FRANKLIN COUNTY – State Rep. Rich Irvin (R-Franklin/Huntington) is reminding older adults the annual Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period runs now through March 31. During this time, beneficiaries who currently have a Medicare Advantage plan can switch to a different plan or to original Medicare.
Changes to their enrollment will take effect on the first of the month following the month in which they enroll, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Aging.
Pennsylvania Medicare Education and Decision Insight – the Commonwealth’s Medicare counseling program – is available through the 52 local Area Agencies on Aging to help beneficiaries with Medicare questions. There, older adults can receive unbiased, no-cost Medicare assistance from trained counselors who can walk them through their options to assist in making informed health insurance decisions.
Medicare Advantage is a Medicare-approved plan from a private company that offers an alternative to original Medicare for health and drug coverage. These “bundled” plans include Part A Hospital Insurance, Part B Medical Insurance and usually Part D Drug Coverage.
The state counselors do not sell Medicare insurance products, nor do they endorse any insurance company, product or agent. Counselors will not recommend policies, companies or insurance agents but will provide free, confidential and unbiased personalized assistance.
Readers may contact their local Area Agency on Aging to schedule a personalized counseling session. For more information, call the toll-free PA MEDI Helpline at 1-800-783-7067 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
