Area Agency on Aging to Assist with Benefits Counseling for Medicare Beneficiaries Through Open Enrollment Offers Tips to Avoid Medicare Fraud

By Editor | October 13, 2022 |

Kilgore, October 13, 2022: People with Medicare have more choices and options for their Medicare coverage in 2023. Plan costs and covered benefits have changed, so the Area Agency on Aging of East Texas (AAA) encourages people with Medicare to look at their coverage choices and decide the options that best fits their health needs. Open Enrollment for 2023 Medicare health and drug plans begin on October 15, 2022, and ends December 7, 2022, giving individuals a chance to modify their plans.

The changes Medicare recipients can make during Open Enrollment include

Joining a new Medicare Advantage Plan or Part D prescription drug plan
Switching from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage Plan
Switching from a Medicare Advantage Plan to Original Medicare (with or without a Part D plan)

Beneficiaries should always shop for a new drug plan, and Medicare Advantage plan each year to ensure they are getting the best coverage for the best price to suit their needs. Plans can be viewed and compared at www.medicare.gov.

“I often hear people say, ‘I’m really happy with my current Medicare prescription plan so I don’t need to call a Benefits Counselor or look at making any changes.’ What you might not realize is the price of your current plan can change every year,” said AAA Director Colleen Halliburton. “If you do not go through the plan review process, you may be surprised on January 1st with higher costs, and those costs will be locked in for another year.”

The AAA is also known as the State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) and is available to compare your current coverage with available options and assist you with enrollment at no cost. Speak to a qualified Benefits Counselor by calling the Area Agency on Aging at 1-800-442-8845. You may set up an appointment and be advised over the phone, by virtual meeting, or in person.

Local Scheduled Presentations

Our Certified Benefits Counselors have an event scheduled for several counties in the 14-county ETCOG region. These counties include Anderson, Henderson, Marion, Rains, and Wood. A list of scheduled presentations with times and locations can be viewed at www.easttexasaaa.org/benefits-counseling. These presentations require an appointment prior to arrival. To reserve your spot, call the Area Agency on Aging at 1-800-442-8845.

Be on alert for these Medicare Open Enrollment scams

Medicare or a health plan calls and wants to send you a new health card for $299.
You receive a call about a refund from last year’s premiums or your drug plan cost.
An agent tries to sign you up for a plan that you don’t need, isn’t right for you, or doesn’t even exist.
Watch out for fake RX cards offering significant discounts with little or no benefits.
You receive a call offering significant discounts on a new health insurance plan.

Tips on how to stop fraud during Open Enrollment

Medicare will never call or visit. Medicare will only send information via postal mail service.
Guard your Medicare card and number like a credit card.
Don’t give out your Medicare number except to your doctor or other providers.
Don’t let someone push you into making a fast decision.
If you receive a call, especially from a number you do not recognize or anyone requesting personal information, hang up immediately.
Know your health care options. Get help from your family, the Medicare website, or your local State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP).
No health care plan is allowed to cold call.

For questions about fraud or to report a scam, please contact the Senior Medicare Patrol at 1-888-341-6187.

Medicare Open Enrollment Flyer

About the Area Agency on Aging of East Texas

The Area Agency on Aging of East Texas is designated by the Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services to coordinate services for persons in East Texas who are 60 or older, with particular attention to low-income minority older individuals, older individuals with limited English proficiency, and older individuals residing in rural areas. Programs include, but are not limited to, Information, Referral and Assistance, Benefits Counseling/ Legal Assistance, Nursing home Ombudsman, Care Coordination, Caregiver Support Program, and transportation provided by GoBus. The Area Agency on Aging provides Nutrition programs delivering hot, nutritious meals to eligible homebound seniors and providing congregate meals at local senior centers. The Area Agency on Aging is a program of ETCOG serving its 14-county region. www.easttexasaaa.org

About ETCOG

The East Texas Council of Governments (ETCOG) is a voluntary association of counties, cities, school districts and special districts within the fourteen-county East Texas region. ETCOG assists local governments in planning for common needs, cooperating for mutual benefit and coordinating for sound regional development. Established in 1970, ETCOG, either directly, or through its contractors, provides programs and services for East Texas seniors, employers, and job seekers. ETCOG and its contractors also build the 9-1-1 emergency call delivery system, provide peace officer training and homeland security planning services; and deliver rural transportation services, business finance programs, and environmental grant funding for the region. www.etcog.org