Area Agency on Aging to Assist with Benefits Counseling for Medicare Beneficiaries Through Open Enrollment
East Texas Area Agency on Aging • October 31, 2022
People with Medicare have more choices and options for their Medicare coverage in 2023. Plan costs and covered benefits have changed, so the Area Agency on Aging of East Texas (AAA) encourages people with Medicare to look at their coverage choices and decide the options that best fits their health needs. Open Enrollment for 2023 Medicare health and drug plans begin on October 15, 2022, and ends December 7, 2022, giving individuals a chance to modify their plans.
The changes Medicare recipients can make during Open Enrollment include
- Joining a new Medicare Advantage Plan or Part D prescription drug plan
- Switching from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage Plan
- Switching from a Medicare Advantage Plan to Original Medicare (with or without a Part D plan)
Beneficiaries should always shop for a new drug plan, and Medicare Advantage plan each year to ensure they are getting the best coverage for the best price to suit their needs. Plans can be viewed and compared at www.medicare.gov.
“I often hear people say, ‘I’m really happy with my current Medicare prescription plan so I don’t need to call a Benefits Counselor or look at making any changes.’ What you might not realize is the price of your current plan can change every year,” said AAA Director Colleen Halliburton. “If you do not go through the plan review process, you may be surprised on January 1st with higher costs, and those costs will be locked in for another year.”
The AAA is also known as the State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) and is available to compare your current coverage with available options and assist you with enrollment at no cost. Speak to a qualified Benefits Counselor by calling the Area Agency on Aging at 1-800-442-8845. You may set up an appointment and be advised over the phone, by virtual meeting, or in person.
Local Scheduled Presentations
Our Certified Benefits Counselors have an event scheduled for several counties in the 14-county ETCOG region. These counties include Anderson, Henderson, Marion, Rains, and Wood. A list of scheduled presentations with times and locations can be viewed at www.easttexasaaa.org/benefits-counseling. These presentations require an appointment prior to arrival. To reserve your spot, call the Area Agency on Aging at 1-800-442-8845.
Be on alert for these Medicare Open Enrollment scams
- Medicare or a health plan calls and wants to send you a new health card for $299.
- You receive a call about a refund from last year’s premiums or your drug plan cost.
- An agent tries to sign you up for a plan that you don’t need, isn’t right for you, or doesn’t even exist.
- Watch out for fake RX cards offering significant discounts with little or no benefits.
- You receive a call offering significant discounts on a new health insurance plan.
Tips on how to stop fraud during Open Enrollment
- Medicare will never call or visit. Medicare will only send information via postal mail service.
- Guard your Medicare card and number like a credit card.
- Don’t give out your Medicare number except to your doctor or other providers.
- Don’t let someone push you into making a fast decision.
- If you receive a call, especially from a number you do not recognize or anyone requesting personal information, hang up immediately.
- Know your health care options. Get help from your family, the Medicare website, or your local State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP).
- No health care plan is allowed to cold call.
For questions about fraud or to report a scam, please contact the Senior Medicare Patrol at 1-888-341-6187.
The Area Agency on Aging of East Texas (AAA) opened a new congregate meal site in Marshall on Monday, December 15th. Older adults, aged 60 and up, eligible for the Senior Nutrition Program will be able to enjoy a hot lunch, good conversation, and a friendly place to gather. Location George Washington Carver Community Center 2302 Holland St Marshall, TX 75670 Meal Hours Monday–Thursday 11:00 AM–12:30 PM Phone 903-923-8410 The Senior Nutrition Program supports adults age 60 and older through both congregate meals and home-delivered meals. These meals follow dietary guidelines and help older adults stay connected and healthy. For folks who can’t travel, home-delivered meals bring food, a wellness check, and a bit of company to their door. How to Enroll Adults age 60 and older can join the Senior Nutrition Program by contacting the provider for their county listed at: easttexasaaa.org/nutrition , or by receiving a referral from AAA staff. Caregivers who care for someone receiving home-delivered meals may also be referred for services by calling AAA. The Carver Community Center site will give more Marshall and Harrison County residents a place to eat, visit, and keep a steady routine. If you or someone you know could benefit, contact the AAA for assistance!
Medicare Open Enrollment runs from October 15 until December 7, and people with Medicare will have more coverage options to consider. Plan costs and covered benefits have changed, so our Area Agency on Aging of East Texas (AAA) is offering benefits counseling assistance to encourage Medicare recipients to review their coverage choices and decide on the options that best fit their health needs. The changes Medicare recipients can make during Open Enrollment include: Joining a new Medicare Advantage Plan or Part D prescription drug plan Switching from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage Plan Switching from a Medicare Advantage Plan to Original Medicare (with or without a Part D plan) “Medicare Open Enrollment allows you the opportunity to review your healthcare plan and check on your financial well-being, which could also help save costs and coverage,” says AAA Benefits Counselor Nellie Spencer. “Call us and talk to an unbiased, qualified Benefits Counselor. We are also your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) and available free of charge to go over your options.” For assistance, please call the Area Agency on Aging at 1-800-442-8845 to speak to a qualified benefits counselor. Appointments can be made over the phone, in a virtual meeting, or in person. Local Open Enrollment presentations: Benefits counselors will also be available for appointments at these community events during the Open Enrollment period. To reserve your spot, call the Area Agency on Aging at 1-800-442-8845. Walk-ins will be accepted. Palestine Resource Center for Independent Living, 421 Avenue A, Palestine, TX Date: Tuesday, November 4th Time: 9:00 am-3:00 pm George Washington Carver Community Center, 2303 Holland St., Marshall, TX Date: Thursday, November 6th Time: 10:00 am-2:00 pm Mt. Zion C.M.E. Church, 104 State Hwy. 64, Ben Wheeler, TX Date: Thursday, November 13th Time: 1:00 pm-3:30 pm First Christian Church, 1920 Beaumont St., Jacksonville, TX Date: Thursday, November 20th Time: 9:00 am-12:00 pm Be on alert for these Medicare Open Enrollment scams: There are no "limited time offers." Medicare or a health plan calls and wants to send you a new health card for $299. You receive a call about a refund from last year's premiums or your drug plan cost. An agent tries to sign you up for a plan that you don't need, isn't right for you, or doesn't even exist. Watch out for fake RX cards offering significant discounts with little or no benefits. You receive a call offering significant discounts on a new health insurance plan. Agents can NOT cold call you. Tips on how to stop fraud during Open Enrollment: If it's "too good to be true," it probably is. Don't trust all the ads you see on TV. Review the plan BEFORE you join. Even if you're not switching, review your current plan to ensure it covers your doctors. Medicare will never call or visit. Medicare will only send information via postal mail service. Guard your Medicare card and number like a credit card. Don't give out your Medicare number except to your doctor or other providers. Don't let someone push you into making a fast decision. If you receive a call, especially from a number you do not recognize or anyone requesting personal information, hang up immediately. Know your health care options. Get help from your family, the Medicare website, or your local State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP), which for East Texas is the AAA. No health care plan is allowed to cold call. Medicare plans can be viewed and compared at www.medicare.gov .
