2019 Medicare Update

[Rerun]

I received an information card in Today's mail from Medicare. 
Medicare Recipients New Coverage Benefits
Our records indicate they you may be eligible for additional benefits such as:
Dental, Vision, Hearing
Over the Counter Benefits
Transportation
Prescription Coverage
Doctor and Hospital Coverage
and much More

To find out if you are eligible to receive these benefits in your Medicare Health Plan, return this postage paid reply card today.

I've been on Medicare for years.  Wonder what this is about.  I am interested in the Transportation part.

Anyone else get this?

[Michael Murphy]

Medicare is allowing insurance companies to offer more services on a Medicare plus package.  I have dental in a Aetna hmo Medicare package, they have been allowed to offer this for the last 2 years for a trial.  Obviously it is being made generally available.

[Shaks24]

Kind of sounds like a Medicare Advantage Plan. I know in 2021 all dialysis patients will be allowed to sign up for Medicare Advantage. Until then you can only join Medicare Advantage plans if you were already on one when you started dialysis or if there is an ESRD SNP (Special Needs Plan) that is in your area. Are you on original Medicare Rerun? Or are you already on an Advantage plan?

[rcjordan]

This plan to add broad non-medical benefits to Medicare Advantage is a big deal. Here’s why | PBS NewsHour
https://www.pbs.org/newshour/economy/making-sense/column-these-9-new-medicare-advantage-benefits-are-a-big-deal-heres-why

[rcjordan]

<added>

But I had previously read that there are concerns with trading in Medicare.

"So Medicare Advantage plans may appear cheaper than standard Medicare combined with Part D and a supplemental Medigap policy — though with co-pays, deductibles and drug formularies, they may not be.

“The key trade-off is that they generally operate with a restricted network of providers,” Dr. Neuman said. Most involve health maintenance or preferred provider organizations."

Medicare Advantage Is About to Change. Here’s What You Should Know. - The New York Times
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/20/health/medicare-advantage-benefits.html

The gov has greased the rails to encourage you to go MA, the switch is easy.  But I've read that going back to traditional Medicare from an MA is very, very hard.

[Rerun]

My vision is low so it is a struggle to read all that crap.  I should be able to watch that PBS News Hour but I didn't see any way to do that.  Help.....

And yes I started on Medicare at age 25 then got a transplant and got off it.  Then started again at age 44 now I'm 57.  Still on Original Medicare and I have a secondary insurance Blue Cross Blue Shield Federal.

[Charlie B53]

This may be why I am STILL getting all those Insurance Calls.    I thought they would end once Open Enrollment ended.    NO!!!!!!


Social Security must give up lists as 6 months prior to my 65trh B-Day I started getting those calls for all the Medicare Insurance Plans.  Seems my SSD will be switched to straight SS.   I don't think that changes Medicare Part A,, or B if I would have taken that long ago when I first became eligible.  I passsed as I am a Service-Connected Disabled Vet and have been going to the VA since 75 so I really don't need ANY type of Insurance.

All these CALLS Drive me Nuttier than I already am.