Unbiased Answers to Medicare Questions

You’re turning 65 and wondering which of the various Medicare options are best for you. Friends and neighbors have suggestions and tips, and the airwaves and online media are full of suggestions as to which plan would be best for you. How do you decide?

Washington Hospital’s Health Insurance Information Service can help you navigate the bewildering array of options and suggestions. “Everyone on Medicare should review their current plans–both medical and drug coverage–to check whether your plans cover your current needs, and to see what new options are available,” says Kristi Caracappa, the Hospital’s Health Insurance Information Service coordinator.

For example, does your current plan or the one you may be considering cover your current prescriptions? You may have new medications that aren’t covered or one of your current prescriptions may have been dropped or changed to a different tier. Does the plan you are considering cover any medical equipment you may need? Have your health care requirements changed as a result of recent illnesses or an accident?

Caracappa will cover these and other issues and questions at two complimentary community seminars from 11 a.m. to noon on Tuesday, Oct. 8, and from 6 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 9. The in-person seminars will be held at Washington West, 2500 Mowry Ave., in Fremont. Enrollment information is available at whhs.com/events.

At the seminar, Caracappa will discuss how and when to sign up for Medicare, options available to cover extra costs, how Medicare plans work in your local community and how best to choose a prescription drug plan that will cover your medications. She also will discuss Medicare, Medicare Advantage plans (Part C) and Medicare supplemental insurance enrollment options, any upcoming changes to Medicare and/or Part D, and answer questions about changes, choices and timing.

Caracappa encourages everyone who is Medicare eligible, including those who receive Medicare benefits because of a qualified disability, to review their plan each year before open enrollment. In addition to Part D which offers prescription drug coverage, Medicare Advantage plans (Part C) also should be reviewed annually. Part C plans are run by private insurers and can vary from year to year. Coverage may depend on which county you reside. Additional advantageous benefits may now be available.

The Hospital’s Health Insurance Information Service is a free, unbiased and confidential service for individuals, regardless of health insurance. The service can help with questions about individual and group plans, government-sponsored programs such as Medi-Cal or Covered California and, of course, Medicare and all its options.

“The service does not sell insurance or recommend specific policies,” Caracappa adds. “We’re here to help you understand the choices you may have, answer health insurance questions or direct you to a physician referral service.” The service also provides information on insurance options following a job loss or job change, answering questions about changes in benefit coverage and COBRA. Caracappa can also explain what an advance health care directive is and how to complete one.

To learn more about how the service can assist you, call Caracappa at 510.818.7005. Additional information is available on the Washington Hospital website at whhs.com–insurance. Caracappa highly recommends attendance to one of the seminars on Oct. 8 or Oct. 9.