Changes in Medicare
On the Horizon!
Well, as they say, nothing stays the same and Medicare is no exception! Two new changes are coming that you need to pay attention to:
1. New Medicare cards will be issued to all enrollees by mail between April 2018 and April 2019. The change: These new cards will no longer use your social security number to identify you. You will be given a new number unique to you. There will be no duplicates. Caution: Do not give out the number to anyone over the phone! Do not give out personal or private information to a caller who says “We need this information in order to get your new Medicare Number and card.” Hang up. Remember that the new cards will not be sent out all at the same time so your card may arrive at a different time than your neighbor’s.
2. Part F and C Supplemental Programs are going away in 2020. Plan F is the most comprehensive Supplemental Plans but turning out to be the most costly for providers due to the expansive coverage and its attractiveness to “baby boomers.” So what if you already have part F or C? Are you going to lose it? The answer is no. If you enroll prior to the cut off date of January 1, 2020, you will be able to maintain your enrollment in Plans F and C. As a consequence, the last group of Medicare enrollees will be those turning 65 on or before December 31, 2019.
Questions? Please free to give our office a call at 810-229-0220.
-- Nancy Nawrocki