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Ms. Norton: The time now is 8:42 this Sunday morning. Medicare's annual
enrollment period ends earlier this year than ever before. Joining us live in our
studio to tell us more, Mike Putiak from Peoples Health to tell us more about
navigating through these changes. Good morning to you.
Mr. Putiak: Good morning.
Ms. Norton: Thanks for stopping by. What should baby boomers know about this?
Mr. Putiak: Well, anyone who is Medicare eligible needs to know that whereas for
the past few years the enrollment period has always ended the last day of the year,
December 31st, this year it's December 7th. We've seen that there's a lot of folks
that are out there that are approaching the annual enrollment period with the
confidence that they still have a lot of time left, and they really don't. December
7th is the new cutoff date to make your selection.
Ms. Norton: So time is winding down.
Mr. Putiak: It absolutely is. We've seen that there are a number of people also
that are, in addition to waiting for December 31st, are thinking with all the
changes that are occurring with healthcare reform, I want to wait and see
what happens with Medicare. And, of course, there's no time in which Medicare
is going to finally be done, just like everything else. So, the annual enrollment
period you make your selection now, you need to make it by December 7th. It will be
effective January 1st, and if you don't like the option that you've selected, you can
make another selection the following year.
Ms. Norton: What's in store for original Medicare versus Medicare Advantage
Plans?
Mr. Putiak: There have been a number of changes to original Medicare as well. One
of the most notable changes is people with higher incomes will have to pay a
higher share for their portion of premium. As we've seen with most things, costs are
going up and those share of costs will go up for all Medicare beneficiaries.
Ms. Norton: And Medicare Advantage Plans?
Mr. Putiak: Medicare Advantage plans are still competitive. So, people will generally
find a better value, they will pay less out of their pocket with a Medicare Advantage
plan like the plans with Peoples Health.
Ms. Norton: When you talk preventative screenings and prescription drugs and
increased premiums, income beneficiaries, a lot of these things people
become confused about, they have a lot of questions - what's the most common
mistake people make in trying to navigate through this?
Mr. Putiak: Well, one of the most common mistakes I would say is that people wait
for somebody to tell them what to do. And that won't happen most of the time. And
that is one of the advantages of a Medicare Advantage plan and coordinated
care where a plan is giving you reminders, it's time for this check up, we see that
you haven't had this one. And a lot of people are very, very comforted by the
fact that someone is looking out for them, and that's not something that original
Medicare will do.
Ms. Norton: So, bottom line, if you have questions, if you have concerns, the
clock is ticking.
Mr. Putiak: Yes.
Ms. Norton: What should people do?
Mr. Putiak: People should make their decisions now. One general number to
call would be the folks at SHIP, the Senior Health Insurance Information Program
through the Department of Insurance. They can check with the Councils on
Aging. And also if they look in the newspapers, if they see on TV, the
Medicare Advantage Plans are heavily promoting their benefits and their plans
right now, so pick up a newspaper, watch the television commercials, write down
the number and give a call.
Ms. Norton: Enrollment ends earlier this year than any other year. December 7th is
the end. There's a lot of available information out there, the bottom line is
get out there and get the answers you need. Mike Putiak, thank you so much for
stopping by representing Peoples Health this morning. Great information.
Mr. Putiak: Thanks for having me.