are just trying to follow up with and maintain their medical care. I think this is why it’s so vital to be your own advocate when it comes to reviewing insurance information and benefits because there are not many on the other side that will do this for you, be it insurance companies or medical offices. Now don’t get me wrong, there may be some representatives who are diligent and careful in their work and do their best to ensure accuracy, however, this may not always be the case so it’s good to check and re-check things on your own as well. Human error can occur and mistakes can happen, but if you’re not aware of your own benefits and coverage this can slip under the radar and you could be paying for things out of pocket that you didn’t have to.

Insurance benefits and coverage can be a tricky thing to try to understand, so it’s important to take one thing at a time and to make contacts when you have questions. Calling the insurance company can sometimes be challenging so set aside time you know you can dedicate to this, or maybe your doctor’s office can help you navigate and understand your benefits. Sometimes you can use online customer support services to contact your insurance or connect to patient portals through your doctor’s office too. A relative, friend, neighbor or other resources in your community may also be able to help you decipher your insurance coverage. Again, you are your own best advocate when it comes to your care so being thorough and asking questions and reviewing your benefits is an essential part of the process.

Medicare Open Enrollment is Coming!

Posted on October 11, 2017 by Angel Blair

On October 15^th Medicare’s open enrollment period begins and lasts until December 7^th. It’s during this time period that you can review your current Medicare plan and make changes if needed. You do not need to sign up for Medicare each year, but this is an important time when you should review your coverage to make adjustments if necessary, to ensure your health insurance needs are being met. And with the government currently discussing change that could potentially impact different parts of the healthcare system, it’s also a good time to stay up-to-date on this news as it unfolds.

Medicare beneficiaries who have a Medicare Advantage plan or Part D plan should receive paperwork called “Evidence of Coverage” or “Annual Notice of Change” letters from your health plan showing coverage outlines and any changes that will occur. It’s very important to review these materials to make sure of any changes in the plan’s costs, providers, benefits, drug formularies, etc. so that if something is changing with your plan, you are aware of it and can make changes to your coverage, if needed. These plans can change their benefits so it’s crucial to review your policy and any upcoming changes.

So, what can be done during the open enrollment period? According to Medicare, you can do the following:

Switch from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage Plan and vice versa.
Switch from one Medicare Advantage Plan to another Medicare Advantage Plan or from one Part D prescription plan to another.
Join a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan (Part D Plan) if you haven’t done so.
Drop your Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage.

Something else to keep in mind is that if you are not satisfied with your Medicare Advantage Plan, you can disenroll from that plan and join Original Medicare during the Medicare Advantage Disenrollment Period. This disenrollment period is open from January 1^st to February 14^th.

For additional help, you can receive individualized assistance and guidance in choosing coverage through your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP). This resource provides one-on-one insurance counseling and support, visit https://www.shiptacenter.org/ to find your local office.

This is an important time to review your plan’s policy and make changes if needed to ensure that you have the appropriate coverage for your healthcare needs.

Resources:

http://www.medicareinteractive.org/get-answers/overview-of-medicare-health-coverage-options/changing-medicare-health-coverage/6-things-to-know-about-fall-open-enrollment

https://www.medicare.gov/sign-up-change-plans/when-can-i-join-a-health-or-drug-plan/when-can-i-join-a-health-or-drug-plan.html#collapse-3190

Insurance Open Enrollment is Coming!

Posted on October 12, 2016 by Angel Blair

That’s right, it’s almost here again-that time of year when individuals can enroll in a Marketplace health insurance plan. The open enrollment period to sign up for 2017 health insurance coverage begins November 1, 2016. Those who are uninsured can search for insurance plan options and assistance through the Marketplace to find a plan that works for them. Some may even qualify for lower costs on insurance premiums depending on your household information. Be sure to review the deadlines to sign up for insurance coverage to ensure that you are covered on a plan beginning January 1, 2017.

As this is an important time for those who are uninsured, it is too for those who have previously purchased health insurance through the marketplace. For the latter, if you are not satisfied with your current plan purchased for 2016 and would like to make a change, now is the time to do so. During open enrollment you can review other insurance plans to see if another plan better matches your needs.

For those currently enrolled in marketplace plans, you may receive a letter from your insurance company explaining if the company will either automatically re-enroll you for 2017 coverage, or if you will not be automatically re-enrolled. If your insurance company plans to automatically re-enroll you for coverage but you would like to make a change, it’s important to review other policies during the enrollment period and take action to change it by December 15^thto ensure coverage beginning January 1^st.

Whether you’re notified that you’ll be re-enrolled in your current plan or not, you do have to update your expected income and household information for the 2017 coverage year. This is to ensure that your premium tax credits are correct and that you will receive the appropriate coverage costs and plan options for the next year. A letter from the health insurance marketplace is also sent out to individuals currently enrolled that better explains the actions needed to receive the accurate premium tax credits for 2017.

In addition to updating your own income and household information, be sure to take the time to review the different insurance plan policies and prices for the new 2017 coverage year as these do change. You can also find helpful information with MSAA resources like My Health Insurance Guide and The Affordable Care Act and Multiple Sclerosis brochure that provides an overview of the insurance planning process and steps to help you PLAN ahead.

Resources:

https://www.healthcare.gov/

https://www.healthcare.gov/lower-costs/

https://www.healthcare.gov/quick-guide/dates-and-deadlines/

https://www.healthcare.gov/keep-or-change-plan/

It’s Almost Medicare Open Enrollment Time!

Posted on October 7, 2016 by Angel Blair

A week from now Medicare’s open enrollment insurance period will begin, running from October 15^th until December 7^th. This is the time when you can review your current Medicare plan and make changes if needed. You do not need to sign up for Medicare each year, but you can review your coverage and make adjustments if necessary to ensure your health insurance needs are being met.

Medicare beneficiaries who have a Medicare Advantage plan or Part D plan should receive documents such as ‘Evidence of Coverage’ or ‘Annual Notice of Change’ letters from your health plan showing coverage outlines and any changes that will occur. It’s very important to review these materials to make sure of any changes in the plan’s costs, providers, benefits, drug formularies, etc. so that if something is changing with your plan, you are aware of it and can make changes to your coverage if needed. These plans can change their benefits so it’s crucial to review your policy and any upcoming changes.

What can you do during the open enrollment period? According to Medicare’s website you can:

Switch from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage Plan and vice versa.
Switch from one Medicare Advantage Plan to another Medicare Advantage Plan or from one Part D prescription plan to another.
Join a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan (Part D Plan) if you haven’t done so.

MSAA’s My Health Insurance Guide is another helpful source for the MS community to find more information about insurance options and resources. This is an important time, so be sure to review your plan’s coverage and make changes if needed to make sure it’s right for you!

Resources:

http://www.medicareinteractive.org/get-answers/overview-of-medicare-health-coverage-options/changing-medicare-health-coverage/6-things-to-know-about-fall-open-enrollment

https://www.medicare.gov/sign-up-change-plans/when-can-i-join-a-health-or-drug-plan/when-can-i-join-a-health-or-drug-plan.html#collapse-3190

Creating Some Order in the Medical Billing Chaos

Posted on September 14, 2016 by MSAA

By Stacie Prada

Medical bills can be daunting to track when a person is healthy and only has a few appointments a year. When a person is injured or has a chronic illness, the number of medical bills and insurance statements that arrive by mail can be staggering. Compounding the confusion is that they’re often confusing to read and understand. Trying to track them and know which bill has been covered, denied or ignored can be overwhelming. It can also get very expensive if you end up paying for things your insurance should cover.

Keeping a checklist and single filing spot for these medical bills and insurance statements lends some order to the chaos and helps reduce the stress of dealing with financial tasks. It took me a while to come up with this method, and it has since evolved to a pretty simple method it works for me.

Medical Billing Tracking Example

I created a checklist to track each visit with information needed to track payment. I use a fresh checklist for each doctor’s visit, MRI scan or lab test since each one may require working with different billing companies. I print these on 4×6 index cards, but you could use any size paper that works for you. I’ve included a blank Medical Bill Tracking Sheet and one that I’ve filled in as an example in this post.

After a medical appointment, fill in the top of a Medical Bill Tracking sheet with the year, provider and the date the Appointment/service provided.
When a bill or insurance statement arrives in the mail, open it, read it, and add notes to the tracking sheet. Staple the bill or insurance statement to the back of the tracking sheet. Any time a new piece of mail arrives regarding that appointment; staple it to the back of the tracking sheet. It will build up to a stack of papers that all relate to that appointment.
For an insurance statement, see if it was paid or denied. Often, if it’s denied, they’re really asking for additional information before making a final decision on the claim. You’ll have a time limit to provide the information, so it’s important to read it and understand what it says.
If you have more than one insurance plan, coordination of benefits can become a part time job. Get used to calling each of the insurance providers to ask who has covered what and what they need to keep processing the payment. You may need to call the other insurance company or medical provider for information to fax to another company. Be prepared to spend a lot of time on hold when you call. Take good notes and get used to being your own financial advocate.
If you receive a bill from the provider, look to see if insurance has covered anything. If it’s not listed on the bill, call the provider to see if they’ll bill your insurance. If not, you may need to submit the bill to your insurance company yourself. I’ve often had instances where the bill wasn’t paid by my insurance company, but when I called the provider I was able to confirm my insurance information and have them resubmit the bill to insurance.
Sometimes the provider doesn’t hear back from insurance and will send you a bill for the full amount. If that’s the case, call your insurance company and ask what the status of payment is. I’ve had providers frustrated that they hadn’t received payment after billing insurance. One year each time I called my insurance company, the representative would ask questions about the date of service and provider’s billing date before telling me the bill was in process and would be paid next week. It seemed like a game and too coincidental for every bill, but I just factored it in to the process for moving it along.
Once insurance has paid for medical expenses covered under your policy, you should receive a bill from your provider for any amount you owe. Make sure it matches what your insurance statement says you owe. If you’re not able to pay it in full, call them and see if they’ll offer a sliding scale or payment plan.
Remember there are national and community assistance programs available for people without insurance or ability to pay for their health care. Call MSAA to see if they offer assistance or if they can suggest another organization that may be able to help.
File all of these tracking packets that have been paid in full and are done in one place. You may need them to confirm payment was received if duplicate bills are sent before they receive payment. If you receive a duplicate bill, staple it to the stack. Don’t throw anything away in case the provider doesn’t apply your payment correctly.
If you talk to anyone along the way, write it on the bill or the tracking sheet. Know and write down the name of the person you talked to, the date, and what was said. Being friendly and knowledgeable goes a long way to clearing up any confusion and getting help from people to resolve any problems.

Things to know about your medical insurance coverage:

Deductible amount for each year
The out of pocket maximum your policy covers, if applicable
If your policy includes a Health Reimbursement Account (HRA) the amount you’ve earned for the year.

Knowing this information will help you anticipate how much money you may need to dedicate to your health expenses each year. I assume I’ll need to pay the maximum out of pocket amount each year, and I budget that amount for the beginning of the calendar year. It’s also handy if you itemize taxes and need to know what you spent on medical expenses during the year. Another benefit of having your records in order is that someone else could understand the status of your bills if you need someone to step in and assist you.

Keeping my finances in order allows me to avoid a lot of stress and time wasted figuring out what’s been done and what hasn’t. While the instructions for tracking this may seem obvious, it’s nice to be able to go back to the steps and checklist when the volume of paperwork gets overwhelming.

Blank Medical Billing Tracking Checklist

*Stacie Prada was diagnosed with RRMS in 2008 at the age of 38. Her blog, “Keep Doing What You’re Doing” is a compilation of inspiration, exploration, and practical tips for living with Multiple Sclerosis while living a full, productive, and healthy life with a positive perspective. It includes musings on things that help her adapt, cope and rejoice in this adventure on earth. Please visit her at http://stacieprada.blogspot.com/

Insurance Open Enrollment Begins!

Posted on November 6, 2015 by Angel Blair

It’s that time of year again when individuals can enroll in a Marketplace health insurance plan. The open enrollment period to sign up for 2016 health insurance coverage begins November 1, 2015. For those who are uninsured, this marks the time when you can search for insurance plan options and assistance that may be right for you within the Marketplace. You may even qualify for lower costs on insurance premiums depending on your household information. Be sure to review the deadlines to sign up for insurance coverage to ensure that you are covered on a plan beginning January 1, 2016.

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the Affordable Care Act is working and continuing to increase access to healthcare. Millions of people were able to obtain healthcare coverage through the Marketplace as of March 2015 and this has decreased the rate of those uninsured. Insurance affordability has increased also, with the eligibility to qualify for lower premium costs, the expansion of Medicaid coverage and additional plan options to choose from being key factors in this act.

While this open enrollment period is a significant time for those uninsured, it marks an equally important time for those who have previously purchased health insurance through the marketplace as well! If you are not satisfied with your current plan purchased for 2015 and would like to make a change, now’s the time to do so! During open enrollment you can review other insurance plans to see if another plan better matches your needs.

For those currently enrolled in marketplace plans, you may receive a letter from your insurance company explaining if the company will either automatically re-enroll you for 2016 coverage, or if you will not be automatically re-enrolled. If your insurance company plans to automatically re-enroll you for coverage but you would like to make a change, it’s important to review other policies during the enrollment period and take action to change it by December 15^thto ensure coverage beginning January 1^st.

Whether you’re notified that you’ll be re-enrolled in your current plan or not, you do have to update your expected income and household information for the 2016 coverage year. This ensures that your premium tax credits are correct and you will receive the appropriate coverage costs and plan options. A letter from the health insurance marketplace is also sent out to individuals currently enrolled that better explains the actions needed to receive the accurate premium tax credits for 2016.

Besides updating your own income and household information, be sure to take the time to review the different insurance plan policies and prices for the new 2016 coverage year as these do change. MSAA has resources that can help you in the decision making process with the My Health Insurance Guide and The Affordable Care Act and Multiple Sclerosis brochure that provides an overview of the insurance planning process and steps to help you PLAN ahead.

Sources:

https://www.healthcare.gov/lower-costs/

https://www.healthcare.gov/marketplace-deadlines/2016/

http://www.hhs.gov/healthcare/facts-and-features/fact-sheets/aca-is-working/index.html

https://www.healthcare.gov/keep-or-change-plan/

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