Seniors face choices with Medicare open enrollment

Posted at: 10/15/2012 5:05 PM | Updated at: 10/15/2012 8:02 PM
By: Beth Wurtmann

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ALBANY - Seniors at the Atria Shaker Senior Living community were staying active in a class called "Joyful Joints" on Monday afternoon.

But resident Richard Suplicki was also flexing some mental muscles now that it's open enrollment for Medicare.

"There's so much there for you to turn around and observe and try to retain all that information they're passing a long to you," he said.

Advertisements have been flooding the airwaves and mailboxes that promote less paperwork, and networks of doctors and hospitals. It's information the experts at AARP said is important to sift through.

"That's the good thing about the Med Enrollment period. They have the opportunity, if they're in the plan that's not right for them, and find the one that is," said Kristin Legere of AARP New York.

Not only do seniors face choices within traditional or Medicare advantage plans, they should also be aware of changes in the amount they may have to spend on prescription drugs.

"As a result of the Affordable Care Act that gap is shrinking somewhat. So seniors will have to pay less once they hit the coverage gap," said Robert Hinckley, senior vice president of government relations of CHPHP.

Seniors at Atria Shaker told NewsChannel 13 they're also considering which plan lets them keep the same doctors, offers the lowest co-pays and generic drugs, and of course..which one keeps overall costs at the minimum.

"Everybody is looking at the bottom line," said Suplicki, "and wondering where it's going to end. It doesn't come down it keeps going up.

Seniors and their families can compare Medicare plans at Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and www.medicare.gov.

 

 

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