Research recommended when making Medicare decisions
Seniors should do their research when signing up for Medicare. With multiple options to keep it affordable and useful, finding a balance is important. Online resources and insurance professionals can assist with the research.
COURTESY PHOTO/COTTONBRO/PEXELS
MOSES LAKE — Rolling up on retirement - or even just rolling up on 65 - brings with it certain rituals, among them deciding what to do about Medicare.
Medicare, of course, is health insurance for people 65 years of age and older, although it can be available to people younger than 65 if they meet qualifying criteria.
“When you apply for retirement or disability benefits from Social Security (or the Railroad Retirement Board) it also serves as your application for Medicare,” according to information on the Medicare website. “Once you get approved for Social Security or Railroad Retirement Board benefits, you’ll automatically get Part A coverage, without having to pay a premium for it, once you’re eligible for Medicare.”
Medicare is made up of different types of coverage, designated by a letter. Part A is hospital insurance; Part B is health insurance. Part D helps cover the cost of prescription drugs, and then there’s Medicare Advantage, also known as Part C.
Medicare Advantage is an insurance plan from a private company, approved by Medicare, that’s an alternative to original Medicare. Medicare Advantage plans also can provide coverage for additional benefits not covered by the original Medicare plan, such as dental and vision care, according to the Medicare website.
Larry Vander Giessen, an independent insurance agent in Quincy, said people could sign up through the Medicare website, www.medicare.gov, but many prefer to consult an expert.
“A lot of people like to go through their (insurance) agents because they get some help,” Vander Giessen said. “It could get quite confusing,”
David Chandler, co-owner of Chandler Insurance Solutions in Moses Lake, said his customers say they get a lot of advertising and with it conflicting information, about Medicare.
“My advice would be to find a local agent, or a trusted agent, somebody that’s real, that they know,” he said.
“It’s important to know that if you’re going on Medicare, you get it right,” Chandler said.
Vander Giessen and Chandler said Medicare Advantage plans are different, depending on the area where the patient lives. A plan advertised on Spokane or Seattle television might not be available in the same form in Grant or Adams counties.
People can search for plans available in their area by zip code, Vander Giessen said. And when checking on the available Medicare Advantage plans, people also should check with their physician to see if the practice accepts Medicare Advantage, he said.
When people are choosing a plan they should think about the future, and what they’re planning to do in retirement. Vander Giessen cited plans to spend the winters down south as one example.
“It all depends on what their circumstances are,” he said.
Regardless of which option people choose, it’s important to apply during the proper enrollment period. For most people that’s three months before their 65th birthday, the month of their birthday and three months after their birthday, Chandler said. The exception is people who are still working and getting health insurance through their employer and are working for a business with more than 20 employees. That exemption also applies to people who are getting health insurance through a spouse whose job meets the criteria.
The rules may be different for people who are working for a business with less than 20 employees, even if they’re getting health insurance through work.
Failure to hit the window has consequences, and they can get expensive. People who don’t apply during the window pay higher premiums.
“There are lifelong penalties if you’re not on it when you should’ve been,” Chandler said.
Both Chandler and Vander Giessen recommended periodic reviews of Medicare plans once the recipient has signed up.
“Things change. Every year things are changing,” Chandler said.
Cheryl Schweizer may be reached at cschweizer@columbiabasinherald.com.
Need a hand?
Below is a listing of select community resources to assist seniors and their families who may be experiencing difficulties.
HEALTH INSURANCE - MEDICARE
Aging & Adult Care of Central Washington
1336 S. Pioneer Way, No. 103, Moses Lake
509-766-2568
www.aaccw.org
Community Health First
509-741-0776
HEARING ASSISTANCE
Inland Hearing Aids
827 S. Colonial Ave., Moses Lake
509-765-4467
National Association of the Deaf
1-800-214-3323
HEATING ASSISTANCE AND WEATHERIZATION
OIC of Washington
509-765-9206
www.yvoic.org
PUBLIC HEALTH
Grant County Health District
Ephrata
509-754-6060
Moses Lake
509-766-7960
After Hours
509-762-1160
RESPITE CARE
Aging & Adult Care of Central Washington
1336 S. Pioneer Way, No. 103
509-766-2568
www.aaccw.org
Assured Home Health & Hospice
1417 S. Pioneer Way, Moses Lake
509-766-2580
SENIOR CENTERS & MEAL SITES
Coulee City Senior Center
520 W Douglas St in Coulee City
509-632-8701
Ephrata Senior Center
124 C St NW, Ephrata
509-754-2382
www.ephrataseniorcenter.org
Grand Coulee Senior Center
203 Main St., Grand Coulee
509-633-2321
Lind Senior Center
117 N I St, Lind
509-677-3620
Moses Lake Senior Center
608 E 3rd Ave, Moses Lake
509-765-7809
www.moseslakeseniorcenter.org
Othello Senior Center
755 N 7th Ave, Othello
509-488-5700
Quincy Senior Center
522 F St SE, Quincy
509-787-3231
H.E. Gritman Senior Center
118 W. Main Ave., Ritzville
509-659-1921
www.facebook.com/HEGritmanSeniorCenter
Royal Slope Seniors
509-346-9482
Soap Lake Senior Center
121 Second Ave. SE, Soap Lake
509-246-1913
Warden Senior Center
115 N Oak Ave, Warden
509-349-2043
Washtucna Senior Center
287 S. Main St., Washtucna
509-646-3435
washtucnahistory.org
SENIOR ABUSE (ABUSE OF ELDERS)
Report Elderly Abuse Statewide
1-866-363-4276
SERVICES & GENERAL INFORMATION
Department of Social & Health Services
1-877-980-9220
Medicare Information
1-800-633-4227
Medicare Fraud
1-800-447-8477
Mental Health Ombuds Helpline
1-800-346-4529
OIC Utility Bill Assistance
509-765-9206
Retired Senior Volunteer Program, Moses Lake
1-855-853-7787
Statewide Health Insurance Benefits Advisors Hotline
1-888-452-0731
Volunteer Chore Services, Adams County
509-647-5351
Washington State Health Plan Finder
1-855-932-4633