Medicare Open Enrollment runs through December 7
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OVERVIEW
Call our Medicare experts to review your Medicare options. SeniorsPlus is a nonprofit; our Medicare counseling is unbiased and free.
SeniorsPlus can help if you:
Medicare counselors at SeniorsPlus can guide you through complicated health insurance decisions. We can answer your questions on Medicare, Medicaid (MaineCare), supplemental insurance, prescription drug programs, and related health insurance.
Call SeniorsPlus at 1-800-427-1241 to speak to a Medicare Counselor.
Medicare Part A – Medicare Part A pays for a hospital room after you pay a deductible based on 60-day benefit periods.
Medicare Part B – After you pay an annual deductible, Medicare Part B pays 80% of all outpatient visits like doctor’s appointments, blood draws, and physical therapy. Part B also pays for 80% of surgeons in a hospital and outpatient treatments/medications.
Original Medicare is not networked so a beneficiary can go to any provider that accepts Medicare nationwide.
Medicare Part D – This option is for Medicare Prescription Drug coverage. These plans can be standalone plans that go with original Medicare or are part of a Medicare Advantage Plans with Drug Coverage (MAPD) and are offered by private insurance companies for Medicare.
Medicare Part A – Medicare Part A pays for a hospital room after you pay a deductible based on 60-day benefit periods.
Medicare Part B – After you pay an annual deductible, Medicare Part B pays 80% of all outpatient visits like doctor’s appointments, blood draws, and physical therapy. Part B also pays for 80% of surgeons in a hospital and outpatient treatments/medications.
Original Medicare is not networked so a beneficiary can go to any provider that accepts Medicare nationwide.
Medicare Part D – This option is for Medicare Prescription Drug coverage. These plans can be standalone plans that go with original Medicare or are part of a Medicare Advantage Plans with Drug Coverage (MAPD) and are offered by private insurance companies for Medicare.
Medigap policies
**Penalties – There are substantial penalties for not enrolling into Medicare B and/or a Medicare prescription drug plan. Please call SeniorsPlus for details.
Medicare Part C or Medicare Advantage Plans with Drug coverage (MAPD): These are health insurance plans with a combination of Medicare Part A, Part B, drug coverage, and extra health insurance. Plans can cover dental, vision, hearing aids, and other services. These plans are networked so you will need to make sure any medical provider or facility you wish to continue seeing accepts the MAPD you are interested in. This would include eye doctors and dentists. These plans cover urgent and emergency care outside of your local area, but may offer more coverage while traveling. Check with individual plans before purchase.
Medicare restrictions may apply and are subject to change. Please check with SeniorsPlus and your insurance carrier.
Not necessarily. Most people have to pay something for Medicare.
You may be eligible for financial assistance with Medicare. Best to check with Medicare directly about the current income limits for reduced rates as they fluctuate, or contact SeniorsPlus for help.
Not necessarily. You may be eligible for financial assistance that does not count your home or properties and the State of Maine will not make a claim on your estate.
People turning 65 have a seven-month window around the month of their birthday during which they can make their choice of Medicare coverage and enroll. The initial enrollment period is three months prior to the month of their birthday, the month of their birthday, and three months after the month of their birthday. To enroll into Medicare a person must call the Social Security Administration (1-800-772-1213) or enroll at www.SSA.gov.
As a 501c3 nonprofit, SeniorsPlus does not sell insurance plans. We can help you decide which Medicare product is best for you, and then you may decide which insurer you wish to go with.
Once you are initially enrolled into Medicare you will be able to make changes to Medicare Prescription Drug plans and MAPDs from October 15–December 7 with the change taking place on January 1. Persons enrolled into Medicare Advantage Plans can change coverage from October 15–December 7 plus have an additional window to change their coverage from January 1–March 31 of every year.
Individuals determined to be disabled and eligible for Medicare will automatically start Medicare after a 24-month waiting period. The exception would be for individuals diagnosed with ALS and End Stage Renal Disease. Medicare options for disabled individuals are the same as for persons 65 and older.
SeniorsPlus welcomes your calls and emails. Consider us your community resource for answers to your questions and information regarding our services.
Providers only! If you are a provider looking to make a referral, please click here for HIPAA-compliant form.
Contact UsSeniorsPlus welcomes your calls and emails. Consider us your community resource for answers to your questions and information regarding our services.
Providers only! If you are a provider looking to make a referral, please click here for HIPAA-compliant form.
Contact Us