Medicare Enrollment 2026.

Call.

In a next chapter forum.

I'm Marvin Bartlett.

Thanks for joining us.

If you're 65 or older or approaching 65.

You know that Medicare can sometimes feel like a lot to figure out.

And with the open enrollment period coming up, now is the time to take a fresh look at your coverage.

Do you want to stay with the plan you have?

Are there other options you should consider?

And what do you need to know before you make a decision?

Tonight we're going to walk you through it.

We'll talk about Medicare coverage options, the enrollment process, and some of the questions you may be asking yourself right now.

And of course, we want to hear from you.

Joining us tonight are Angela SEEK, health and Government benefits manager with legal aid of the bluegrass.

Lindsey Medley, a social worker at the Lexington Senior Center.

Pete Alberti, an agent with Cordia, and Blake Anderson, CEO of Triple Crown Management.

We'll also check in with KET Emily Prince, who's standing by in our studio with Scott Weganast, AARP Kentucky's communications director.

They'll take a closer look at some of the Medicare issues and questions that may matter most to Kentuckians.

And we have volunteers from AARP Kentucky staffing our phone bank.

They'll be listening to your calls and passing along as many of your questions as they can during the hour.

So how can you get your questions to us?

You can call one 800 9444664.

Again, that's 9444664.

You can also email public affairs at KET or post your question on X at Pub Affairs KET.

However you choose to reach us, we hope you'll join the conversation.

This program is part of KET ongoing aging initiative.

The next chapter focused on rewards and challenges of growing older, so let's get started.

Thank you all for being here with us.

Angela, I'm going to start with you in a very basic question, a definition even very simply, what is Medicaid care?

>> Medicare is the federal health insurance program for people who are 65 years old and older, as well as for people who've been declared disabled by the Social Security Administration.

>> Okay.

And I know the thing you get asked about the most, and that we'll talk about the most tonight is all these different parts.

It's almost like alphabet soup sometimes.

It is Lindsey.

Let me have you kind of briefly run down those basic parts for us.

>> Sure.

So part A, if you can remember A for ambulance because it takes you to the hospital.

So covers your hospital part B when everything else fails, go see the doctor.

So plan B and everything else fails.

Go see the doctor.

And then part C our by saying catch all because that's your advantage.

That covers the dental, vision and hearing.

And it can also include a drug component too.

And then part D D for drug.

>> Okay.

That's great to have those alphabet A for ambulance, B for plan B, C for catch all, D for drugs.

I think that's a pretty good way to remember things.

So we're about to get into that enrollment program period.

Pete tell us what is the enrollment period and what things do you need to decide during that period?

>> Yeah.

So October 15th through December 7th is the period where you can change your plan.

So it could be change your Medicare Advantage plan to a different carrier or plan or change your part D drug plan.

So review and that's a really good time to do it this time of year because, you know, a lot of plans are changing their benefits or their formularies or maybe their doctors are changing from the plans.

So it's a great time to really look and see what's available.

Is there a better plan for, for you this next year?

>> Yeah.

And this is not something you set and forget.

You really should.

Every year.

>> Absolutely.

>> Virginia.

So again, the dates are.

>> October 15th through December 7th.

>> All right.

So you've Blake, you've dealt with this for a long time.

I know people have lots of questions.

What are some of the most common questions you get during the enrollment period?

>> Yeah.

One of the most common questions, you know, advantage plan versus supplement have the formularies changed.

What benefits am I entitled to?

Do I get the extra benefit card?

That's the one I hear all the time.

So a lot of this specific questions.

>> Yeah, there's this feeling that this is very complicated and complex.

And I guess it can be very confusing.

But do you find that if people come in and get some help, it's not as taxing as they may fear that it would be?

>> Absolutely.

I think that if you get the right person explaining everything to you and really educating you on the plan specifics and just kind of navigating through the through the enrollment period, I think you're better off than otherwise.

>> Yeah.

Angela.

Folks might wonder, do they have to go on Medicare when they're 65?

>> No, that's a difficult question.

Some don't do not need to enroll into Medicare, especially if they're going to continue to work.

However, if they are going to retire very soon, they need to really strongly consider enrolling into Medicare.

Looking at those different options, determining what kind.

>> Of.

>> Insurance they might want as far as a supplement policy and as a drug plan or a Medicare Advantage plan, there, there is a lot to consider.

>> Yeah.

And we can talk about this, too, Pete.

There are penalties involved sometimes if you delay.

Talk about the penalties and why are there penalties?

>> There are penalties.

I think the biggest confusion, though, just to expand on that, a lot of people think they need to go to Medicare at 65, but they're still working.

Yeah.

So as long as they have a group plan, they can waive Medicare.

They don't do anything.

They don't have to enroll.

But there are penalties because group plans, a waiver.

Not much else is like Cobra.

Individual coverage is not a waiver.

So if you don't get Medicare when you're eligible, there's a 10% penalty and it's a lifetime penalty.

Yeah.

>> And that would be I'm sorry.

Yes.

That's for part B, part B, part B.

>> A and B actually A and.

>> B, and then on part D there's also a penalty.

There's a 1% penalty if you don't get your part D your drug plan it's the same as well.

>> Yeah.

So you really need to think of what you want to do when you're 65.

>> Most you want to go on Medicare because it's a good program.

A lot of it's paid for because you paid into the system while you're working.

Now, you're going to get your part B and pay for that coverage, as well as getting a supplemental plan.

Maybe the advantage plan, maybe the Medicare supplement plan.

>> Yeah.

Lindsey do employers tend to push people when they're 65 to do Medicare instead of staying on company plans?

Is that something that happens sometimes?

>> No, I don't really see that too too often.

Most employers will still keep them on the coverage.

And really, they don't really know what your age is unless you tell them what your age is.

So.

>> Yeah.

Well, one thing that and I'm in that window, I don't mind saying I'm 64.

So I've been I've been getting calls and texts and.

>> Will for the.

>> Rest of your fliers in the mail for a year now.

So people do know how old you are and they want your business and why, why are they going after you so hard when you're getting into this window?

>> Yeah, well, it's money basically.

You know, private companies are contracting with Medicare to offer this insurance, and Medicare does pay them to offer the insurance.

I think we see the most problems with third party marketers.

They're the ones that are cold calling, which is against is a marketing violation.

According to Medicare.

Medicare really doesn't have the rules in place for third party marketers as they do insurance companies.

But ultimately, it's at the end of the day, it's to get people to change their plan to get a commission.

>> Okay, we are starting to get some calls in, and that's what we want to get to.

The questions that the folks at home have.

So this first question here is a telehealth appointment covered by Medicare.

>> Yes it is.

So last year, Congress reauthorized telehealth services under original Medicare.

So the authorization ends on December 31st of 2027.

So for that to extend, Congress will have to act.

But Medicare Advantage plans also cover telehealth services.

>> Okay.

And a lot of people use telehealth.

>> They do.

It's very important, especially in rural Kentucky.

Yeah.

>> So another thing people want to know about is what if I can't pay for this?

What I have, you know, I have, I need help, I can't really pay for this.

Is there help available for people who have trouble paying?

>> Yeah, absolutely.

So if they are within a certain income limit, they can enroll or apply for the Medicare savings program, which helps at the bare minimum, pay that part B premium, which is 202 90 and based on your income level that you know from an advantage plan standpoint that allows you to enroll in different dual plans which provide, again, different benefits where you see a lot of those additional dental vision, the grocery cart, everyone talks about, a lot of that is based on not only chronic condition, but also income as well.

>> Yeah.

And that part C is one that we want to talk a lot about because I think I've read 50% of people do get that part B or C, which is also known as the advantage plan Lindsey talk a little bit more about what that C plan is and, and who that would be good for.

>> So a truly an advantage plan is maybe better for somebody that doesn't have a lot of chronic issues that knows that they're only going to be seeing the doctor maybe once or twice a year, or potentially if they get sick.

So a supplemental plan is truly for the people that already have those chronic conditions and need to be able to have that coverage on an ongoing basis, because you're paying for something ahead of time, whether you use it or not.

With a supplemental plan.

Whereas an advantage plan, you're paying for it as you go.

>> Okay, that kind of feeds off this question that's coming in right now.

Paul from Indiana is calling in.

He says, what is the best way to deal with the Medicare gap?

And that's where we're talking about the supplemental plans, right?

>> That's right.

So there are multiple Medicare supplement plans that are offered to individuals.

They need to look and see what kind of coverage it is that they really want.

But those gap, that gap coverage will pay the Medicare part a deductible.

The part B, potentially the part B deductible.

But definitely the co-payments and co-insurance amounts associated with part A and part B.

>> Yeah.

And sometimes those advantage come those advantage plans come at no additional cost.

And you know, why is that.

Why aren't why aren't the insurers wanting more money for that plan.

>> Yeah, I would say I would say the supplement policies are expensive.

And you go ahead.

>> With.

It.

>> Yeah.

The advantage plans do have a very low premium or sometimes a zero premium.

And they're funded by the Medicare program.

So that's a lot of confusion.

People get the term, some people might say it's free.

It's not really free.

You paid for it, right?

You paid into Medicare all your life.

If you join advantage plan that company, that carrier is getting funding every month from the Medicare program.

And that's how you have the extra benefits.

So when you have an advantage plan, you have your hospital, your medical, your drug plan, Storm be included.

And also you have those extra benefits.

And that's what a lot of people looking at, they're looking at.

Yes, I need dental, I need vision, hearing aid coverage.

Sometimes there's a gym membership included and maybe some other benefits that they might get with the plan.

So that is the, the competitive of the different plans.

Which one is going to suit them best.

But I always tell people, look at the medical plan first, make decision on does your doctor take this plan?

What type of medical benefit does it have?

Whether it's PT, physical therapy, whether it's hospital coverage, those are the important things.

Yeah, but it's nice to have the extra benefits at the same time.

>> Yeah.

So those plans that come with $0 maybe require higher co-pays or higher deductibles.

>> Maybe not always.

But I will tell you, there are some plans that do have a premium and they'll have lower co-pays and more extra benefits.

So that is the attraction, I think, of having a premium plan.

Now, is it actually a better plan than the zero cost plans?

But yeah, they really vary.

>> Yeah.

Like we talked about, you paid into this all your life, but some people have and some people have not worked that much in their life.

Is Medicare available to folks who haven't worked much?

>> Yeah.

I mean, you can purchase part A if you've not worked your 40 quarters and you know, you have part B, which you pay for when you turn turn 65.

But there is options available if you have been married to someone at least ten years, that paid into the system, you should be able to get part B or excuse me, part A based on them.

So that's also an option available as well.

>> Yeah.

These we talk about A, B, C, and D, and there's actually a lot more letters aren't there.

We're getting into the supplements.

We have a question about that.

And I don't know what each of the letters stands for, but someone says he's thinking about enrolling in G. Do you have to qualify medically.

>> So if he is starting to be if he's just now 65 and enrolling into it, then no, he does not have to do a health survey in order to get into part G. If he is older and had an advantage plan first, then he would have to do that health survey in order to first get into it.

So, and supplemental plans have a right to deny you, whereas advantage plans do not.

>> It's very similar to life insurance.

So when you first earn 65, it's guaranteed issue.

And then after that point you're rated based on your health and everything like that, which can adjust the premium you'll pay.

Or they could deny you as well.

>> Yeah.

>> I would say some plans do have preexisting conditions.

So there might be a six month elimination period.

So it's very important when you're comparing policies to ask those questions.

>> Yeah.

So you really you do kind of need a spreadsheet.

You need to make some columns and this, this provides this, this and this and see it all right in front of you.

Don't you Lindsey you work with a lot of seniors one on one, don't you?

They're to senior center.

Are you able to help people know if their particular doctor will take the coverage they're looking at, or their dentist or their their optometrist?

>> Yeah.

So medicare.gov is a really wonderful system to where you can plug in all of your doctors and see if they would be covered by that specific advantage plan.

>> Okay, let's talk about some things that are not covered.

If people need to know that.

Yes, Angela, some of the main things that people maybe wish were covered or that are not.

>> So under original Medicare, which is Medicare Part A and part B, it does not cover eyeglasses, routine eye exams, routine dental services, dental cleanings.

It doesn't pay for custodial care, long term care, or a caregiver in certain situations.

There are a lot of gaps to the original Medicare benefit.

>> And can you have can you have the advantage plan?

And another supplement plan?

You can't have both.

>> Can you.

>> No you can't.

Medicare Advantage would be a decision you would make versus the supplement plan.

However, I will say some people with a Medicare Advantage plan are looking at going with a hospital indemnity.

Plan to pay for the hospital copay, or if they have a health savings account from work or prior prior to going to Medicare.

You can't contribute to a health savings account going forward.

Once your Medicare.

But if you have money in a health savings account, that is a great option for having to pay for those copays.

You have money now to pay the co-pays.

You have an account that you've saved all these years, and it would help with those costs.

>> Okay.

>> Yeah.

>> We want, of course, you folks at home to let us know what your questions are.

We have a phone bank standing by.

A lot of volunteers are ready to take your call.

They'll pass those on to us.

We'll get to as many of them as we can.

And it looks like there's there's some lines available.

So give those folks a call.

And we're going to go over to Emily Prince in just a moment.

But first, I want to just talk about you don't know about all the changes, but we know about some changes that are coming up.

And one of them deals with weight loss.

Weight loss drugs.

And that's a big issue right now, isn't it?

Angela you want to take that one.

>> Yeah.

So Medicare recently released a demonstration project.

It's the GLP one bridge program.

It will allow individuals to purchase medications like Wegovy and Zepbound at a $50 copayment.

There are some rules that they have to meet, and they should speak with their prescribing physician to see if they can become a part of this GLP bridge program, but it's very important.

It is only going to last until December 31st of next year, unless unless Medicare and Congress makes some changes.

>> So again, it's a pilot program.

>> That's right.

That's it.

>> All right.

Well, let's go over now to Emily Prince, who's standing by with Scott Weganast with a r p, and have them join our conversation.

Emily.

>> Thank you so much, Marvin.

All right Scott, we've been taking it all in over here.

Lots of discussion already.

Let's go back to something that was discussed toward the beginning, a word that we probably don't really like.

But we got to talk about penalty penalties.

Yes.

Let's reiterate.

What do folks need to know?

And most importantly, how do they avoid penalties?

>> One of the biggest misconceptions that we routinely see is folks don't realize that Medicare enrollment is not automatic.

There are different triggers and times when you need to enroll to avoid, say, a 10% part, a penalty because you enrolled later.

Part D, another 10%.

You know, penalty because you didn't enroll in time.

One of the things you can do is find resources and help.

Like some of the folks on the panel have been talking about right now, the AARP bulletin, the September and October edition has the full list of everything to watch for to avoid these penalties and the Kentucky State Health Insurance Assistance Program, Schip, commonly known as does terrific work.

And they will walk you through some of the processes to make sure that you are making those decisions wisely and at the right time.

And that's especially true of medicare.gov, aarp.org.

We have a lot of terrific resources available online so that you can look at part A. Part B, part D, and what the triggers are and the timelines are for that.

To register for those to sign up for those programs.

>> Yes.

Excellent.

I know you have the document with you.

It was like a full sheet.

Everything you needed to know was right there.

>> Page spread in the AARP bulletin.

The September October edition.

We do this every year because Medicare, you've earned it.

You've paid into it.

It's something that you need to get your fullest benefit back out of it.

And the only way to do that is to have the resources and the knowledge and know when you need help.

Because I know as I approach 65, I am definitely trying to figure out and learn as much as I can to make these decisions.

>> Yes.

Now let's reiterate real quick.

You mentioned we call it Schip often for short.

I want to make sure people are watching.

They need to write that down and go look into that.

Kentucky's state health insurance assistance program.

Correct.

Talk to me again.

What can folks find out?

Can they find, you know, get individual information.

>> They can.

And what they have Schip counselors, Schip counselors to help navigate you through the system and through the processes and give you trusted information and valuable resource that's available nationwide.

But also here in Kentucky.

>> Exactly.

And like I know you mentioned to me, they're kind of independent, right?

Because they don't sell health insurance.

So you really get independent, good trusted advice from them.

>> It's a terrific source.

It's one that everybody should check out.

>> Great.

All right.

Well, hopefully folks remember that.

Write that down and go check that out, Marvin.

We'll send it back to you and your panel.

>> Thank you.

Emily Blake.

Of course, you know one thing people always want to know about is the cost.

And the cost goes up a little bit each year for plan B, right.

I think it's about $202 a month right now.

When will we when will we know what the cost will be for the next year?

>> When does that come out?

>> Usually November of.

>> To say it should be coming close.

>> It's estimated.

>> At 209.

But that's an estimate.

And usually they'll release it pretty much the second week of November almost every year.

So they'll release the part B premium, part B deductible about the same time they release all the Medicare numbers for next year.

>> So 202 to 209 would not be a huge raise.

>> No.

>> Most people would be okay with that.

I would think.

And Blake, the it comes out of your Social Security check.

So yes, that's the way most people pay for it.

And they don't really write a check for it.

>> Yeah, most of the time it just comes out of your Social Security monthly.

>> Yeah.

However.

>> For people that have that are not full retirement age, which now is 67, if they enroll into Medicare but not receiving a Social Security payment, they will have to pay monthly or quarterly.

They can set that up.

>> And you can set it up through medicare.gov.

>> You can decide how you want to pay.

You'll get billed, and it can be monthly or quarterly.

Right?

Okay, Pete, I know also you want to talk about or maybe warn people that there's a lot of misinformation out there.

What some of the things you've heard going around that just, just.

>> Aren't going away.

AM I going to get this?

Where's my food card?

And just there's all these things I've heard anywhere from my Medicare Advantage going away to my Medicare supplements, going away.

And there's so many people on both programs, neither one of them are going away.

They are their plans that, you know, every a lot of people have supplement plans.

They're very popular, whether it's the plan G or plan N and the Medicare Advantage plans.

There's a lot of news out there talking about plans being terminated in Kentucky.

We have a lot of plans that are being combined or crosswalks, what they call it, to a new plan.

So most people should have a new plan for next year.

There are a few plans that are being discontinued, like the part D program.

There may be some plans that may not be available next year.

So you really have to look for the letter from your company.

Every year you get an annual notice of change from your carrier.

They're going to tell you what the changes are to your plan.

If your plan is being discontinued, they'll let you know.

But it is a lot of phone calls we get about telemarketers and things that are being said on social media that is sometimes not always correct.

And, you know, talking to us agents, talking to the ship counselors and people that know these things is the best people to talk to people that are local in the community.

And Kentucky can tell you about the Kentucky plans.

>> Wright makes sense.

And back to cost.

We we talked about the cost for plan B, there are concerns that the cost of drugs may go way up, right?

>> Oh, sure.

So the premium stabilization demonstration project program expired and that program allowed plans to get some additional federal dollars to keep them from raising Medicare Part D standalone drug plan premiums significantly.

So when that expired, we have seen an increase in part D premiums for next year.

Our premiums will range between $5.30 to $225, and some change.

So it's really important that people compare that insurance every year.

We cannot say that enough.

We are human and creatures of habit.

But don't be a creature of habit for this.

Compare, compare, compare.

>> Absolutely.

>> Okay, here's a question from a viewer.

What is the latest?

My husband can enroll in Medicare.

He has his regular insurance paid up until August, but he turned 65 in February.

He wants to take that one.

>> So when you become Medicare eligible at age 65, you have a seven month window to enroll three months before the 65th birth month, the month of and three months after.

If he's going to keep employer coverage, he should.

Most likely delay enrollment unless his HR tells him that he needs that, he must enroll.

It's best because when you enroll into part B specifically, it triggers a special enrollment period for a supplement policy.

And I think Blake kind of talked about this earlier.

When we talk about when is the best time to purchase a policy, it's when you're brand new to Medicare.

So it really depends.

We have we would need a few more questions answered so we can, before we can give exact answers.

>> Okay, another question from a caller.

My advantage plan does not pay for medical equipment and physical therapy.

Does Medicare.

What do I have to do?

>> Medicare Advantage does cover all the things that part A and part B covers, but there may be a co-pay.

Some plans may have a deductible, but all Medicare Advantage plans are going to cover anything.

That.

Part A the hospital coverage and part B the medical coverage covers.

Medicare advantage must cover it, and the Medicare Advantage have a maximum out of pocket.

That's the benefit of a Medicare Advantage plan versus Medicare straight Medicare does not have a maximum out of pocket of that 20%, the deductible you pay.

So maybe some misconception on that plan that person has, but it should cover the the physical therapy and other services, probably with a co-pay.

>> Okay.

Another question.

I just got laid off.

Can I sign up for part B right away?

My age is 71.

I already have part A. Yeah.

>> Absolutely.

Absolutely.

>> You can do it right away.

>> Immediately.

Yes.

>> Okay.

And if that happens to someone in the spring, they don't have to wait until the enrollment period at the end of the year.

>> No.

>> No, they haven't really an eight month period when they lose employer coverage.

But that's not recommended.

They they should call and get everything set up quickly.

>> And they should have a letter from their HR company to saying that they had insurance from this date and to this date of when it stopped.

>> Okay.

>> And so enrollment is done through Social Security.

I don't know if we've mentioned that or not.

Anytime you're enrolled in Medicare, it's the Social Security office.

So you enroll through Social Security.

But once you have Medicare, then you can contact Medicare for questions.

But the enrollment through the Social Security Office, the website is probably the easiest way to get enrolled.

>> And it says that automatically when you turn 65 Hart no, nothing's automatic.

>> You're automatic enrolled.

If you're on Social Security already prior to 65.

But if you're not automatically, you're not automatically enrolled unless you're on Social Security already.

Yes.

>> Okay.

I'm trying to these.

>> Questions like.

>> To.

>> Go ahead.

I've seen a lot of people get part D penalties because they just assumed that, you know, they were enrolling in that as well.

And they and they hadn't.

So, you know, it's really important to look into that, right?

When you are eligible for part B.

>> And the part D enrollment period is much shorter than the part B. So we have eight months to enroll in part B after losing employer coverage, but only 63 days to enroll into a drug plan.

>> Yep.

>> Okay.

A lot of seniors in their golden years, that's when they travel.

They they leave the country.

They they go on great trips.

So someone's asking about that when traveling outside the U.S.

what is the difference between Medicare Advantage and other Medicare plans?

>> Well, first of all, Medicare doesn't cover outside the U.S.

however, if you have a supplement, there is coverage.

It's limited, but there's coverage on a Medicare supplement, and there's probably a little more coverage with an advantage plan.

But every plan is different.

I usually recommend a travel plan.

It's great that you have coverage on your plan.

Maybe if it's a short trip to Canada, but it's really overseas in foreign travel.

Great to get a travel plan and then you can use your Medicare Advantage supplement as well if needed.

>> Okay.

We may have talked about this already.

When you switch to an advantage plan, why can't you go back to a supplement plan?

What are the rules?

>> So you would have to be approved if you're outside of your guaranteed issue period, which is outside when you first are eligible.

It's a lot like life insurance.

So you have to go through an application process.

They look at your medical history, your demographics, and they can they can deny you or they can rate you at a different level than you originally would have, would have had.

>> Lindsey there are people that are, that are seniors who are really healthy.

They don't take any medication, nothing regular.

They may think, I don't need that part D right now, but is it an advantage to go ahead and get it because of the penalties that come on down the road?

>> Absolutely.

And then if that is the case, I would recommend going ahead and just getting an advantage plan because typically you can get that at a $0 premium.

And if you're, you know, generally healthy and only seeing the doctor a few times a year, then you're just paying for it as you go.

>> I think you made the comparison before.

Angela.

It's like car insurance.

Yeah, you get it before you need it.

>> That's exactly right.

>> Yeah, yeah.

Here's another question.

Why have insurers cut out over the benefits and prescriptions?

>> I can help you there.

>> Okay.

>> So the part D program is great.

There's a maximum out of pocket on part D drug plans.

Now the government set it at 2000.

Initially it's gone up 2100 this year, 2400 next year in 2027.

However, with the insurance companies, they're paying more out of pocket.

So they're reducing the extra benefits on Medicare Advantage plans quite a bit.

The last couple of years.

Last year, they reduced some.

This year they might reduce even more.

So you might see less dental benefit, less vision benefit, as well as the over the counter.

Some plans even just discontinued the silver Sneakers program.

The gym membership.

So I think with having a higher cost on prescriptions to the insurance carrier because of that maximum out of pocket, they got to reduce the extra benefits.

And all the a lot of companies are doing that to make up for the difference in cost.

Okay.

>> A lot of people are asking about specific procedures.

Blake.

What about cataract surgery?

>> That is covered by original Medicare?

>> Okay.

And that's something a lot of seniors use.

>> Yes, absolutely.

>> I know they're glad that that that is covered.

I can't hardly keep up with the questions are coming in so quickly.

We thank you again.

We have the AARP volunteers standing by.

You see the information there at the bottom of the screen.

And and you're keeping them busy.

And that's why we're so happy they're here, because we couldn't do this without them.

Let's see.

Plan D premiums for 2027.

Does that have anything to do with supplements?

That was that were eliminated.

Does that make sense.

>> They're asking about the part D premium.

>> Yes.

>> So we did have the elimination of several Medicare supplement policies throughout the year, throughout the years.

The last two that were eliminated from sale for most part are plan C and plan F. Only people who had Medicare prior to January 1st of 2020 can purchase those policies, but that doesn't have anything really to do with Medicare premiums.

It's more Medicare Part D premiums.

I'm sorry.

That's more with the elimination of the stabilization program.

And and then, of course, what the what the insurance companies use to set those rates.

>> Yeah.

We've talked about this a little bit, but people were asking about switching back and forth from a supplement plan to the advantage plan.

Can you do that often?

Every year when you look at things, can you say, I want to go a different route this year?

Pete.

>> I think it's much easier to switch from one Medicare Advantage company to another.

Maybe that same company, maybe a different carrier, because there's no underwriting.

But going from the advantage plan to the supplement is usually more difficult because you have to qualify.

So sometimes when people have more concerns with that, concerns about the network or doctors that are hospitals, they want to see.

Sometimes there may be better off to go with a supplement first, see if that's the best model for them, their best product, and then later on, if they want to try the advantage plan later, maybe they can try it later on down the road and try it out.

There is a trial period on Medicare Advantage plans, which most people don't know about this.

Okay, there's a trial period at age 65.

So right when you turn 65, if you go to Medicare Advantage plan, you have a 12 month trial period.

You also have a trial period.

If you have a supplement first, and then you go into a Medicare Advantage later, you have a 12 month trial period to try it out.

Anytime that first 12 months, you can hop off that plan, the advantage plan, go back to your supplement.

No health questions.

So that's a great option for people who want to try it out.

They've heard from their friend.

It's a good plan.

I'm not sure it's good for them.

They can test it out and see if they like it.

Okay.

With that obligation of going back to that supplement.

>> All right.

>> And I would just add quickly, we now in Kentucky have the birthday rule.

So if you are enrolled into a supplement every year, starting the day of your birthday and lasting 60 days, you can compare supplement coverage with, with other companies to see if you can get a cheaper price.

So instead of dropping that, and I know it gets really expensive, but it is the most complete coverage, one can have a original Medicare and a supplement policy, but instead of dropping it, my recommendation is compare on your birthday and what what insurance might be available.

>> Just to add, it has to be the same lettered supplement.

So if it's a plan G, you can only move to a plan G at your birth month within 60 days.

If it's a plan F, you have to stay with that plan F as well.

Okay, that's the difference.

Not switching within letters because the supplement, as we know, is different alphabet.

Yeah, it's the F, the G, the N. There's a lot and there's different ones.

Yeah.

They do come.

They do compare, you.

No different plans and how they pay out.

>> So this is another example of one of those times when you don't have to wait for the end of the year enrollment period.

If your birthday is in the spring, you can make your decision in the spring.

>> That's exactly right.

>> Okay.

We're going to go back over to Emily in just a moment.

Talk about some of the red flags.

You might want to be careful of as as you go to sign up.

Before we do that, I think this sets it up perfectly.

This email that came in, I received tons of spam calls every day.

They tell me I have Medicare benefits that I have not claimed have unclaimed funeral benefits.

It goes on and on.

One caller I spoke to for a few minutes asked me if I live close enough to a bank to drive or walk to it.

>> Oh no.

>> I immediately hung up.

This is getting ridiculous.

Any advice or help would be appreciated.

You take it and then we're going to let Emily build off of that.

>> Yeah, I wish we could.

We had a magic wand to keep that from happening.

I would say put make sure you're on the do Not call list.

Check that every so often.

Don't respond to any commercials and really just don't even answer the phone.

If you don't know the know the phone number.

>> Yeah.

And you work with seniors a lot.

Lindsey do you hear about this happening a.

>> Lot?

Constantly.

>> Constantly.

>> Yeah.

So and if you don't recognize the number, don't answer the phone.

And truly, if it's important, they'll leave a voicemail.

And most of those people that are cold calling you will not leave a voicemail.

>> All right.

Let's go back over to Emily and Scott to continue our conversation.

Emily?

>> Yes.

Thank you.

Marvin.

Scott, we just heard from a caller sharing, as I'm sure many of our folks watching have experienced this.

Our panel gave some good, responses there.

But what are you supposed to do when you're just getting your phone blown up by these calls?

Is should you be reporting them?

Should just ignore them.

What do you do.

>> Right now?

Medicare covers almost 69 million Americans.

So they have become a very rich target for scammers.

They know Medicare, open enrollment begins the 15th of October through the 17th.

So what you can do is already been mentioned a couple of times, but find that information at aarp.org.

Fraud Watch Network.

We have an extensive list of different scams and frauds with that are being updated constantly.

It's a it's a service that we provide free.

But what you can do, Social Security is not going to call you Medicare is not going to call you.

And if you don't recognize that number, you don't answer that call.

Be alert.

You know, think you know, pause, reflect and protect yourself from the scammers who are relentless and their techniques.

And you mix in some AI with some of their new techniques is it is brutal and it's criminal.

Yes.

And you have to protect yourself with knowledge and make sure that, you know that you identify some strange requests that you're getting, that you've never heard from someone before.

>> Exactly.

And like you mentioned, Social Security, Medicare.

No, they're not going to call you.

They're not going to text you.

Right.

Know how if they do need to get in contact with you, how are they going to reach out to you?

>> They're going to communicate if you've if you've opened your own Social Security SSA, my Social Security plan with the Social Security Network Administration, they'll be able to communicate with you through your email.

Okay.

And it's a very secure system with ssa.gov.

Gotcha.

And it's something that you want to do as well.

Again, to come back to avoid these penalties, right?

Is knowing when you're going to, when you're required to sign up and for what.

>> Any other just so folks know to be aware of anything that sticks out to you that I'm sure there are things around open enrollment, right?

People, fake agent or something like that.

Any other examples for people to be aware of?

>> They may be they may be posing as Social Security, Medicare or a local ship counselor.

Or state health insurance assistance program.

All sorts of different schemes and scams.

With the scammers, they're always turning over something.

>> New.

Well, people need to check out the AARP website so they can check that list.

Should they be reporting as well?

>> If we do have a reporting service that the AARP Fraud Watch Network, you can report it to the Kentucky Attorney General.

You report it to the Department of Financial Institutions here in Frankfort.

They all have a toll free numbers.

You can find them legitimately online and make that report.

And that helps other people not to get snared in the scammers web.

>> Exactly.

Help people out, help people out, and don't get caught up in that.

All right.

And remember, they will not call you or text you.

It will not happen.

All right, Marvin, back to you all.

>> Thank you.

Emily and Scott Blake, we're getting more questions about how to pay for it.

What is the Kentucky Medicare Savings Program and who qualifies?

>> Yeah.

So that is through Medicaid.

So once you turn 65 or you're eligible for Medicare, you can apply again through the local Dcbs office or via phone.

And if you're within a certain financial means, there's different levels.

So once you are approved for that, then the state helps pay that part B premium at the bare minimum, okay.

>> And all of you can help people with that enrollment process.

I'm sure.

>> Yes.

And I wrote down the levels too before I came on.

So there's Q and be qualified Medicare beneficiary.

You can make less than $1,350 SL and B, which is specified low income Medicare beneficiary.

It's $1,824.

And then there's Q. I qualified individual $1,660 that you can make.

>> Okay, good to know.

And on the other end, we talk about this $202 that the plan B cost each month, higher income people pay more than that, right?

There's a level where you pay more.

>> That's right.

So there's something called Irma, which is the income.

I'm never good with remembering what the acronym stands for, but it's called Irma.

It's an adjusted income looking at income taxes from two years ago.

So individuals with higher income can have a surcharge or an additional monthly premium, higher premium.

>> Okay, Pete, here's a question.

Can I have both Medicare and employer insurance at the same time?

>> It's not recommended.

Why not?

We've had people try to do that, not telling us or keeping the group plan.

And there's a something called Medicare crossover.

Once you start filing claims when you're on Medicare with your group plan, and all of a sudden you start switching over to the supplement or advantage plan, Medicare will have a record, which you have.

You almost have to call Medicare and report.

What you now have is different.

So once you start that claim, you really want to end your group and go to a Medicare plan.

It doesn't make sense to have both plans.

Whether you're paying for it or not.

It just does mess up.

Claims that go to Medicare later down the road.

Okay.

Yeah.

>> One caller would like the panelists to clarify what hospitals you can go to.

If you have regular Medicare versus the advantage plan you want to take that?

>> Well, there's no network.

If you have Medicare.

So as long as most hospitals have to Medicare and most doctors will take Medicare for the most part.

So as long as you have Medicare, Medicare supplement, there's an open network, pretty much when you have an advantage plan, you can check the company's website to find out what hospitals, doctors.

They accept and some.

Some are limited.

Some are very widespread.

Some people believe that if you have a plan in Kentucky, you can only use it in Kentucky.

But they have nationwide networks.

A lot of the advantage plans.

But it is very open network on a supplement and Medicare.

>> Okay.

How do you get cheaper drugs on plan B de plan D.

>> Generic medications.

Those are the drug plans are allowed to tier medications.

And so that typically the higher the tier, the more expensive the medications are.

So of course, generic medications are going to be the cheapest.

But it's just working with the doctor and making sure that you're using formulary drugs, drugs that the plan agrees to pay for.

And, and trying to see what is the cheapest out there.

Yeah, unfortunately.

>> Say to like piggyback off of that, you can do formulary exceptions if something's not covered by your insurance, you can do goodrx, which is through the pharmacy, which can work to try to get cheaper prices on those medications.

You can work with the manufacturer itself to see if they have like internal programs that can help pay for some of those really expensive medications.

>> And it may also depend on what pharmacy you're going to as well, because some pharmacies are in network with the advantage plan, and some are not.

>> And there is a program called Medicare Extra Help, which I encourage every person on Medicare to apply for.

It is a program that lowers the monthly premium of the part D drug plan, or even the Medicare Advantage Plan drug plan premium.

If there is one.

And it can lower the medication at the at the local pharmacy.

And for those who are not eligible, we usually use those denials to gain access to the patient assistance programs through the drug manufacturers.

>> Okay.

A caller from Mayfield wants to know says he's a veteran on Medicare.

Do I get a discount on part B?

>> Yeah.

>> The discount for veterans.

>> But no.

>> Yeah.

>> I will say there are plans, specific advantage plans that give a benefit of a part B give back to kind of help cushion that $202 to help provide a little extra assistance with that.

So that can help pay some of it, at least.

>> Okay.

If I am covered by a workplace health insurance plan when I turn 65 in December, when can I enroll?

>> Yeah.

So if you're going to continue to work, keep the group employer coverage.

If you can.

But if you're turning, what month did they say.

>> December.

>> December.

So you can if you're going to lose your group coverage, you have three months before your birth month.

So you can enroll in October and have coverage effective December 1st.

>> Yeah.

What about I'm sure you get questions about a spouse, you've turned 65.

You've always your spouse has been on your plan.

Now they can't be on your plan, can they, until they turn 65 as well.

Is that correct?

>> Well, I guess if you're going to continue working, you can keep your plan like it is so you can keep your spouse insured.

However, if you're going to go to Medicare and your spouse is no longer insured, maybe they're not working.

They can go to the marketplace program, the Affordable Care Act will help people get insurance prior to Medicare, and there's no health questions on the Affordable Care Act.

We call it marketplace as well.

But that's a program that can go on to.

And there's assistance as well.

So if you have a certain income and a retirement, you can get assistance towards the cost.

Hence the Affordable Care Act.

Yeah, yeah.

>> People have been used to being on the same plan their whole lives.

May have to find themselves on separate plans.

If 165 and the other one is not.

>> That's one thing to remember too.

Medicare is an individual health plan.

Yeah, you're used to being on a on a group plan together.

Really when you go to Medicare, you and your spouse can have completely separate plans.

You have different health situations.

So you can have different Medicare plans.

>> I'll throw this one to you, Blake.

Does the coverage have limits?

What happens if you get a serious illness?

>> Serious illness, like with advantage plans or with.

>> Just in general?

I guess if you find.

>> Yourself.

I mean, I think that's important to distinguish between like the advantage plan versus the supplement.

You know, when you go to the hospital, the supplement, most of your costs are covered.

So, you know, advantage plans have, you know, there's co-pays, there's, there's pros and cons to everything.

>> There's maximum out of pocket.

>> Maximum out of pocket.

Absolutely.

>> And it's important to note that there's two different types of advantage plans.

There's HMO and then there's PPO, HMO.

You can kind of remember it by saying homebody because you have to stay in network and PPO.

You can remember that by saying preferred provider.

So they both have different out of pocket costs.

So an HMO would be around 5500, whereas PPO would be more around 6800.

>> And I will say too, that a lot of concerns I see just working in the community, you know, the co-pays when it comes to inpatient hospitalization, those historically with advantage plans over the last few years have really increased.

So like Pete had said earlier, indemnity plans are great to partner with those advantage plans so that you can cushion that cost.

>> Okay.

There's also guaranteed issue on the hospital indemnity plans.

Some of these carriers will have a guaranteed issue from 65 to 70 on a hospital indemnity.

So if you join a Medicare Advantage plan, now you're seeing your hospital co-pays go up and you're trying to kind of cushion that you can enroll in a hospital indemnity plan.

And they're not that costly.

That is something that you can pay a small premium on and help with that hospital co-pay.

When something does occur, like a major expense hospitalization.

>> Okay.

>> I would also add quickly that there is for people who can't afford a supplement, and maybe they chose not to have a Medicare Advantage plan because they're so limited with the network.

Maybe they're in a rural community.

If they only have original Medicare and they have a catastrophic medical expense, there's something in Kentucky called spin down.

It's not going to pay 100% of the medical outstanding medical costs, but it can pay a significant amount.

So that is an option that they can look at.

>> We have about ten minutes left, so there may be time to get your calls in.

Still, we do have the volunteers standing by.

If you're not able to get through on the phones, you can also send us an email.

You see the information there at the bottom of your screen.

A caller from Campbellsville wants to know, is it too late to get part A at age 68?

How much does it cost?

>> It's not too late, but the Medicare enrollment period.

If you did not get your part A, part B when you're first eligible, it's open from January 1st to March 31st, so you can enroll in your part A and part B, or whichever one you did not get.

But there'll probably be a penalty that you have to face as well.

But so if you enroll, here's another one.

If you enroll in January, it will go effective February 1st.

And then you can enroll in a plan to go with it.

But there could be a penalty depending on how much time you didn't have it like.

So it's a 10% per year.

You did not have your part A or part B, depending on your situation.

>> Okay.

>> So premium free part A, if they've worked and they paid the 40 quarters, they can enroll.

Like Pete said during the general enrollment period, January 1st to March 31st, it's the part B that comes with the penalty.

So that also that has to be enrolled during the general enrollment period.

But like Pete said, it's 10% of the current premium for every 12 months they went without coverage, 10%.

>> So it could really add up.

>> Yeah, that can really add up.

So and we'll just reiterate that the changes that people are making now, or they will during this enrollment period take effect January 1st.

>> That's right.

>> Right.

People asking again about some specific procedures.

Someone wants to know, are dental implants covered by any of the Medicare plans?

>> Not not anymore.

There used to be.

Yeah.

So if it's covered, it normally would have been a Medicare Advantage plan.

That one that covers the dental insurance in most cases.

I'll tell people, look, it doesn't cover all your dental procedures.

You might need to get a standalone dental plan to cover those other things.

>> And they're fairly affordable too.

>> So fairly affordable.

>> For the dental plan, not the implant.

>> Yeah.

For the.

Dental plan.

Yeah.

Right.

>> Implants can be very expensive.

>> Especially if you need more than one.

We talked about this a little bit too.

If you go to a foreign country, are you still covered?

Yeah.

>> Well, it all depends on what kind of insurance.

>> Yeah yeah yeah it does.

I know the supplements are very limited to to 50,000 lifetime on foreign travel.

And the advantage plans are all over the board.

Sometimes they have a cap and sometimes there's no cap, but it's only for emergency only.

>> Can you spread your drug costs out over the year?

>> Great question.

You can.

>> Yes.

>> Yeah.

So the maximum out of pocket next year.

Well first of all the deductible next year is $700.

It's going from 615 to $700 deductible.

Most of the time you only pay the deductible on brand names.

Not all plans, but most plans.

You pay the deductible starting on brands maximum, it's going to be $2,400.

It's going from 2100 to 2400.

Okay.

Now some people, if they have a high cost, expensive drugs, prescriptions and let's say in a few months, they'll get the max.

That's a lot of money to spend in three months, $2,400.

So you can call the carrier and spread that $2,400 over the full 12 months and make a monthly premium payment, additional payment to the carrier of that company enrolled with.

Okay, that is helpful.

>> Sure.

That would be.

>> Every carrier has to offer that as well.

>> Okay.

It's a premium payment program.

>> If you're good at budgeting things that that's going to help with your budget a lot, knowing that you spread that out over 12 months.

And this is no different than, than when you were working for someone your whole life.

Every fall, you have to have an open enrollment period and look at these things.

So you just need to be in the habit of continuing to do that after you've retired, right?

>> That's right.

Yes.

>> One misconception I hear too, I might add this real quick about open enrollment.

Enrollment period is the supplement plans aren't really part of the enrollment period.

Some people ask, where's my premium price?

Where's my notice of change on your supplement?

Generally, if you purchase a Medicare supplement plan at your birth month, which could be March, that's the time period.

It usually goes up each year is your birth month.

Whenever you purchased it.

So even though your drug plan is announcing a change of their price, your Medicare supplement plan might go up the day you purchase it at the anniversary date.

So it's a good point to bring up as well.

>> Yeah, let's see if this if this is clear to us, a caller says, I'm getting medication with a supplemental coverage, but got a letter that it is no longer covering D for prescriptions.

What are my options?

>> Yeah.

So we do know that there are some plans that are terminated.

Silverscript is one, a Health spring extra plan is the other.

So if you receive a notice that the plan is no longer being offered, you really need to go through open enrollment.

Compare the other D plans that are available and select one before December 7th.

>> Okay.

>> Calder says they have a state pension plan and Medicare Advantage.

Do you have to reapply or are there changes?

>> So with those state retirement plans, I know, I know non-medicare retirees have a required enrollment period this year.

I'm not sure about the Medicare retirees.

Check with the Kentucky Pension Authority.

And you should receive information in the mail very soon about that enrollment process.

But typically that insurance is better than what's offered through Medicare.

So, you know, I rarely see anyone leave that insurance for something with Medicare.

>> Okay.

Caller says I'm turning 75 looking for work.

If I get a job, will I have to stop drawing Social Security and Medicare?

>> You can work as much as you want after the eight.

After your full retirement age and still receive Social Security and Medicare.

If they do offer a group insurance plan, you can look at the cost comparison.

If it would be cheaper to be on Medicare, or if it would be cheaper to go on to that enrollment plan with the group share plan with the employer, but most likely stay with your Medicare and you get to stay with your Social Security.

>> Yes, especially if you're used to it and you've been happy with it, right.

>> And just be careful if they're getting any other extra benefits like the Medicare Savings program or the Medicare Extra Help program, they may lose that if they get additional income.

So make sure you know what those guidelines are.

>> Okay?

In the new Medicare 2027, it says, I have to pay more than $1,500, which is not covered.

Will my supplement through Blue Cross Blue Shield pay it?

That's a pretty specific question.

>> It's $1,500.

I'm not sure if I know exactly what that's for.

That would not be the deductible under part A, as it's slightly higher.

>> Probably to get more information on that one.

Doesn't seem like it lines up with.

I'm used to seeing.

>> Unless it's a Irma.

Are they talking about Third part B?

>> No, because it wouldn't be in the Medicare in You book you're talking about 2027 Medicare, and you wouldn't be in there.

>> We've talked before, but let's talk again.

The resources are out there.

You're all out there to help people, and you can get help from your financial advisors.

If you work with a company from from insurers that you have now, maybe from your employees, maybe from the health clinic that you go to the senior centers, there's just a lot of places out there that can help you.

So don't go with these fly by night people you don't know, just just talk more about that, about, you know, the availability that's there because you know, you know, it's confusing and that's what you want to do.

You want to help these people.

>> I would say too, something to add just because something is good for your neighbor doesn't mean it's good for you.

Everyone is different.

You know, an advantage plan might be fantastic for for you and not for someone else.

You know, supplement might work better for them.

So it's really important to go over your options, especially this time of year, because, you know, people are getting bombarded with calls.

You want to make sure that you have, you know, the right resources and the, and the right connections to help.

>> Yeah.

>> A lot of information on Facebook isn't there.

>> Oh, absolutely.

>> Absolutely.

>> But that's probably not your best source.

Okay, let's look at some more questions here.

Some of these are very similar.

I'm trying to find something a little different.

Do we know with an advantage plan what a typical copay would be?

I would say that again is all.

>> Over the place.

They really vary quite a bit.

I mean, you'll find like a copay is very low copay versus if you went to the hospital or get an MRI.

They do vary, but each company has their own particular summary of benefits.

So you can review that with the carrier.

And I would say look at your notes of changes from that carrier.

If you have a Medicare Advantage plan, it will very specifically lay out, here's your 2026 copays for each benefit.

Here's 2027 and see what the changes were.

Some years you'll see a few changes.

And if you're okay with that change, you don't have to do anything.

It will automatically renew that Medicare Advantage for the next year, and you can just keep that same plan.

But you adopt those new changes.

However, you see a lot of changes.

You want to maybe look at the competition and see what's available in your area, talk to an agent, talk to the ship office and see who can help you find a new plan.

Obviously, you can look@medicare.gov, and I think that information is somewhat limited.

So talking to a person that can help and look at these plans and see what's the best for you, but they really do vary by playing what the copays that they offer.

>> And we can't say enough.

Medicare.gov is a great place to start.

That's.

>> And make sure it's GOV at the end there.

There are other websites that kind of mirror medicare.gov.

So if it's a government agency, gov will always be at the end of that web address.

>> We have just about 30s.

But quickly talk about the plan finder tools that you'll see on that site.

>> Yeah, the plan finder tool is amazing.

You can put in your information, your your zip code, select the plan that you plan, type you want to look at, put in your medications and it will generate a report with the number of plans that are available.

>> All right.

A lot of information.

I hope this helped those people at home.

And we will post this.

This program online on ket.org.

If you want to look back at it again, share it with your neighbors.

Again, the site you want to go to is medicare.gov.

To get started, seek out help from people that you trust.

There's a lot of help out there, and remember that the enrollment period is October 15th to December 7th.

We thank you all for tuning in tonight and hope this has been helpful.

Our Medicare call in 2026.

I'm Marvin Bartlett.

Have the rest of the evening make the rest of your evening a good one?