By Denny Mekus
There’s something to be said about being the oldest sibling. The “oldest-sibling” stereotypes have actually been pretty accurate in my life: being bossy, taking on a lot of responsibility, being fiercely loyal and protective, and using (on repeat!) my favorite mantra…“You can’t treat my siblings like that, only I can treat my siblings like that!”
In short, being the oldest sibling means having the life of a trailblazer, and it’s important to ask for help, especially when we feel forced to make important decisions by ourselves. Such is the case when turning 65 and enrolling into Medicare. My family has shared their own stories of feeling overwhelmed and pressured when being inundated with mail advertisements and phone calls claiming the “only way” they could get enrolled was “by doing so that day, with that specific company.” At Health Alliance™, we want you to know that should never be the case.
Our communities are filled with helpful resources for those who are eligible for Medicare, and we encourage everyone to reach out to your local SHIP (Senior Health Insurance Program) offices, regional Agencies on Aging and local centers for older adults. They all work hard to identify any annual changes to Medicare, and they’re there to provide the best information possible. From October 15 to December 7 every year, those who are eligible for Medicare are able to pick the Medicare plan they’d like for the upcoming year. Medicare Advantage plans – a popular option – are offered by many insurance companies, including us at Health Alliance.
I am grateful to be part of an amazing team that fosters training and truly encourages our communities to be as informed as possible about their Medicare options by providing unmatched resources and direct communication. For everyone who’s eligible for Medicare – and especially all those oldest siblings like myself – know that there’s plenty of help out there and now’s the time to look for it. Please feel free to reach out anytime – it’s our job, and we’re always happy to help!
Denny Mekus is a community and broker liaison at Health Alliance. He’s a husband, a father of twins, an avid golfer and a performing musician who lives in the Quad Cities.
Like this article? Feel free to respond to Outreach@HealthAlliance.org. Thanks for reading!