Blog Post
Benefits Counseling Assistance Available for Medicare Beneficiaries Through Open Enrollment
Area Agency on Aging of East Texas • October 20, 2020
Follow these Tips to Avoid Medicare Fraud
People with Medicare have more choices and options for their Medicare coverage in 2021 with historically low premiums. 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 2021 Medicare health and drug plans began on October 15, 2020, and ends December 7, 2020, 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.
“We recommend that you get a family member to help if you don’t use the Internet or call us to talk with a certified Benefits Counselor. Our Benefits Counselors may not recommend a specific policy or plan, but can provide factual, unbiased information and assistance to help seniors make their choice of coverage. And it is always good to compare plans every year, even if you like your current plan," said AAA director Bettye Mitchell.
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 1-800-442-8845. You may set up an appointment and be advised over the phone or by virtual meeting.
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.
Assistance is available to find and compare 2025 health and drug plans now
We can't wait to host hundreds of area nursing facility administrators, practitioners, caregivers, and others who work with seniors at our 33rd annual REACH Conference (Regional Education on Aging, Caregiving, and Healthcare) next month! The Area Agency on Aging (AAA) hosts the annual conference to provide educational workshops, plenary sessions, and networking opportunities. This year's conference will be held at Maude Cobb in Longview on October 2-3 and is ideal for professionals or caregivers serving older adults and persons with disabilities.
About Us
The Area Agency on Aging of East Texas
is designated by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) to coordinate services for persons in East Texas who are 60 or older, with particular attention to low-income minority older individuals, older individuals with limited-English proficiency, and older individuals residing in rural areas.
1501 Pentecost Road
Kilgore, Texas 75662
1-800-442-8845
Deaf, hard-of-hearing or speech-impaired customers may contact
Relay Texas: 800-735-2989 (TTY) and 711 (Voice).
Equal opportunity is the law.
Equal opportunity notice in English and Spanish
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