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Medicare Advantage Plans Open Enrollment Ends March 31
PASSAGES’ Health Insurance Counseling & Advocacy Program (HICAP) wants to alert seniors and adults with disabilities who have Medicare that the Open Enrollment Period (OEP) for Medicare health plans known as Medicare Advantage has just begun and will end March 31st.
What this means to people with Medicare is that they can make one more selection on how their health care costs are paid, such as changing to or from a Medicare Advantage plan, also known as Medicare Part C. Medicare Advantage plans such as Preferred Provider Organizations (PPO) or Private Fee for Service Plans (PFFS) are offered in this area by several companies, and representatives are using a variety of marketing techniques that range from those allowed by Medicare to totally questionable and suspicious, such as phone solicitation sounding like they are from Medicare.
People with Medicare should be warned that Medicare or the Federal government does not go to people’s homes. These calls are made by telemarketing agencies that are hired by insurance agents or the companies they represent. Changing how one’s health care is covered could have severe consequences, and seniors in particular should not be swayed by aggressive promotions, without thorough research.
If anyone with Medicare wishes to inquire about options for their health care coverage, they should contact PASSAGES HICAP at 800-434-0222 and ask for a free appointment with a counselor or fact sheets that explain options available. HICAP counselors are registered with the California Department of Aging, and have no connection with the insurance industry.
For more information about Medicare Advantage marketing misconduct and corrective action plans go to http://www.cahealthadvocates.org/advocacy/2007/07.html.
PASSAGES helps older adults and family caregivers with important services to empower them to remain confident in their ability to sustain and enjoy independent lives. For more information about available services call 1-800-822-0109 or go to www.passagescenter.org.
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