By Jessica Arroyo
There’s a lot of publicity to remind folks to check their smoke detector batteries when daylight saving time is over. It makes sense to tie that chore to something that occurs on a regular basis (why not Valentine’s Day?), but I usually still forget to do it.
It seems there are always other more pressing duties on the to-do list, like finishing up in the yard, switching out that season’s clothes or putting up all of our summer gadgets.
Another reminder comes along this time of year. Medicare-eligible individuals’ mailboxes are bombarded with mail about the Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) for Medicare plans. While it can be annoying and overwhelming, it’s incredibly important for everyone on Medicare to review their healthcare coverage every year to see if their current plan still meets their needs. The days of one-size-fits-all coverage are over.
Your unique situation may indicate the need for different coverage than what you currently have. Have you started traveling more? Less? Did your medication needs change, including new prescriptions or treatments for a chronic illness? Did your primary care provider retire or relocate, or are you seeing new specialists or visiting new hospitals or clinics often? Did your current plan change, and does it still suit your needs? AEP is the time to explore your options.
We know you’re busy and that Medicare can be confusing, so let’s look at a few helpful resources.
A great one is Medicare.gov. This site is easy to navigate and packed with information. You can check each Medicare plan’s Star Ratings while you’re at it. Another great resource is your state’s Department on Aging. They offer impartial counseling services for people who are eligible for Medicare. Also, your local Area Agency on Aging is a gold mine. Find one near you at dshs.wa.gov/altsa/resources. Finally, HealthAlliance.org/Medicare is easy to navigate and gives a nice overview of the options we offer in your county.
The Medicare Annual Enrollment Period for 2022 (to enroll in 2023 plans) is October 15 through December 7, 2022. The sooner you review your needs and gather information, the better equipped you’ll be to make an informed choice. And when you’re done, you can move on to something important, like cleaning out the junk drawer in the kitchen (like that’s going to happen!).
Jessica Arroyo – Wenatchee, WA – Jessica Arroyo is a community liaison for Health Alliance NorthwestTM, serving Chelan, Douglas, Grant and Okanogan counties in Washington. Born and raised in the Wenatchee Valley. During her time off, she enjoys spending time with her husband and her two very busy kids.
Like this article? Feel free to respond to Outreach@HealthAlliance.org. Thanks for reading!