Hill Financial Solutions will be sponsoring a free seminar called Medicare Made Clear on November 15 and November 30. The seminars start at 6:00 p.m. and will be located on the third-floor meeting room of the Adams County Library on 147 Baltimore St, Gettysburg.
This is an educational seminar that helps explain the basics of Medicare as well as the major questions that people often have about Medicare and the various pathways to fill in the coverage gaps that come with original Medicare. Among the questions answered will be:
-How to apply for Medicare?
-Who qualifies for it?
-What does original Medicare cover?
-Can I work while receiving Medicare? and
-How can I get additional coverage?
Now is a good time to learn more about Medicare because we are currently in the annual enrollment period which runs through December 7th. It is the time when companies unveil their new plans and when all Medicare recipients can make changes to their plans. This time of year is a good time to review your coverage and consider whether a change would be helpful to you.
The insurance companies with Medicare Advantage plans make changes to their plans to be more competitive. They may reduce monthly premiums, or change copays for primary care physicians, specialists, and hospitals. They may reduce deductibles for drug coverage or add ancillary benefits such as dental, vision, and hearing. They may reduce the maximum medical out of pocket expenses you would pay in a year in case of catastrophic illness. They may add a gym membership, a Fitbit, a transportation benefit or even offer delivered meals after certain procedures. While all plans must meet the Center for Medicare’s strict minimum standards, the relatively free market is creating the competition that leads to better benefits for their plan members.
While the competition is helping to make better plans for Medicare beneficiaries, sometimes these changes can be detrimental for an individual while being an improvement overall for most plan members. For example, your primary care physician or specialist may not stay in their network. Sometimes a company can offer several plans in your area, but your doctor may only be in one of them. While more doctors may be in the network, if your doctor left the plan, you would likely be disappointed. For another example, an important medication may be covered one year but may be either not covered or much more expensive the next year.
If you have a Medicare Advantage Plan, it certainly warrants a second look to see whether you are still getting the best plan for your situation.
A licensed agent can help do this and save you quite a bit of time and energy while simplifying the Medicare review process. The agent will help you choose a plan that is right for you.
If you cannot attend one of the two seminars, we are happy to set up a virtual or in-person consultation. There is no fee for the consultation or any requirement to make any changes to your current plan.
If interested, please give us a call at 717-899-1841 or send an email to jscotthill@hillfinancialsolutions.com
As a Certified Financial Planner™ professional, and a trained anthropologist, I understand that finances are an important part of a happy and fulfilling life. Originally from Delaware, I now live in Gettysburg with my family and enjoy cooking, gardening, playing music, talking, and a variety of outdoor activities.
I share financial advice with the Adams County community through my business, Hill Financial Solutions.