How do I prepare for Medicare Open Enrollment? My Checklist.

1.  Open Enrollment is from October 15th to Dec 7th, 2017

2.  You have a couple of options to get Original Medicare

           You can choose Original Medicare by itself with an option to add Part D (Prescription Drug Coverage)  If you begin to collect benefits from Social Security you will automatically get Part A (Hospital     Insurance) and Part B (Medical Insurance)  There is a charge for Part B.

           OR

           You can choose a Medicare Advantage (Part C) plan with includes Original Medicare and may also include presciption drug coverage and an HMO or PPO plan.  Usually you must stay in the network of doctors.

3.  Original Medicare doesn’t cover all of your cost.  Generally you can be left covering 20% of physician fees that are not covered by your stand alone medicare.  Medicare Advantage covers the costs where Medicare leaves off.  These Part C plans must follow the rules set my Medicare but they often dramatically reduce the out of pocket costs to the senior and make them more budget manageable.  

Being 65 or older can provide some great benefits.  You just want to plan ahead and pick the best plan for you.  Don’t go alone at this, there is help.  Contact one of our specialists at The Ascension Group to schedule a consultation today.  Call us at (214) 277-9497.  Don’t wait until the last minute as these slots fill up fast.