Medicare is complicated. It is important to learn about it.
San Juan Basin Area Agency on Aging can help. Not only does our State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) office have free counseling, we’re also hosting a free Medicare 101 class on Monday, April 24, at the Ruby M. Sisson Memorial Library. It’s through SHIP, not a private insurance company.
Also, if you have specific questions, certified Medicare counselors are available to guide you. Just call (970) 264-0502, ext. 4 for an appointment. You can leave a message 24 hours a day, and we’ll get back to you ASAP.
One of the San Juan Basin Area Agency on Aging (SJBAAA) Medicare counselors, Susan Wright, will offer a free Medicare 101 class for an hour or so on Monday, April 24, at 1:30pm at the library. Enjoy some snacks and treats while Ms. Wright gives you an overview of Medicare and answers your questions afterward.
Bring a pen and notepad.
Medicare help has been offered in Archuleta County at the Pagosa Senior Center for more than 15 years. SJBAAA is the sponsoring agency for free Medicare counsel- ing services at the Senior Center (the west end of the Ross Aragon Community Center) on Hot Springs Boulevard. On most Mondays, called Medicare Mondays, counsel- ors are available by appointment. Counseling occurs on additional days during the annual Part C and D Open Enrollment Period, October 15 through December 7, and sometimes by phone or appointment on other days.
Advantage Plans also have enrollments from January 1 to March 30. You can compare prices and see what insurance companies offer plans in our area at Medicare.gov.
SJBAAA counselors are also trained as Senior Medicare Patrol counselors (SMP). They can help with possible health care fraud, errors and abuse. There are even rewards available for reporting Medicare fraud. You can report it at Medicare.gov, or call 1 (800) 633-4227. TTY users can call 1(877) 486-2048.
You can also report abuse, like all those annoying phone calls from private insurance companies by calling (888) 382-1222 or visiting www.donotcall.gov. It’s estimated we lose $100 billion a year from Medicare and Medicaid fraud and abuse. Whether it’s overbilling, phony billing or spending health care money reaching out for new customers instead of using government money for care, we need to report it.
Medicare eligibility begins at age 65 (unless you are younger and have been on disability for almost two years). Three months before (and until three months after) your birth month you can enroll in Medicare and start making decisions about your options. Some of the questions you need to consider follow:
• Are you eligible for Medicare Part A and Part B? Do you need both?
• Do you have a retirement plan that will work with Medicare?
• Do you want a Medicare supplement (also called Medigap)?
• Would you prefer coverage through a Medicare Advantage plan from an insurance company?
•Do you want a Part D drug plan to avoid a monthly penalty? If so, which plan would work best for you? This varies depending on which drugs you take.
• Do you qualify for help with part B or D premiums?
Generally, you can enroll in Medicare online at www.ssa.gov or by calling the Social Security Administration in Durango at (888) 472-6115.