Medicare Open Enrollment Period Kicks Off Today
People with Medicare can Review their Drug and Health Plan Options through December 7, 2021 Today, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is reminding people with Medicare that Medicare Open Enrollment begins October 15, 2021, and now is the time to review their coverage options and make a choice that meets their health care needs. Medicare’s Open Enrollment period gives those who rely on Medicare the opportunity to make
Understand the Benefits Offered by the Medicare Savings Programs
MSPs help pay your Medicare costs if you have limited income and savings. There are three main programs, each with different benefits and eligibility requirements: Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB) Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary (SLMB) Qualified Individual (QI) Benefits of Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB) Pays Part A & B premiums. Eliminates cost-sharing for Medicare-covered services. Gross Monthly Income Limit: Individuals $1,094; Couples $1,472 Asset Limit: Individuals $7,970; Couples $11,960 Benefits of Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary (SLMB) Pays
Medicare Minute August 2021
Common Open Enrollment Notices You can make changes to your Medicare coverage each year during Medicare’s Open Enrollment Period, which runs October 15 to December 7. Around September, you will start to receive notices with information about any changes to your coverage for the coming year. It is important to read and understand these notices, as they can help you decide if you should make changes to your coverage during Medicare’s
Six Things to Know About Fall Open Enrollment for Medicare
Fall Open Enrollment is the time of year when you can change your Medicare coverage. You can: Join a new Medicare Advantage Plan or stand-alone prescription drug (Part D) plan Switch between Original Medicare with or without a Part D plan and Medicare Advantage Listed below are six things to keep in mind while you are choosing your Medicare coverage. Fall Open Enrollment occurs each year from October 15 through December
SMP Sees Cardiovascular Genetic Testing Used in New Fraud Trend
The following information is from a tip sheet created by the Senior Medicare Patrol. Download the tip sheet from the Senior Medicare Patrol on protecting yourself from cardiovascular genetic testing fraud. Every time there’s a medical advance, there’s a scammer waiting around the corner to exploit it. When genetic testing first became an important medical service, scammers targeted cancer screenings and medication metabolization (called pharmacogenetics). The latest growing genetic testing fraud trend
Understand Your Medicare Coverage Choices
You have options when it comes to how you get your Medicare coverage. The two main ways are Original Medicare or Medicare Advantage. When choosing which coverage is right for you, consider: COST Original Medicare: You pay a monthly Part B premium, and any copayments, coinsurances, and deductibles. There is no limit to how much you can pay out of pocket, but you can buy a Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap) policy to help.
What You Need to Know About Medicare and COVID-19
This publication created and produced by Texas Legal Services Center with financial assistance in whole or in part through a grant from the Administration for Community Living. Medicare Covers COVID-19 Testing Medicare Part B covers diagnostic testing, including testing for COVID-19 (commonly known as the “coronavirus”). Tests ordered by your doctor or other healthcare provider and done on or after February 4, 2020, will be covered by Medicare. However, your provider may
Seniors Save Money on Prescriptions
Cut Health Costs with Generic Prescription Drugs Many who are under 65 do not have Medicare, causing them to struggle sometimes with covering their prescription costs. Shopping for generic prescriptions available at local pharmacies may relieve this burden even for those who have Medicare or other insurance. This HEB Generic Medication listing includes some of the most commonly prescribed medications for older adults. Other pharmacies may also offer similar prices for
Area Agency on Aging of Central Texas Launches New Website
Connecting Older Adults to Services Online We are proud to announce that our new, updated website launched this week! While our old site was only a few years old and comprehensive in sharing our tools and resources, the format lacked some features to make it as user-friendly as it should have been. Our overall goals for the new website include making it easier to navigate, more accessible for our audience, and
Genetic Testing Fraud Targets Older Adults
Protecting Yourself and Your Medicare Coverage Article by Texas Senior Medicare Patrol Genetic testing scams are currently a widespread issue throughout the country. Scammers are offering Medicare beneficiaries cheek swabs for genetic testing to obtain their Medicare information for identity theft or fraudulent billing purposes. What is Genetic Testing Fraud? Genetic testing fraud occurs when Medicare is billed for a test or screening that was not medically necessary and/or was not ordered by a