Medicare Open Enrollment is underway through Dec. 7, and while the U.S. Census Bureau estimates 76,000 Las Vegans are eligible, research shows it’s not just older adults who should pay attention. According to AARP and the National Alliance for Caregiving, about 9.5 million millennials nationwide serve in caregiving roles for aging parents and grandparents — and may find themselves in the position to make, or at least influence, Medicare decisions.
For those stressing out about Medicare Open Enrollment, here are some do’s and don’ts to help navigate the process.
• Don’t mess up the dates. Medicare is different from what’s available to the rest of the population through the government’s Health Insurance Marketplace (the Affordable Care Act). Each has one its own open enrollment period. The marketplace deadline is Dec. 15. For the 65-and-older crowd, the Medicare deadline is Dec. 7.
• Don’t assume Medicare is automatic. The No. 1 mistake people make is thinking that if they’ve recently turned 65, they are automatically signed up for Medicare. Automatic enrollment is only for people already receiving Social Security benefits.
• Don’t think your family member doesn’t need Medicare. Even those covered through an employer, a retiree plan, COBRA or an individual plan purchased through a state health exchange, if they are 65 or older, they still need to enroll in Medicare. Hospitals and medical groups will treat any other type of insurance as secondary coverage — even if they haven’t enrolled in Medicare — which could leave them to pay costly medical bills out of pocket.
• Don’t take a one-size-fits-all approach. What works for one person may not work for another. Maybe Grandpa is on a new medication, while Grandma had surgery. Or your dad has a chronic condition, while your mom is a picture of health. Encourage family members to carefully consider their health care needs and how they personally access health care to determine the best individual plan for them.
• Do consider every scenario. Health care needs can change quickly, so consider what your family’s needs may be in the coming year. Original Medicare typically does not cover long-term or nursing home care, dental, vision, hearing or alternative therapies. But some Medicare Part C, or Medicare Advantage, plans may pay for those services.
• Do take advantage of cost savings. If your parents or grandparents work, it’s possible Medicare costs less than what they’re paying for health insurance premiums through an employer, especially Medicare Advantage plans.
Enrolling in Medicare doesn’t have to be overwhelming. If you’re prepared and know what to look for, you can play a key role in helping your loved ones get the best care possible. To learn more, visit medicaremadeforme.com.
Dr. Lana Dawood specializes in family medicine with HealthCare Partners, a DaVita Medical Group.