The Blade (Toledo, OH)
October 15, 2019
Local
enrollment counselors are encouraging northwest Ohioans to seek help choosing a
Medicare plan this enrollment period as political debates about the future role
of private insurance continue to dominate campaign trails leading up to 2020.
Tuesday
marks the first day of the 2020 Medicare enrollment period, which will last
until Dec. 7. The open enrollment period for Medicaid and the Affordable Care
Act, begin on Nov. 1 and last until Dec. 15, a period that has been shortened
from 92 days to 45 days under President Donald Trump's administration.
Rick
Dunlop, the CEO of UnitedHealthcare Medicare and Retirement in Ohio encourages
folks to go over their plans each year to ensure they're on the best plan. He
says because health and financial situations change and the Center for Medicare
Services occasionally alters its rules, it's important to follow up on services
each year.
"We
always advocate for people to speak with an agent," Mr. Dunlop said
Monday. "We have a lot of resources that people can take advantage
of."
There
are thousands of independent agents who assist people in enrollment across the
state. There are also local Area Office on Aging organizations and the Ohio
Senior Health Insurance Information Program, which assists people in
enrollment.
Mr. Dunlop
says he expects a large enrollment this year, a continued trend of increases in
signups recently.
Northwest
Ohioans looking for help with enrollment can receive personal one-on-one
counseling from the Northwest Ohio Area Office on Aging and are encouraged to
do so, says Meredith Wagoner, the organization's director of the Retired and
Senior Volunteer Program. The program has 12 counselors who can walk seniors
through the process to make sure they're on the best and most cost-effective
plan.
"We
encourage everyone to look over their coverage and re-evaluate their plan every
year," Ms. Wagoner said. "We've partnered with the Ohio Department of
Insurance and we have counselors who are certified to help. Folks can bring in
their Medicare card and we can go over what they have and what's available to
them."
Ms.
Wagoner says to act fast, as the organization has already scheduled
appointments into November.
"We
expect a high number this year," she added.
In
Washington, Medicare remains a hot topic of debate. Earlier this month,
President Trump signed an executive order he says is in response to calls for
"Medicare for all" from Democratic presidential candidates, a change
he believes would put health care "under threat."
"Medicare
is under threat like never before," the president told a crowd of
supporters at a Florida rally. "I will never allow these politicians to
steal your health care and give it away to illegal aliens."
Two
Democratic presidential candidates, Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders and
Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren, however support backing out of private
insurance across all markets in order to implement a universal plan.
In
2019, nearly one-third of all Medicare enrollees (22 million) received their
Medicare coverage through private plans. Insurers collect a fee from the
government for each person who signs up, which was $11,545 on average this
year, totaling $254 billion.
To
schedule an appointment with the Northwest Ohio Area Office on Aging, call
(419) 382-0624.
Information
from The Blade's news services was used in this report.
(c)2019 The Blade (Toledo, Ohio)
Visit The Blade (Toledo, Ohio) at www.toledoblade.com
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