The New York State Office for the Aging (NYSOFA) is reminding older New Yorkers that free, unbiased counseling is available to help Medicare beneficiaries navigate their options during the Medicare open enrollment period, running from October 15 through December 7.
Open enrollment is the time when beneficiaries can make changes to their health plans, prescription drug coverage, or other Medicare options, with changes taking effect January 1.
NYSOFA’s Health Insurance Information, Counseling and Assistance Program (HIICAP) helps more than 220,000 New Yorkers each year understand their Medicare choices. Counselors also assist with programs that can reduce out-of-pocket costs, including co-payments, premiums, and deductibles.
This free, confidential, and objective assistance is offered locally by trained HIICAP counselors. For help, call the HIICAP helpline at 1-800-701-0501, or visit NYSOFA’s website for more information.
HIICAP in Detail
During open enrollment, or at any time of the year, HIICAP can help you:
- Understand the Medicare prescription drug benefit (Medicare Part D) and how to select the best plan.
- Understand low-income subsidy programs, including Extra Help and Medicare Savings Programs.
- Find ways to pay for your medications or medical equipment.
- Understand and apply for the Elderly Pharmaceutical Insurance Coverage (EPIC) program.
- Choose between original Medicare and Medicare Advantage plans.
- Understand Medicare rules and your medical bills.
- Report possible Medicare fraud or abuse.
- Provide information on how to appeal a decision by Medicare, your managed care provider, or other health insurance company.
- Discover ways to fill in Medicare’s gaps.
- Learn how to file a Medicare or Medigap complaint.
- Learn about Medicare-covered prevention and screenings.
Protecting Yourself
Medicare experts report a higher risk of potential fraud during the open-enrollment period as well as potentially misleading marketing. Medicare has rules about how plans can and cannot communicate with you to market their insurance products. The Medicare Rights Center offers the following warnings:
- Plans are allowed to send you mail. However, unless you are currently enrolled in the company’s plan, they are not allowed to call, email, visit your home, or approach you in public to market their plan without your permission.
- Beware of people who pressure you about making plan changes, claim to be representing Medicare, or attempt to alarm you about losing benefits unless you enroll in a particular plan.
- Beneficiaries who believe they are a victim of fraud or identity theft should contact Medicare. More information is available at medicare.gov.
NYSOFA and Medicare also remind older adults to treat their Medicare number as they do their Social Security number and credit card information. People with Medicare should never give their personal information to anyone arriving at their home uninvited or making unsolicited phone calls selling Medicare-related products or services. If someone calls and asks for a recipient’s Medicare number or other personal information, hang up and call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227).
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