Troy Event Offers Help with Medicare Choices

The Area Agency on Aging 1-B’s Medicare Medicaid Assistance Program (MMAP) is offering free assistance to Medicare beneficiaries who would like help understanding their Medicare options and making plan choices during Medicare’s Annual Open Enrollment Period. MMAP will be holding a free Medicare Assistance event at the Troy Community Center on Tuesday, December 5 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Medicare Open Enrollment runs annually October 15 through December 7. It’s the time of year that you can make changes to your plan choices regarding Part D Prescription plans or Medicare Advantage plans. During Open Enrollment you can:

• Enroll in or switch Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Plans
• Change from original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage Plan or vice versa
• Switch Medicare Advantage Plans

Plan choices made during Open Enrollment will take effect January 1, 2018.

Review Your Part D Prescription Plan Yearly
If you have a Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Plan, it’s smart to do an annual review of your plan choices during the Open Enrollment window—even if you’ve been happy with your current plan. Premiums, co-pays and deductibles can change from year to year. Even changes to the medications you’re taking can have an impact on overall plan costs. You want to make sure a plan that worked for you this year will continue to work well in 2018.

Troy Event Helps Beneficiaries Sort Through Options
The event will let Medicare beneficiaries meet in-person with knowledgeable and unbiased MMAP volunteers who can help walk them through their options. There is no fee to meet with a counselor, but an appointment is needed. To make your appointment for the Troy event, call MMAP at 800-803-7174. Events are also being held in Sterling Heights (November 21 and December 6) and Farmington Hills (December 4).

Help Also Available by Phone
MMAP counselors are also available by phone to answer questions and offer guidance. Counselors are available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and can be reached by calling 800-803-7174.

Use the Tools Available at Medicare.gov
Medicare.gov also offers a free, online Medicare Plan Finder Tool. This tool lets you plug in different variables including the medications you take and the pharmacy you use. Plans can be sorted based on factors like premiums, deductibles or quality ratings to help you find a plan that’s right for you.

A quality rating, included in the Plan Finder results for each plan, can also help you make decisions. A star rating of 1 to 5 is used to express how the plan has performed. A rating of 1 star means “poor” quality, 2 stars means “below average” quality, 3 stars means “average” quality, 4 stars means “above average” quality and 5 stars means “excellent” quality.

Remember to Review Your Plan and Get Answers
Medicare options can seem overwhelming, but help is available to make sure you’ll have a plan that’s right for you. If you have questions during Open Enrollment, call MMAP at 800-803-7174. You can also visit the Area Agency on Aging 1-B website at www.aaa1b.org.