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How to Shop for a Medicare Plan from Home
Special to The Truth
Every year, eligible
individuals can shop for a health plan during Medicare’s
Annual Election Period (AEP), which runs from Oct. 15
through Dec. 7. Doing so can potentially improve your
coverage, lower your costs or both. The options are many,
including Original Medicare, Medicare Advantage (MA) plans,
Medicare Supplement plans and Prescription Drug Plans.
According to Aparna Abburi,
president of the Medicare Advantage business at Cigna, one
of the nation’s largest insurers, those concerned about
COVID-19 exposure have a number of ways to shop.
If you’re computer savvy,
visit plan websites like www.cigna.com/medicare or
Medicare’s Plan Finder at Medicare.gov. You might even be
able to attend a virtual educational session. If you prefer
phone, call individual plans or independent brokers
representing the health plan you’re considering. You can
also request a face-to-face meeting, but be sure to follow
the COVID-19 safety precautions outlined by the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention.
Abburi said you’ll want to
think about the following when picking a plan:
Review changes. In late
September, health plans send their MA customers a document
called the Annual Notice of Change (ANOC) with information
about costs, benefits, available doctors and facilities for
the upcoming year. Check this document to see if anything in
your plan will change.
Weigh extras. Pay
attention to extra benefits not available with Original
Medicare but which may be built into an MA plan at no
additional cost, such as dental, vision, transportation or
even an allowance for purchasing certain over-the-counter
items. In these times, you might be especially interested in
benefits that help you stay healthy while safe at home, such
as telehealth, prescription drug delivery and in-home
fitness programs.
Know your network. Beyond
cost, make sure the plan’s network includes your favorite
facilities and doctors. Are you okay seeking care within a
network? These kinds of choices should be guided by your own
personal goals and preferences.
Consider costs. To
estimate total costs, first, know the plan’s premium or
monthly cost. Second, check for out-of-pocket costs,
including copays and deductibles on doctor and hospital
visits and prescription drugs. Finally, check to see what
the cost will be if you need to see a specialist. In some
plans, you pay more for going outside your network.
Don’t forget prevention.
Many MA plans cover preventive health screenings beyond
those covered by Original Medicare. Talk to your doctor
about which screenings are important for you given your age
and health status. While it’s smart to minimize your risk to
COVID-19, you still want to make sure you’re getting
preventive and other necessary care. Your doctor will have
proper safety protocols in place.
Courtesy StatePoint
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