Seniors get educated at Medicare update conference

Pima Council on Aging held its 23rd annual Medicare Update conference at the West Center on Thursday, and the 200-plus people who attended got educated about 2009 changes for Medicare Parts A and B, Medigap Supplements, Medicare Advantage and prescription drug benefit changes.

The speakers were Lydia Baker, PCOA Coordinator for the Medicare/Health Insurance Assistance Program and Julie Bubul, Director of Services for PCOA.

Attendees received a 221-page handbook tailored to ensure that beneficiaries have the most recent and accurate information.

The compendium details benefit plans, costs, definitions, enrollment periods, exclusions and a plethora of important information that every senior enrolled in Medicare should know about.

The conference, designed to address the new updates and menu of plans with 2009 changes urges all beneficiaries to re-examine the plan they chose for 2009 and compare plans again.

Bubul told the Green Valley News that one of the most important updates current beneficiaries and those initially enrolling in Medicare, is to be aware of new marketing regulations. She strongly advised seniors not to accept any “cold calls” from health care companies trying to sell their health plan.

“Cold calls” are not an accepted marketing practice in the industry, she said. Another change is adding that Medicare will not pay for “hospital-acquired conditions” nor will hospitals be reimbursed for “never events” — mistakes that never should have happened.

As the details of the various plans are complicated, Bubul said, “Educate yourself, talk to your physician to see if he or she accepts the health plan you’re considering — and do your research.”

For individuals with a tax return income of $85,000, or those filing jointly and earning $170,000 or less, there is no change from the 2008 monthly premium. It remains at $96.40 per person. The 2009 Medicare Part B premium is calculated based on one’s 2007 tax return.

For those with higher incomes there are four stages of increases in monthly premiums ranging from $134.90 to $308.30 per person.

Nov. 15 through Dec. 31 is the enrollment period to have coverage beginning Jan. 1, 2009. Bubul suggests enrolling at least two weeks before deadline.

This is important for both new Medicare enrollees, as well as current beneficiaries enrolling in a new drug plan. If a beneficiary enrolled at the end of December and went to their pharmacy in early January, their enrollment would likely not be activated yet. They would have to keep receipts and get reimbursed once enrollment is accepted.

“Arizona has 49 Medicare Advantage Drug Plans. This gives you an indication of how confusing this is,” Bubul said.

Once deciding on a Medicare plan, and a drug plan if chosen, beneficiaries must stay informed about deductibles, copays, out-of-network providers, PPOs, PCPs, HMOs and a glossary of explanations.

Asked if she thought the U.S. was behind other industrialized countries regarding health insurance and coverage, Bubul said, “I think the U.S. is very far behind. Our system is incredibly complicated.”

She said Carolyn Cortesi is a PCOA Benefits Outreach Worker and is in Green Valley every Monday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. to answer individual questions. Her office is at Pima County Community College on Continental Road.

For further information: www.medicare.gov or 1-800-633-4227, www.socialsecurity.gov or 1-800-772-1213, or contact Pima Council on Aging at www.pcoa.org or 546-2011 with questions.

Ellen Sussman is a freelance writer in Green Valley. Contact her at ellen2414@cox.net.