SENIOR INSIGHTS
www.hgi-solutions.com/medicare
From the Desk of Maria Pearson
We are approaching a very busy time of year at HGI Senior Health Solutions! October 15th through December 7th is the Medicare Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) This is the only time of year for people who are already on Medicare to pick up a Prescription Drug Plan or Advantage Plan if they do not have one or to make changes – including changing from one Drug Plan to a new Drug Plan or changing from one Advantage Plan to a new Advantage Plan.
A person on a Medicare Advantage Plan also has another opportunity to
(You will need to accept the invitation sent to you after your first text to us. This will allow us to be HIPAA compliant and to continue text communication with you.)
Note: Maria’s personal cell phone number cannot be used for Medicare calls or texts because it is not HIPAA compliant. Please use one of the contact methods above.
MARIA - MARLYN - WENDY
HGI Senior Health Solutions mailed AEP letters and reply forms to all clients at the end of August If you would like a review of your Drug Plan or Advantage Plan, the reply form must be completed and returned to us
If you already returned your reply form, thank you! We will start contacting those who returned forms starting in mid-October If you have not returned your reply form but want a Plan review, your form must be completed and sent by November 15, 2024 Please review the helpful tips listed on the AEP reply form to ensure complete information is provided – for example, include full names of medications and exact dosages along with the quantity picked up from the pharmacy. If you take a Generic medication, provide the Generic name. If you take a Brand medication, provide the Brand name. If you are happy with your plan and do not want to make any change, you do not need to do anything – the plan will automatically renew. (Make sure you look at the carrier's ANOC)
Not all plans have annual enrollment periods – these include Medicare Supplement Plans and individual dental and vision plans If you are currently enrolled in one of these plans, they will automatically continue into the next year
If you want to enroll in a dental or vision plan for the first time, we are happy to assist during January through September Dental and vision enrollment can take place at any time We suggest that you ask your dentist if they contract with any dental plans if you are seriously considering one Ask specifically if they contract with any carriers, not if they will file your claim
AEP Reviews
Fun Fact!
Did you know we’ve been in our West Lafayette office for over a year? Yep, we made the move from downtown Lafayette last September and have been calling West Lafayette our home ever since! We also have three other locations – one at 3905 Vincennes Road, Suite 505 in Indianapolis, and other offices in Troy and Evansville
Our Office
1020 Gemini Lane, Suite 100 West Lafayette, IN 47906
Don’t forget to return your AEP reply form if you want help with reviewing your Prescription Drug Plan or Advantage Plan We are not setting appointments for in-person meetings until we have your AEP reply form, and it looks like you will need to make
a major change In-person meetings are reserved for complex situations
What Can You Do During AEP?
Enroll in a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan for the first time
Switch from one Prescription Drug Plan to another
Enroll in a Medicare Advantage Plan for the first time
Switch from one Advantage Plan to another
Once the form is returned, our review can begin If we find you are in the best plan for next year, we will either call or email to let you know
If you just need to switch to another Drug Plan and you are not affected by high-cost brand name medicines, we will simply send you a cost analysis and prepare an application that will be mailed to you for signature
Medicare Part D
Starting in 2025, the Medicare Part D prescription drug benefit will see the following changes.
There will be three drug phases: Deductible, Initial Coverage, and Catastrophic Coverage. The Coverage Gap is removed. The annual out-of-pocket maximum amount is capped at $2,000. A Medicare Prescription Payment Plan is introduced offering enrollees the option to pay out-of-pocket prescription drug costs in the form of monthly installment payments instead of all at once at the pharmacy.