December 5, 2020 Issue, Page 5 of 10

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December 5, 2020 omparing Medicare Plans Can Save You Money Medicare Open Enrollment is here. With plan premiums at historic lows, now's the time to review your coverage options FAMILY FEATURES ‘= Some plans offer extra benefits, like vision, ‘edicare’s Open Enrollment hearing or dental coverage, which could help gives people with Medicare the ‘meet your unique health care needs in 2021. opportunity to sign up for health = Ifyou take insulin, you may find a plan offering Medicare Covers the Flu Shot or prescription drug plans, or insulin for $35 or less for a month’s supply. make changes to their existing health plans or This year, it’s more important than ever to get a flu shot, according to the Centers for prescription drug plans for coverage beginning Disease Control and Prevention. Many people with Medicare are at greater risk for serious Jan, 1, 2021. But don’t delay — Open Enrollment Medicare is here to Help complications from flu. A flu shot is your best protection from getting and spreading the ‘Why compare plans for next year? Just as your Think you'll need help comparing plans? Here are ends on Dec. 7. flu, and Medicare covers it at no cost to you if you get it from an in-network provider. health care needs can change from year to year, some things you can do safely from your home: Protect yourself and others — visit your doctor, pharmacy or other local provider and get 0 do Medicare plans. While Medicare plans = Find plans at Medicare gov, where you can see your flu shot today. generally cover all Part A and Part B benefits, not estimates for all your prescriptions. all plans offer the same cost sharing or additional benefits. You may be able to find new extra ® Call us at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227), benefits, save money — or both. ‘TTY users can call 1-877-486-2048. Help is available 24 hoursa day, including weekends. What’s new this Open Enrollment? You can also find help in your community. Medicare plansin 2021 have historically low Get personalized health insurance counseling premiums ~ dropping an average of 34% over the at no cost to you from your State Health last three years, andin some states dropping over Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP). Visit 50%. There’s never been a better time to go to shiptacenter.org, or call 1-800-MEDICARE for Medicare.gov and look at your options. your SHIP’s phone number. Many SHIPs also If you're among the 1 in 3 people with have virtual counseling this year. Medicare who has diabetes, here's some more Medicare Open Enrollment ends on Dec. 7. ‘good news: hundreds of prescription drug plans Now’s the time to act if you want to enroll in will be participating in a new insulin savings initiative, through which they'll offer a month's or make changes to your Medicare health or supply of.a range of insulins for a copayment of prescription drug plan for coverage beginning $35 or less in 2021. If you take insulin and enroll January 1, 2021. If your current coverage still in one of these plans, you could save an average meets your needs, then you don’t have to do of $446 per year on your out-of-pocket costs for anything. Remember, if you miss the Dec. 7 insulin next year. deadline, you'll likely have to wait a full year Here are some things to consider when before you are able to make changes to your shopping for Medicare plans: Medicare coverage. = Check if your doctors are still in-network and For more information, visit Medicare.gov or call your prescriptions are on the plan’s formulary. 1-800-MEDICARE, If you need help in a language = The plan with the lowest monthly premium may other than English or Spanish, let the customer service representative know the language. not always be the best fit for your health needs. ‘You can also find information about Medicare = Look at the plan’s deductible and other out-of- on the Medicare Facebook page and by following pocket costs that factor into your total costs. @MedicareGov on Twitter. Protect Your Medicare Card and Help Fight Fraud Don’t let your guard down. Here are a few important steps you can take to protect your identity and help fight Medicare fraud. = Guard your Medicare card and Medicare Number — Treat these just like you would your Social Security card or a credit card. Remember, Medicare will never contact you for your Medicare Get Help Paying for Prescriptions ‘Number or other personal information unless you've given them permission in advance. People with Medicare can get prescription drug coverage. Some people with limited = Remember, nothing is ever “free” — As the saying goes, if it resources and income may also qualify for what’s called “Extra Help” to help pay for sounds too good to be true, it probably is. If someone calls to offer monthly premiums, annual deductibles and prescription co-payments related to a Medicare you a “free” service, equipment, or COVID-19 kits, just hang up. prescription drug pian. Medicare estimates that more than 2 million people with Medicare may be eligible for Extra = Review your Medicare claims — When you get statements from Help but aren’t currently enrolled the program. To qualify for Extra Help in 2020, your annual Medicare, look them over to make sure they’re accurate. Look income must be less than $19,140 a year ($25,860 for married couples). Even if your annual for any services billed to your Medicare Number that you don’t income is higher, you may still qualify. Also, your resources must also be limited to $14,610 recognize. Ask questions about your statements if you see (529,160 for married couples). Resources include bank accounts, stocks and bonds, but not your something you think is incorrect. house, car or life insurance policies. To see if you qualify for Extra Help, apply online at ssa.gov or call 1-800-772-1213. Information provided by the U.S. Depertment of Health & Human Services,