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CNY Medicare Beneficiaries Have Just a Few Days to Change Coverage

UnitedHealthCare

Central New Yorkers who are on Medicare need to make any changes in their plans by the end of open enrollment, December 7th.  Officials with UnitedHealthCare Medical and Retirement in Syracuse want to make sure people aren't confused about enrolling through the Health Care Exchanges that are part of the Affordable Care Act.

UnitedHealthCarecites the Medicare Made Clear Index from a survey this summer that shows more than a third incorrectly believe they can make changes to their Medicare  plans through the exchanges.  

Regional Vice President Jennifer Cohen-Smith informs people they can't, even though some uninsured people signing up through the exchanges find out their eligible for Medicare.

Cohen-Smith urges anyone who hasn't used open enrollment to review their Medicare plan and consider changes to do so by Saturday.  She suggests considering the following:

  • What health changes have occurred in your life to make sure your plan covers necessary treatments.
  • Prescription drugs you use regularly, to make sure they're covered.
  • Changes that might have occurred in your existing Medicare plan to see if it still covers your needs.

Cohen-Smith emphasizes that Medicare is not a one-size-fits-all coverage.  The survey found 60% of people have never compared plans and shopped for the best fit.  Cohen-Smith points out open enrollment is the time to do that

Chris Bolt, Ed.D. has proudly been covering the Central New York community and mentoring students for more than 30 years. His career in public media started as a student volunteer, then as a reporter/producer. He has been the news director for WAER since 1995. Dedicated to keeping local news coverage alive, Chris also has a passion for education, having trained, mentored and provided a platform for growth to more than a thousand students. Career highlights include having work appear on NPR, CBS, ABC and other news networks, winning numerous local and state journalism awards.