The deadline for Medicare Part D sign up was June 30, but in November, seniors will have the opportunity to decide if their current plan is right for them and change to a different plan if they choose.
Council on Aging President Emily Haney said that seniors should use this time between now and November to gain as much education as they can about their plan and other plans they might be considering.
Leading up to the June 30 deadline, one and possibly two companies were going door-to-door selling the new Advantage –or Medicare C—to seniors. Haney said that several seniors enrolled in the Advantage plan, but then contacted her office wanting to know how to get out of it when it didn’t meet their needs.
Haney said most seniors in this area are adequately covered by Medicare A and B. The Advantage plan bundles Medicare A, B and D, but medical bills go to the Advantage plan and not Medicare. Medical coverage is then through the insurance company selling the plan. Advantage plans, while not considered HMOs, do specify a list of doctors and hospitals that clients may use.
Athens Police Capt. Marty Bruce said that after receiving several inquiries about the sales people, his department looked into the company.
“They are a legitimate company, but what they’re doing is selling this like a Medicare supplement and you end up dropping your regular Medicare, is what we found,” said Bruce.
Haney said seniors could opt out of the Advantage plan through a written request that her office would help them draw up.
“You have to know the right channels,” said Haney. “We’ve had more people request to get out of then than to get into them. However, we know one lady who has an Advantage plan and is happy with it.”
Haney advised seniors that if they are approached by a sales person to ask to see a list of the doctors and hospitals that are covered.
“It’s always best to make an informed decision and remember the Council on Aging is always there to help,” she said.
Contact the Council on Aging at 233-6412.
Local News
Seniors urged to educate selves on Medicare
- Local News
-
-
ELECTION 2012: Steven Haynes, Commission District 2 Q&A
The following is part of a series of interviews with District 2 County Commission candidates who have qualified to appear on the March 13 primary ballot. Look for submitted articles from license commission candidates Wednesday and candidate interviews next Sunday.
-
ELECTION 2012: Ned Turner, Commission District 2 Q&A
These interviews with District 2 County Commission candidates are the latest in The News Courier’s series on the March 13 primary election. Look for submitted announcements from license commission candidates Wednesday, followed by a Q&A next Sunday.
-
ELECTION 2012: Richard Lauderdale, Commission District 2 Q&A
The following is part of a series of interviews with District 2 County Commission candidates who have qualified to appear on the March 13 primary ballot. Look for submitted articles from license commission candidates Wednesday and candidate interviews next Sunday.
-
ELECTION 2012: Warren Herring, Commission District 2 Q&A
The following is part of a series of interviews with District 2 County Commission candidates who have qualified to appear on the March 13 primary ballot. Look for submitted articles from license commission candidates Wednesday and candidate interviews next Sunday.
- Federally funded SPRINT trial taking place in Limestone County
-
ELECTION 2012: Rex Davis, Commission District 2 Q&A
The following is part of a series of interviews with District 2 County Commission candidates who have qualified to appear on the March 13 primary ballot. Look for submitted articles from license commission candidates Wednesday and candidate interviews next Sunday.
-
MORE STORIES: Click LOCAL NEWS bar at top left
Click "Local News" bar at top left for more stories
-
Knology upgrade may cause service disruptions
Mike Adams, general manager of Knology in Huntsville, said the updates will improve the integrity and quality of cable and Internet service in Athens.
- Only way to vote local is Republican
-
BREAKING NEWS: Whitney Houston, superstar of records, films, dies
Whitney Houston, who ruled as pop music's queen until her majestic voice and regal image were ravaged by drug use, erratic behavior and a tumultuous marriage to singer Bobby Brown, has died. She was 48.
Houston's publicist, Kristen Foster, said Saturday that the singer had died, but the cause and the location of her death were unknown. - More Local News Headlines
-
Police: Houston Found Dead in Her Hotel Room
Paul Suffers Narrow Loss to Romney in Maine
Recording Superstar Whitney Houston Dead at 48
Maine GOP Chairman Says Romney Wins Caucuses
Palin Brings Anti-Washington Message to CPAC
Obama Scraps Birth Control Mandate
US Airmen's Killer Sentenced to Life in Germany
Navy Names Ship for Gabrielle Giffords
Raw Video: Deadly Blasts in Syria
Romney Slams President Obama at CPAC
Gingrich: Pres. Obama 'waging War on Religion'
5 Killed in Wrong-way Crash on I-10 in La.
Uzbek Man Pleads Guilty in Plot to Kill Obama
Denver's Largest-Ever Drug Bust Nets Dozens
Marines: No Punishment for Nazi-like Flag
Vets Look to Translate Military Skills Into Jobs
Raw Video: School Bus Burst Into Flames
LA School Reopens Amid Sex Abuse Scandal
$25B Settlement Reached Over Foreclosure Abuses
Pentagon: Allow Women Closer to Front Lines
