Those with questions about Medicare coverage can bring those questions along with notepads to First Christian Church, 780 20th St. NE in Paris for a lunch and learn session starting at 11 a.m., on Oct. 17. There will be a free lunch provided for those 55 and older.
Two Ark-Tex Area Agency on Aging Medicare benefits counselors, Angela Glass and Vonne Wilson, will be on hand to provide assistance to Medicare beneficiaries, as well as those who might be new to Medicare coverage, to help people change their plan’s structure or learn about Medicare benefits.
The counselors plan to discuss health plans versus Medicare Part D.
The assistance will include reviewing current coverage and comparing it to other choices, including Part D prescription and Medicare Advantage plans.
The pair noted that Medicare coverage can change each year, so it is important to make annual reviews of individual coverage so that any changes can be made during the Medicare open enrollment Oct. 15 through Dec. 7
It’s important to check what prescription costs might be the next year with your current plan and if the monthly premium will be changing. If there are changes to an individual’s current plan, the counselors can help with reviewing and comparing other plan options that might help with monthly costs for 2024, they said.
The pair offered these tips for people on Medicare to do at this time:
* Even if you are happy with your current plan, check to see if it will be changing next year,
• Read the Annual Notice of Changes mailed to you by your health plan,
• Check the list of covered prescription drugs to make sure yours are covered,
• Look for plans that best meet your changing health, life and financial needs.
Also for individuals with Medicare Advantage, the pair advises them to see that their providers are still in the plan’s network and if there are any changes in co-pays.
They added that the assistance in making the changes is free to Medicare beneficiaries. Call the Ark-Tex Area Agency on Aging to make an appointment at 1-800-372-4464. They can assist in-person, over the phone or by Zoom.
There will also be vendors on hand with goodies and information. The hosts for the event are CNC/Heritage House, Paris Regional Health and Embark.
https://theparisnews.com/news/medicare-lunch-and-learn-set-for-oct-17-in-paris/article_afe9af38-6911-11ee-8ce5-931bf410f23c.html Medicare lunch and learn set for Oct. 17 in Paris | News
