It’s that time of year
again! Medicare Fall Open Enrollment begins soon. If you or family members are
considering making changes in 2021, begin fact-finding now. The Medicare Rights
Center has an interactive and informative website with numerous resources
including a Medicare Plan Finder link, guides, toolkits, and roadmap decision
tools. The link is at the end of this posting.
I am already getting calls
from seniors about which Medicare plan to choose. Unfortunately, I cannot help
with that decision because that is not my specialization. However, the factors
for making a sound decision include age, health status, and income. You must
choose the program best suited for your individual needs. For example, a 70-year-old
in excellent health with no chronic conditions may need a different plan than
an 85-year old with numerous chronic ailments. Senior adults who reach the age
of 65 and remain employed may not need Medicare A if their employer agrees they
can stay on the company health plan. It is up to the employer, however.
About those Medicare Advantage
ads. I am particularly annoyed with them portraying affluent older couples
frolicking and bragging about their Medicare plans. The advertisements are misleading,
not inclusive, and not ethnically diverse. I have never seen a gay couple,
obese individuals, disabled older adults, or those with lower incomes in any of
those ads. As a gerontologist, I know that it is just advertising and companies
are trying to sell their products. However, I am also mindful of how ageism
permeates our society and how it harms older people. The article from Forbes
published in February 2020 illuminates the half-truths of Medicare Advantage
commercials.
Then, there are the Medicare
phone calls. Don’t talk, just hang up. They are usually SPAM calls and Medicare
never calls individuals. Block and then delete the call.
If you want to make a
sound decision, begin researching early and access this link below to the
Medicare Rights Center. Their services are FREE!
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