Medicare Open Enrollment

It's that time of year - pumpkin spice lattes, chilly mornings, and Medicare sign enrollment! This year, Medicare's Open Enrollment Period takes place from October. 15, 2023, through December. 7, 2023. Medicare coverage changes go into effect on January 1, 2024.

• There are so many plans and options; how do I decide? 
• Does it cost money to sign up?
• Who can I trust if I need someone to walk me through my options?

 
Aging Resources of Douglas County almost always defer to the Denver Regional Council of Governernment's SHIP Program to answer these questions and to get advice.  Site here.
 
What is SHIP? It stands for the State Health Insurance Assistance Program. SHIP representatives do not represent any one insurance plan but rather provide trusted advisers who give non-biased assistance to help you choose the best plan for your needs. 
 
SHIP also runs the Senior Medicare Patrol, a healthcare fraud reporting program. SHIP provides Medicare beneficiaries with objective information, counseling, and enrollment assistance. SHIP counselors can speak to individuals and groups about Medicare benefits, coverage rules, written notices, forms, appeal rights, procedures, and more. They also provide free, unbiased, one-on-one insurance counseling and assistance to Medicare beneficiaries, their families, friends, and caregivers. 
 
Counselors assist people in obtaining coverage through options that include the original Medicare program, Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans, and Medicare Prescription Drug (Part D) plans. They can help people understand Medicare Supplemental (Medigap) insurance policies and explain how these and other insurance options work with Medicare.
 
The Senior Medicare Patrol program helps prevent Medicare fraud by allowing beneficiaries to protect, detect, and report suspected abuse of the program. If you receive bills for services you did not receive, see claims on your quarterly Medicare Summary Notice for visits you didn't make, or if you receive phone calls or visits from people offering to get you things free of charge, call 303-480-6835 and the DRCOG staff will assist you.

---

Author

Karie Erickson - Founder/CEO Aging Resources of Douglas County