It’s that time of the year again for us seniors! Starting October 15 to December 7, you can change your Medicare plan for 2017 coverage. If you are satisfied, you need to do nothing and it will roll over. However, it is wise to check to make sure that your current plan is still the best option. To do this is quite complicated. A great website is www.medicareresources.org.
Also, be sure to sign up when you reach 65. In fact, you can do this online. It is best if you to do it when you are 64½ so you can get the wheels moving in time. If you don’t sign up, then you are subject to a late enrollment penalty that can cost you 1 percent more of the premium for every year you have delayed.
Let me tell you my experience. I am 85 years old and a widow. I signed up in time starting at age 65 and am insured under Medicare Part A. Last year I thought I would take advantage of the free service given at the Rubin Community Center. This is a free government service by SHIP – State Health Insurance Program. (They can call it free, but you know who is really paying them – we are.)
I called the Rubin Center at (630) 848-5000 and they gave me an hour appointment time. I met with the very kind gentleman there. He was so very knowledgeable and whizzed through so fast on the computer – something that would take me hours to figure out. Turns out we changed plans at a cost savings of around $150 a year. Also I was enrolled in Part D, which is for prescriptions.
Confession: Recently I had to pick up a prescription and the total was $365. I gave the pharmacist my Medicare card Part A. Then when I commented that the cost was surely high, she asked me if I were enrolled in Part D for prescriptions. I said I didn’t know. The Medicare card said I was Part A and that is what I gave her. So I then paid the cost and she said if I found out I was Part D I could come back and she would credit me.
After I got home, I pulled out the file and sure enough I have Part D and there is a separate card that shows that. Now when I show my insurance cards, I will certainly also show my Part D card.
If you wish to take advantage of going to the Rubin Center, better call and sign up now as the open appointment times fill up quite rapidly.
Chuckle time: Why pay money to have your family tree traced? Go into politics and your opponents will do it for you.
