A Guide to Medicare Open Enrollment and Annual Election Period

Health Matters is a weekly radio show sponsored by the Medicine Center Pharmacy on WHBC 1480 AM in Canton, Ohio. This episode pharmacists Brad White and Paul White discuss Medicare Open Enrollment Period with Mike Novelli, Vice President of Aultcare and Denise Fogle, PrimeTime Sales Representative with PrimeTime Health Plan.

It is the annual open enrollment period from October 15 to December 7.  One recent study shows that 9 out of 10 Medicare patients are NOT in the plan best suited for their needs.   It’s not surprising, because, frankly, what could be more confusing than selecting the best Medicare plan for you?  If you find Medicare confusing or are concerned that you aren’t in the best Medicare plan, our show today is dedicated to you.  We want to help you be that 1 in 10 patients who found the best plan to meet their needs.  Please join us today as we learn about Medicare Plans during Open Enrollment.

Some of the topics covered in this program:

1. What is AEP when it comes to Medicare plans?

2. What type of changes do beneficiaries make during AEP?

3. What happens if someone would miss the timeframe to change during AEP?

4. What is the benefit of having an Advantage plan over Original Medicare A & B?

5. What happens if my doctor is not in the network of the Advantage plan?

6. What happens if I’m on an Advantage Plan and go on vacation; am I covered?

7. What if I have to go into the hospital while out of network? Is that covered?

8. Can you explain a formulary and what it means to find your medication on a formulary?

9. The term donut hole relates to Medicare Part D Coverage. Can you explain what the donut hole is and if everyone falls into it?

10. What are some other benefits on PrimeTime Health Plan HMO-POS that you don’t get with original Medicare?

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Thanks for listening today! We’d like to remind our listeners, if you suspect you have a medical issue, please contact your healthcare provider. Thanks to our sponsors Studio Arts & Glass . As always, we thank our listeners for joining us on Health Matters with the Medicine Center Pharmacy. Have a healthy week and we’ll see you again next Friday right here on News Talk 1480 WHBC.