[♪♪] >> Renee: FUNDING FOR THIS PROGRAM IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY THE KET ENDOWMENT FOR KENTUCKY PRODUCTIONS.

>> Renee: GOOD EVENING AND WELCOME TO MEDICARE ENROLLMENT CALL IN A KET FORUM.

I'M RENEE SHAW THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US TONIGHT.

FOR AMERICANS AGED 65 AND OLDER EN ROTTING IN MEDICARE CAN BE A COMPLEX AND DAUNTING UNDERTAKING.

THE OPEN ENROLLMENT PERIOD BEGINS OCTOBER 15TH AND ENDS DECEMBER 7 AND THIS IS THE TIME FOREVER THOSE ELIGIBLE TO CHOOSE A PLAN THAT FITS YOUR NEEDS AND MAKE THE BUDGET AND MAKE CHANGES TO HEALTH PLANS.

TONIGHT WE'LL HELP YOU UNDERSTAND HOW IT ALL WORKS THE COVERAGE OPTIONS AND THE ENROLL MANY PROCESS.

OUR GUESTS ARE TIHISHA RAWLINS, A SENIOR ASSOCIATE STATE DIRECTOR WITH AARP KENTUCKY.

PETE ALBERTI, AN AGENT WITH KENTUCKY HEALTH SOLUTIONS.

ANGELA ZEEK, PUBLIC BENEFITS AND OMBUDSMAN WITH LEGAL AID OF THE BLUEGRASS.

LINDSAY MEDLEY, A SOCIAL WORKER AT THE LEXINGTON SENIOR CENTER AND BLAKE ANDERSON, C.E.O.

OF TRIPLE CROWN MANAGEMENT.

WE DO WANT YOU TO GET YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED AND WE HAVE A PHONE BANK IN OUR STUDIO NEXT DOOR WITH MY COLLEAGUE CASEY PARKER BELL WHO WILL FIELD YOUR CALLS AND WE'LL TALK WITH CASEY THROUGHOUT THE PROGRAM TONIGHT.

AND WE HAVE A FEW WAYS FOR YOU TO SUBMIT YOUR QUESTIONS.

SEND AN E-MAIL TO PUBLIC AFFAIRS AT KET.ORG.

YOU CAN POST A QUESTION ON X A PUB AFFAIRS KET OR CALL 1-800-944-4664.

AND THAT INFORMATION WILL BE AT THE BOTTOM OF YOUR SCREEN TONIGHT ALL THROUGHOUT THE PROGRAM UNTIL THE FINAL 10 MINUTES OF THE PROGRAM YOU WILL HAVE THAT EASY REFERENCE TO GIVE US A CALL OR TWEET YOUR QUESTIONS ON X OR SEND US AN E-MAIL.

THANK YOU ALL FOR BEING HERE.

THIS IS AN IMPORTANT TIME OF YEAR.

OPEN ENROLLMENT IS APPROACHING AND LOTS OF PEOPLE ARE CURIOUS ABOUT MAYBE IF THEY ARE A FIRST-TIME OR ENROLLING AGAIN.

TIHISHA RAWLINS FIRST LET'S GET BASIC PRIMERS WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR MEDICARE.

>> MOST PEOPLE ARE ELIGIBLE FOR MEDICARE AT THE AGE OF 65 THEY HAVE WORKED THEIR CAREER AND PAID INTO THE SYSTEM.

THERE ARE PEOPLE ELIGIBLE FOR MEDICARE BEFORE 65 AND THEY ARE ELIGIBLE BECAUSE THEY HAVE A DISABILITY.

THEY HAVE BEEN DEEMED DISABLED THEY'VE WAITED THEIR WAITING PERIOD AND THEY, TOO, HAVE MEDICARE.

>> Renee: SO OFTEN IN CONVERSATION WE CONFLATE MEDICAID WITH MEDICARE.

DO YOU WANT TO SORT THAT OUT FOR US?

>> SURE.

MEDICAID IS A PROGRAM FOR LOW INCOME INDIVIDUALS.

THIS IS A STATE RUN PROGRAM.

IT IS A STATE AND FEDERAL PROGRAM THAT WILL PROVIDE COVERAGE FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE LOW INCOME.

MEDICARE IS A FEDERAL PROGRAM THAT IS UNIVERSAL ACROSS THE NATION WE ALL GET THE SAME THING THERE ARE OPTIONS THAT WE CAN CHOOSE.

ORIGINAL MEDICARE, PART A WE ALL GET THE SAME THING PAUSE WE'VE PAID INTO THAT AND MEDICAID IS A STATE AND FEDERAL PROGRAM THAT IS SPECIFIC TO A STATE.

>> Renee: AND IT IS COMPLEX WE'RE GOING TO SORT THROUGH AS MANY QUESTIONS AS WE CAN GET TO.

MS. LINDSAY MEDLEY THANK YOU FOR RETURNING.

YOU WERE HERE AND WE TALKED ABOUT WILLS, TRUSTS AND ESTATE PLANNING AND THE WORK YOU DO AT THE LEXINGTON SENIOR CENTER THIS IS PART OF IT.

TELL US FROM YOUR PERSPECTIVE WHAT ARE COMMON QUESTIONS THAT PEOPLE HAVE ABOUT MAKING SURE THEY ENROLL IN MEDICARE AND THE WAY THAT BEST SUITS THEIR NEEDS?

>> SOME OF THE MAIN COMMON QUESTIONS THAT I RECEIVE IS WHETHER A SUPPLEMENTAL PLAN IS BEST FOR ME OR A MEDICARE ADVANTAGE IS BEST.

AND SO HOW I TRY TO TELL PEOPLE IS THAT YOU LOOK AT YOUR PEACE OF MINDS ARE YOU COMFORTABLE PAYING A PREMIUM WHERE YOU DO IT UP FRONT FOR THE MONTH AND YOU DON'T HAVE COPAYS WHICH IS WHAT A SUPPLEMENTAL PLAN DOES OR COMFORTABLE PAYING A COPAY DEPENDING HOW OFTEN YOU SEE YOUR DOCTOR THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.

>> Renee: AND WE KNOW THERE ARE PROS AND CONNINGS OF MEDICARE ADVANTAGE AND IT CAN BE COMPLEX.

SO IN JUST A MOMENT IF WE ARE READY CASEY IS STANDING BY IN STUDIO B WHICH IS NEXT DOOR TO WHERE WE ARE RIGHT NOW.

AND CASEY PARKER BELL YOU HAVE A SPECIAL GUESTED WITH YOU?

>> THANKS.

I'M WITH ERYCA BOWMAN FROM LEGAL AID OF THE BLUEGRASS YOU WERE ONE OF THE PEOPLE ANSWERING PHONES TONIGHT.

OF THE PEOPLE YOU WORK WITH WHAT DO THEY STRUGGLE WITH THE MOST IN ENROLLING FOR MEDICARE.

>> THEY STRUGGLE JUST KNOWING WHERE TO START.

THE BEST PLACE TO START IS MEDICARE.GOV.

IT IS AN UNDERUSED RESOURCE.

PEOPLE ARE ABLE TO CREATE THEIR ACCOUNTED ON THERE.

WITH ALL OF THEIR PERSONAL INFORMATION AND THEIR NEEDS AS FAR AS MEDICARE AND THEY CAN LOOK THROUGH PLAN OPTIONS ON THEIR OWN.

AND IF SOMEONE IS NOT SUPER TECHNICALLY SAVVY OR NEED ASSISTANCE, YOU CAN CALL YOUR LOCAL SHIP COUNSELOR, STATE HEALTH INSURANCE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM AND A COUNSELOR WILL BE HAPPY TO WALK SOMEONE THROUGH AND STEP.

>> WHAT IS THE BIGGEST PROBLEM PEOPLE SHOULD LOOK OUT FOR AS THEY PLAN TO MAKE A CHOICE?

>> GET INFORMED ABOUT THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN ADVANTAGE PLANS AND REGULAR PRESCRIPTION DRUG PLANS.

I KNOW OUR PANELISTS WILL DISCUSS THAT TODAY.

BUT I DO THINK THAT THAT IS WHAT PEOPLE STRUGGLE WITH UNDERSTANDING THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN BOTH OF THOSE OPTIONS.

>> THANK YOU FOR TAKING A COUPLE MINUTES AND SHE IS HERE TO ANSWER CALLS FOR YOU.

RENEE, BACK TO YOU.

>> Renee: THANK YOU.

AND WE APPRECIATE THEIR TIME AS WELL VOLUNTEERING THEIR TIME TO HELP US UNDERSTAND THIS.

PETE CAN YOU PICK UP WHERE SHE LEFT OFF THERE?

>> WELL, AS FAR AS GETTING YOUR PLAN SAID LOOKING AT MEDICARE'S WEBSITE OR WORK WITH AN AGENT LIKE OUR OFFICE WHETHER LOOKING FOR A NEW DRUG PLAN OR MEDICARE ADVANTAGE PLAN LOOK AT THE MEDICATIONS AND SEE HOW IT'S GOING TO PRICE OUT.

>> Renee: ANGELA ZEEK IF YOU OR YOUR SPOUSE IF THEY ARE WORKING AT AGE 65 DOES MEDICARE WORK DIFFERENTLY?

WHAT SHOULD THE CONSIDERATIONS BE?

>> THERE ARE A LOT OF THINGS TO CONSIDER.

WHEN SOMEONE IS EMPLOYED AND THEY HAVE A GROUP HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE, THAT IS USUALLY BETTER THAN WHAT MEDICARE IS OFFERING.

SO INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE MEDICARE ELIGIBLE CAN CHOOSE TO OPT-OUT OF MEDICARE.

THERE ARE SOME THINGS THAT THEY NEED TO CONSIDER.

INCLUDING IF THEY HAVE AN HRA.

>> Renee: HRA.

>> STANDS FOR?

>> THE HEALTH REIMBURSEMENT ACCOUNT.

THANK YOU, PETE.

AND THERE ARE SOME TIME LIMITS REGARDING THE CONTRIBUTIONS THAT INDIVIDUALS MAKE TO THE HRA.

SO THERE'S A LOT OF THINGS TO CONSIDER.

BUT THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR PEOPLE TO POSTPONE ENROLLMENT INTO MEDICARE IF THEY ARE ENROLLED IN A GROUP HEALTH INSURANCE PLAN THROUGH A CURRENT EMPLOYER.

>> Renee: IT'S NOT AUTOMATIC AND THEY DON'T HAVE TO DO IT AT 65?

>> THEY SHOULD SIT DOWN WITH SOMEONE WHO UNDERSTANDS THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN EMPLOYER COVERAGE AND MEDICARE NO IT IS NOT AUTOMATIC.

>> Renee: Mr. BLAKE ANDERSON THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE WITH US.

MEDICARE IS DIFFERENT FOR PRIVATE INSURANCE, RIGHT, AND DOES THIS APPLY WORK DIFFERENTLY FOR COUPLES AND FAMILIES?

>> COUPLES AND FAMILIES.

WHEN IT COMES TO MEDICARE AS A WHOLE, A NEW PERSON ENROLLING IT IS A PRIVATE PLAN TO THEM.

GROUP COVERAGE MAY WITH A SPOUSE ON THEIR COVERAGE.

YOU CAN STAY ON THAT COVERAGE AND BE ENROLLED.

HOWEVER, IF YOU ARE WANTING TO ENROLL IN YOUR OWN TYPE OF SUPPLEMENT OR PLAN AFTER THAT THEN YOU HAVE TO ENROLL IN MEDICARE AND PICK A SUPPLEMENT OR ADVANTAGE PLAN.

>> Renee: RIGHT.

SO IF YOU HAVE A JOB, IF YOU OR YOUR SPOUSE HAVE A JOB AND HEALTH INSURANCE FROM A JOB, DOES THAT MATTER?

, PETE?

>> IF YOU HAVE COVERAGE THROUGH YOUR EMPLOYER DO YOU NEED TO GO TO MEDICARE AT 65.

STILL WORKING NO.

YOU CAN CONTINUE ON WITH YOUR GROUP PLAN UNTIL YOU ARE READY TO RETIRE IF YOU WANT TO COMPARE THE COST OF YOUR WORK PLAN VERSUS MEDICARE THAT IS WHAT YOU SHOULD DO.

>> Renee: ANYONE WANT TO FOLLOW-UP?

>> IT'S NOT AUTOMATIC AS YOU MENTIONED IF YOU ARE RECEIVING SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFIT YOU ARE IN THE SYSTEM AND MEDICARE WILL SEND YOU A MEDICARE CARD BECAUSE HAS A AND B ON IT.

TO KEEP GROUP HEALTH, YOU NEED 0 SEND THAT CARD BACK, DECLINE THE PART B SO YOU PRESERVE YOUR GUARANTEED ISSUE WINDOW AND THEN WHEN YOU RETIRE OR LOSE YOUR GROUP HEALTH BECAUSE YOUR SPOUSE RETIRES THEN CONTACT MEDICARE AND GET THAT BACK.

THAT IS IMPORTANT BECAUSE YOU DON'T WANT TO LOSE THAT GUARANTEED ISSUE WINDOW.

>> Renee: AND DISTINGUISH.

>> I WILL ADD IF THEY HAVE THE HRA, THEY HAVE TO DECLINE PART A AS WELL.

SO IT IS -- THEY HAVE TO DECLINE BOTH PARTS OF MEDICARE IF THEY ARE CONTINUING TO WORK AND CONTINUING TO CONTRIBUTE TO AN HRA.

SO THERE IS SOME -- THERE ARE NUANCES WHEN WE TALK ABOUT MEDICARE ENROLLMENT AND GROUP EMPLOYER COVERAGE.

>> Renee: WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN PLAN A AND PLAN B?

>> MEDICARE PART A IS YOUR HOSPITAL COVERAGE.

PART B IS THE DOCTOR VISIT COVERAGE.

PART D IS DRUGS.

SO THAT'S A, B AND D. AND THEY USED TO CALL IT PART C BUT YOUR MEDICARE ADVANTAGE PLAN.

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

I WOULD EXPAND PART B WE CALL IT DOCTOR COVERAGE BUT IT'S MEDICAL COVERAGE.

THAT IS THE COVERAGE THAT IS PAYING FOR ER VISITS, OUTPATIENT, SURGERY, OUTPATIENT THERAPY.

DURABILITY MEDICAL EQUIPMENT, AMBULANCE SERVICES.

THERE IS A LOT WHEN WE TALK ABOUT MEDICARE PART B COVERAGE.

>> Renee: THAT COVERS EVERYTHING IN TOTAL.

IS THERE ANY OUT OF POCKETED OR COPAY?

>> OH, YES.

>> AND PART C IT IS A CATCH ALL.

OVERSEEN VISION, DENTAL AND HARING.

AND THEN ALL THE EXTRAS THAT YOU HEAR ABOUT ON THE INFO COMMERCIALS.

>> Renee: LET'S TALK ABOUT WHAT THE DO YOU CALL IT SHARED RESPONSIBILITY OR COST SHARING THAT IS GOES ALONG WITH THIS.

>> MOST INDIVIDUALS IF THEY'VE WORKED AND THEY'VE PAID INTO THE FICA TAX ALSO RECEIVE MEDICARE PART A AT NO COST.

THERE IS A PREMIER FOR THOSE WHO HAVE NOT WORKED ENOUGH AND PAID ENOUGH INTO THE TAXES BUT FOR THE MAJORITY OF THE MEDICARE POPULATION PART A IS FREE.

PART B DOES COME WITH A MONTHLY PREMIUM $174.47 WHICH IS DEDUCTED FROM THE SOCIAL SECURITY ECONOMIC AND A MONTHLY PREMIUM FOR PART D WHICH PAYS FOR MEDICATIONS AND DEPENDING ON IF THEY OPT INTO A MEDICARE ADVANTAGE PLAN, SOMETIMES WE CALL THOSE MEDICARE REPLACEMENT PLANS THOSE PLANS REPLACE MEDICARE PART A AND B AND INDIVIDUAL ENROLLED INTO A PART C OR MEDICARE ADVANTAGE PLAN DOES NOT SHOW THEIR MEDICARE CARD TO THE DOCTOR OR PHARMACY OR HOSPITAL, THOSE PLANS MAY HAVE A MONTHLY PREMIUM.

WHEN WE TALK ABOUT PART A AND PART B WE CALL THAT ORIGINAL MEDICARE THERE ARE DEDUCTIBLES WITH BROUGHT OF THOSE AND THE MEDICARE ADVANTAGE PLAN MAY HAVE DEDUCTIBLES.

BUT THESE PLANS WHETHER IT IS ORIGINAL MEDICARE OR MEDICARE ADVANTAGE AND A DRUG PLAN THEY DO HAVE COPAYS AND COINSURANCE AMOUNTS THAT THE BENEFICIARY IS RESPONSIBLE TO PAY.

>> Renee: MEDICARE ADVANTAGE WHAT DOES IT MEAN, BLAKE?

>> MEDICARE ADVANTAGE, IT'S PLANS THAT ARE WITH PRIVATE INSURANCE COMPANIES LIKE ANTHEM, AETNA, HUMANNA THAT ARE OFFERED TO THE INDIVIDUAL THEY OFFER PART A, B, D ALL THE THINGS WITH THAT.

THERE MAYBE LIKE YOU SAID PREMIUMS WITH THAT IN MAYBE DEDUCTIBLES BUT THEY ARE PICKING UP THE PIECES THAT MEDICARE MIGHT NOT COVER, LIKE DENTAL, VISION HEARING.

THAT IS WHAT IS ADVANTAGEOUS IT'S GIVING THE INDIVIDUAL SOMETHING THEY MIGHT NOT HAVE OTHERWISE.

>> Renee: AND WE HEAR THERE ARE DISADVANTAGES TO MEDICARE ADVANTAGE AND WHAT ARE THOSE AND WHAT SHOULD PEOPLE CONSIDER?

>> IT IS A NETWORK AND A PAY AS YOU GO.

WITH AN ADVANTAGE PLAN YOU MAY HAVE A LOW PREMIUM BUT YOU ARE PAYING A COPAY EACH TIME.

IS IT THE RIGHT THING FOR THE CUSTOMER TO GET A PLAN THAT YOU ARE PAYING COPAYS WHEREAS A SUPPLEMENTS YOU WOULD NOT HAVE A COPAY.

IT COULD BE DRUG COSTS, DOCTOR NETWORK, JUST OUT OF POCKET.

>> Renee: WHAT ELSE WOULD MEDICARE ADVANTAGE, WE'VE HEARD PEOPLE SAY IT WILL TAKE CARE OF THIS BUT IF YOU NEED THIS IT WILL NOT TAKE CARE OF THAT?

>> AS FAR AS NURSING HOME COVERAGE OR SOMETHING WITH MORE LONG-TERM, ADVANTAGE IS NOT GOING TO FULLY COVER THAT.

IT WILL COVER UP TO 90 TO 100 DAYS BUT GOING THAT IT'S NOT GOING TO COVER THAT.

>> Renee: ANYTHING ELSE WE NEED TO CLARIFY.

>> MEDICARE ADVANTAGE DOES NOT TRAVEL WELL.

IF YOU ARE SOMEONE WHO TRAVELS OUT OF STATE, YOU MIGHT FIND THAT YOU ONLY HAVE EMERGENCY SERVICES.

WE'VE HAD MANY CLIENTS BEFORE THAT TRAVELED HERE HAD AN INJURY, AND NEEDED SURGERY, WAS ABLE TO GET THAT COVERED, BUT LONG-TERM THERAPY WAS REFUSED.

THEY HAD TO RETURN BACK TO THEIR HOME STATE.

WHICH IS DIFFICULT WHEN JUST HAD A RECENT SURGERY.

THEY DO NOT TRAVEL VERY WELL.

>> Renee: SO WOULD YOU RECOMMEND ENROLLMENT IN MEDICARE ADVANTAGE OR NOT?

IS THERE A CONSENSUS FROM THE GROUP ON THAT?

>> SO I THINK IT'S PERSONAL TO THE INDIVIDUAL.

IF YOU ARE A PERSON WHO LIVES IN KENTUCKY BUT SIX MONTHS YOU ARE ARE IN FLORIDA, IT DOESN'T TRAVEL WELL SO MAYBE MEDICARE ADVANTAGE IS NOT THE BEST CHOICE.

ORIGINAL MEDICARE WE GET THE SAME THING BUT THE ADVANTAGE PLANS ARE SPECIALIZED.

YOU SAID IT IS A NETWORK.

SO YOU ARE AGREEING TO USE A CERTAIN SET OF DOCTORS AND HOSPITALS AND PROVIDERS AND WHEN YOU GO OUTSIDE OF THAT NETWORK IT MAY NOT BE COVERED OR IT MAYBE COVERED AT A HIGHER RATE.

IT'S SPECIFIC TO THE INDIVIDUAL.

>> Renee: WE'RE GETTING GREAT QUESTIONS COMING IN.

YOU HAVE THE WAYS TO CONNECT WITH US AT THE BOTTOM OF THE SCREEN BY PHONE, BY E-MAIL OR BY POSTING A QUESTION ON X OR YOU CAN SEND ME A PERSONAL E-MAIL.

FROM PUBLIC AFFAIRS.

I HAVE GOT THIS FROM DENNIS.

CAN I ESPECIALLY KEEP MY HSA WITH MY EMPLOYER WHEN I ENROLL IN MEDICARE?

>> NO.

NO.

ACTUALLY I THINK WHAT YOU SAID WAS THAT -- YOU CAN'T CONTRIBUTE TO IT ANYMORE.

YOU CAN KEEP YOUR HSA.

>> Renee: YOU CALLED AN HRA.

>> IT IS AN HSA.

I WAS INCORRECT IT IS AN HSA.

>> Renee: HEALTH SAVINGS ACCOUNT.

HSA YOU CAN KEEP IT AND USE THE MONEY TO PAY FOR A THE OF THE COPAYS AND EXPENSES BUT YOU CANNOT CONTRIBUTE TO IT ONCE ON MEDICARE.

>> Renee: OKAY.

ANY OTHER FURTHER COMMENT ON THAT BEFORE WE MOVE ON?

ALL RIGHT.

SO WE TALKED ABOUT PART A, PART B, MEDICARE ADVANTAGE, WE'VE STILL GOT GOOD QUESTIONS THAT ARE COMING IN.

WHAT DO YOU HEAR TIHISHA RAWLINS ABOUT SOME OF THE COMMON CONCERNS OR MISSTEPS THAT PEOPLE HAVE STEPPED INTO ACCIDENTALLY THAT THEY REGRET LATER AND THINK I GOT ONE YEAR TO DEAL WITH THIS AND I CAN CHANGE IT THE NEXT YEAR.

>> THE BIGGEST THING WE HEAR IS OH, MY FRIEND, MY CHURCH MEMBER, MY HUSBAND USES THIS PLAN SO I KNOW IT'S GOOD IT MUST BE GOOD FOR ME AND IT MAY NOT BE THE CASE.

BECAUSE NOW THAT WE HAVE MEDICARE PART D WHERE THE PLAN IS SPECIFIC TO THE MEDICATIONS YOU TAKE IT COULD BE TOTALLY DIFFERENT WHAT IS APPROPRIATE FOR YOU THAN WHAT IS APPROPRIATE FOR YOUR HUSBAND OR FRIEND OR CHURCH MEMBER.

BECAUSE THEY MAYBE TAKING SOMETHING DIFFERENT.

WE STRESS THAT IT'S IMPORTANT TO GO ON-LINE, GO TO MEDICARE.GOV OR AN AGENCY PUT YOUR MEDICATIONS IN AND YOUR SITUATION AND LET THE COMPUTER TELL YOU WHAT IS THE BEST PLAN.

YOU DON'T NEED TO GUESS AND GO BY WHAT YOUR FRIEND IS DOING.

IT'S SPECIFIC TO THE INDIVIDUAL.

>> Renee: GOOD ADVICE.

HERE ARE A FEW QUESTIONS.

IF AN INDIVIDUAL CHOOSES MEDICARE ADVANTAGE AND THEY CAN AFFORD IT, WHY IS IT THEY CANNOT ALSO HAVE MEDICARE SUPPLEMENT PLAN F OR G?

WE HAVE NOT GOTTEN THAT FAR YET.

WHO WANTS TO FIELD THIS ONE.

>> IT'S ONE OF TWO ROADS GO WITH THE SUPPLEMENTS PLAN OR THE MEDICARE ADVANTAGE ROUTE IT'S NOT BOTH.

THE ONE NICE PART OF THE ADVANTAGE IT IS AN ALL IN ONE PLAN, HOSPITAL, MEDICAL, PRESCRIPTIONS AND THE EXTRA BENEFITS.

IT'S NEWLY IN ONE PLAN AND IT HAS A NETWORK PROVIDERS OF THE DOCTORS YOU NEED TO USE.

SUPPLEMENTSES THAT IS THE OTHER ROUTE.

SUPPLEMENT AND DRUG PLAN AND YOU ARE FREE ANYWHERE YOU WOULD LIKE TO GO.

>> PLAN G OR F. F HAS BEEN ELIMINATED AS OF TWENTS BUT PLAN G IS THE CADILLAC PLAN THE BETTER OF THE SUPPLEMENT PLANS ON THE MARKETPLACE.

>> PLAN F WAS DISCONTINUED IN 2020 BECAUSE PEOPLE WERE GETTING SICK.

SO WITH PLAN G YOU ALSO HAVE YOU DON'T HAVE COPAYS SPECIFICALLY WITH PLAN G OR VERY LITTLE.

PLAN N YOU HAVE COPAYS WITH THAT.

>> Renee: PLAN N. WILL WE GET TO Z.

>> THE ALPHABET OF PLANS UNDERNEATH THE SUPPLEMENTAL PLAN BUT IT DOES NOT COME WITH THE EXTRAS, IF DENTAL, VISION AND HEARING THAT IS SOMETHING YOU HAVE TO BUY SEPARATELY.

>> I WOULD ADD THAT THE PLAN F THERE ARE MANY, MANY PEOPLE STILL ENROLLED IN PLAN F THOSE ARE STILL WORKING AS THEY HAVE ALWAYS WORKED.

YOU JUST THEY CAN'T ACCEPT NEW ENROLLMENTS.

THEY STOPPED JANUARY 1 OF 2020.

BUT THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE WHO STILL HAVE THE PLAN.

>> Renee: THEY ARE GRANDFATHERED IN.

AND THAT IS IN PERPETUITY THERE IS NO TERMINATION DATE?

>> THEY NEED TO BE WATCHING THE PREMIUMS.

AND IN KENTUCKY WE NOW HAVE THE ABILITY TO AROUND THE BIRTH EACH INDIVIDUAL'S BIRTHDAY THEY CAN COMPARE OTHER SUPPLEMENT POLICIES AND THEY MIGHT BE ABLE TO MOVE TO A CHEAPER POLICY IF THOSE PREMIUMS ARE STARTING TO GET HIGH.

>> Renee: WHAT DID YOU SAY THE PREMIUMS?

>> THEY ARE GOING UP TO ALMOST $300 WITH PLAN F, THE PRICES HAVE NOT STAYED THE SAME IT'S CONTINUING TO INCREASE.

>> PREMIUMS ARE BASED ON AGE THEY WILL GO UP AS THE PERSON GETS OLDER.

>> Renee: IS MEDICARE FREE AFTER AGE 65?

>>DEPENDS HOW YOU DEFINE FREE?

>> I WOULD SAY THAT IF YOU'VE WORKED OR QUARTERS AND PUT IN AND PAID YOUR TAXES THEN YOUR PART A IS PREMIUM FREE.

PART B YOU HAVE THAT PREMIUM $174.70 FOR THE REST OF THIS YEAR.

AND UNLESS YOU ARE ON SOME TYPE OF MEDICAID ASSISTANCE THROUGH THE MEDICARE SAVINGS PROGRAM YOU WILL PAY THAT PART B PREMIUM MONTHLY.

>> Renee: DO THE PREMIUMS INFLATE BASED ON CPI?

OR HOW ARE THEY DETERMINEED?

>> BY THE PRICE INDEX.

>> Renee: THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX.

>> AND THAT IS A STATUTORY LAW ON THE BOOKS SINCE THE 70s IS WHAT I UNDERSTAND.

BUT THERE HAVE BEEN OCCURRENCES OVER THE YEARS WHERE WE DID NOT HAVE AN INCREASE IN THE MONTHLY PREMIUM BUT TYPICALLY, THAT PREMIUM WILL INCREASE EVERY YEAR.

>> Renee: ALL RIGHT.

NEXT QUESTION FROM A VIEWER I HAVE MEDICARE/MEDICAID, HERE IS ALPHABET SOUP, QMB, HMO WELL CARES DO YOU USE ONE OF THESE IF YOU ARE APPROVED FOR IN-HOME SERVICES FOR DAILY LIVING.

>> YOU DO NOT.

IT'S GREAT.

THE MEDICARE SAVINGS PROGRAM KNOWN AS QMB, QUALIFIED MEDICARE BENEFICIARIES IF YOU YOUR INCOME IS NO HIGHER THAN 1235 A MONTH, YOU QUALIFY FOR AN INDIVIDUAL, YOU QUALIFY FOR BOTH MEDICARE AND MEDICAID.

SO THAT MEANS YOU HAVE NO COPAYS YOU CAN GET WHAT THEY CALL A SPECIAL NEEDS PLAN WITH AN ADVANTAGE AS WELL.

SO YOU DO NOT LOSE YOUR WAIVER SERVICES WITH THAT.

THAT IS HOW YOU GET WAIVER SERVICES.

>> Renee: OKAY.

GOOD CLARIFICATION.

ANYONE ELSE WANT TO CONTRIBUTE ON THAT.

THE NEXT QUESTION: ARE THERE BETTER SERVICE PROVIDERS IN 2025?

WERE THERE NOT GOOD SERVICE PROVIDERS IN 2024?

>> I THINK THEY ARE PROBABLY TALKING ABOUT THE NETWORK.

WANT TO KNOW IF THE NETWORKS HAVE EXPANDED AND WHAT WE TELL EVERYONE WE WORK WITH IS YOU SHOULD DOUBLE-CHECK WITH YOUR PROVIDERS SPECIFICALLY TO SEE IF THEY ARE GOING TO ACCEPT THE INSURANCE.

AND IN NORTHERN KENTUCKY WE HAVE A LARGE MEDICAL PROVIDER THAT WILL NO LONGER CONTRACT WITH SOME OF THE MEDICARE ADVANTAGE PLANS.

AND THEY'VE DONE A GREAT JOB OF NOTIFYING THE PATIENTS.

BUT THEY REALLY NEED TO CONFIRM WHO IS IN THEIR NETWORK BEFORE THEY RECEIVE SERVICES.

>> Renee: I WAS GOING TO ASK, DO THE COMPANIES COULD THEY NOTIFY THE BENEFICIARY OR DO YOU HAVE TO SEARCH THAT INFORMATION OUT?

>> SO THEY DO THE PLANS ARE REQUIRED TO SEND AN ANNUAL NOTICE OF CHANGE AND EVIDENCE OF COVERAGE DOCUMENT TO THEIR MEMBERS.

TYPICALLY, MEMBERS WILL RECEIVE THAT BY OCTOBER 15TH OF EACH YEAR.

AND EMBEDDED IN THAT YOU MIGHT BE ABLE TO FIND THE CHANGES ARE VERY DIFFICULT, I THINK, SMALL PRINT, A LOT OF INFORMATION COMES IN THOSE TWO DOCUMENTS.

IT'S BEST JUST TO CALL THE PROVIDER.

>> Renee: OKAY.

SQUARED AWAY ON THAT.

COUPLE E-MAILS HERE.

HOW DOES THE $2,000 CAP ON DRUG COSTS WORK?

>> THAT'S A GREAT BENEFIT FOR THIS YEAR IT IS.

THIS PAST YEAR WAS THE 2024 THIS YEAR WAS THE FIRST YEAR HAD A COMPANY OF $3300 WAS MAX FOR CONSUMERS.

NOW WE'RE GOING TO $2,000 PART OF THE INFLATION REDUCTION ACT.

ANY PLAN YOU GET PART D OR MEDICARE ADVANTAGE THAT IS MAXIMUM OUT OF POCKET ON PRESCRIPTION DRUGS AND THAT IS HUGE.

>> Renee: THAT IS MAXIMUM OUT OF POCKET.

OKAY.

>> FOR FORMULARY KRUGS I WILL ADD.

THAT IS WHY THEY NEED TO CHECK AND MAKE SURE THAT THE PLANS ARE PAYING FOR THEIR MEDICATION BECAUSE THE CAP ONLY IS FOR FORMULATED DRUGS, DRUGS THAT THE PLAN WILL COVER.

SO THEY WOULD HAVE TO PAY OUT OF POCKET FOR NON-FORMULARY MEDICATIONS.

>> Renee: DOES IT AFFECT THEIR BRANDS OF CHOICE?

>> CERTAIN PLANS WILL COVER PRESCRIPTIONS THAT ARE COVERED NOT COVERED AND NON-FORMULARY IF IT IS NOT ON ANY PLAN YOU HAVE TO GET AN EXCEPTION.

SOME PLANS WILL LOOK AT THE PRESCRIPTIONS.

>> Renee: IS IT DIFFICULT TO GET AN EXCEPTION?

IS IT RARE TO GET AN EXCEPTION.

>> IT IS NOT RARE.

>> YOU HAVE TO WORK THROUGH YOUR PROVIDER TO GET THAT EXCEPTION.

>> Renee: ARE MEDICARE ADVANTAGE PLANS AVAILABLE ON THE KENTUCKY HEALTH EXCHANGE?

>> NO.

THIS IS ALL MEDICARE RELATED.

THE KENTUCKY HEALTH EXCHANGE OR CONNECT THAT IS A STATE BASED INSURANCE PROGRAM.

THAT'S COMPLETELY SEPARATE THAN MEDICARE.

>> Renee: GOOD QUESTION AND GOOD RESPONSE THERE.

THIS PERSON SAYS I HAVE A FRIEND WHOSE INCOME IS JUST ABOVE THE LIMIT FOR ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS.

CAN MEDICAID ASSIST WITH HER COPAYS FOR MEDICARE AND PREMIUMS FOR PART B?

>> GOOD QUESTION.

SMART FOLKS HERE.

>> THE ONLY WAY IS TO GO TO THE MEDICAID OFFICE AND APPLY FOR THE MEDICARE SAVINGS PROGRAM AND SEE IF THEY WOULD QUALIFY FOR ASSISTANCE.

OTHER THAN THAT I CAN'T THINK OF ANY OTHER WAY FOR THE PART B PREMIUM TO BE PAID.

>> QUALIFIED INDIVIDUALS IF THEIR INCOME IS NO HIGHER THAN 1660 SHE COULD QUALIFY FOR IT.

>> 1660, FOR QUALIFIED INDIVIDUALS UNDERNEATH THE MEDICARE SAVINGS PLANS.

THERE'S THREE TIERS TO IT YOU HAVE QUALIFIED MEDICARE BENEFICIARIES, SLMB, SPECIALFIED LOW INCOME MEDICARE BENEFICIARIES AND QUALIFIED INDIVIDUALS.

I DON'T WANT PEOPLE TO GET HUNG UP ON INCOME GUIDELINES THERE ARE GUIDELINES FOR MOST OF THE BENEFITS BUT NOT EVERY DOLLAR IS COUNTED.

I DON'T WANT PEOPLE TO EXCLUDE THEMSELVES.

THEY SHOULD SEEK MORE INFORMATION.

THERE IS INFORMATION ABOUT THE MEDICARE SAVINGS PROGRAMS ON MEDICARE.GOV.

MAKE SURE THAT YOU ARE GOING TO THE CORRECT WEB BECAUSE THERE ARE IMPOSTER WEBSITES.

AND YOU FIND MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE MEDICARE SAVINGS PROGRAMS.

>> Renee: MEDICARE.GOV.

A PHONE CALLER ASKED THIS WHAT IS A DOUGHNUT HOLE FOR PRESCRIPTION MEDICATION?

>> IT'S GOING AWAY.

>> IT'S GONE.

>> Renee: WHAT WAS IT AND WHY IS IT GOING AWAY?

>> SO THE DOUGHNUT HOLE WAS A TIME IN THE YEAR WHERE YOU DNTSD'S HAVE PRESCRIPTION DRUG COVERAGE.

WHATEVER PLAN YOU CHOSE PART D PLAN YOU CHOSE WOULD PAY THEIR PART AND YOU PAY YOUR COPAY TO A CERTAIN DOLLAR AMOUNT AND I DON'T KNOW THAT AMOUNT OFF THE TOP OF MY HEAD AND THEN THEY WOULDN'T PAY.

AND THE BENEFICIARY HAD TO PAY ALL OF IT.

AND WHEN YOU GOT TO ANOTHER DOLLAR AMOUNT, LET'S SAY $5,000.

>> 5030.

>> THEN YOU WOULD HAVE COVERAGE AND THE PLAN WOULD KICKBACK IN.

IN THE MIDDLE WITH NO COVERAGE WE CALL THAT THE DOUGHNUT HOLE AND WE HAVE BEEN CLOSING THAT OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS.

>> Renee: NOW IT'S CLOSED.

THAT IS NOT A THING FOR 2005.

>> CORRECT.

>> THANKS TO THE INFLATION REDUCTION ACT OF 2022 NOW THAT $2,000 CAP.

>> Renee: WHEN MEDICARE OWES YOU MONEY, HOW DO YOU COLLECT THE MONEY FROM THEM?

AND WHO IS HOLDING THIRD PARTY PRIVATE COMPANIES ACCOUNTABLE?

>> SO WELL, WHAT I WOULD SAY IS IF MEDICARE OWES MONEY, THEY USE SOCIAL SECURITY TO DEDUCT THE MONTHLY PREMIUMS.

IF THE MONEY THEY ARE REFERRING TO IS THE MONTHLY PREMIUM FOR SOME REASON, THEN THEY WILL GET THAT REIMBURSEMENT FROM THE SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION.

THE SAME WAY THEY RECEIVE THEIR SOCIAL SECURITY CHECK THAT HAPPENS WHEN PEOPLE GET ON THE MEDICARE SAVINGS PROGRAM AND SOCIAL SECURITY CANNOT STOP THAT WITHHOLDING ON A DIME.

SO THEY DO NEED TO ISSUE A REIMBURSEMENT.

SO I'M GOING TO ASSUME THIRD PARTY THE REFERENCE TO THE THIRD PARTY ENTITIES IS INVOLVING MARKETING.

>> Renee: IT'S NOT CLEAR HERE WHO THE THIRD PARTY IS.

>> IF THE QUESTION IS ABOUT THE THIRD PARTY MARKETERS, THE CENTERS FOR MEDICARE AND MEDICAID SERVICES THEY'VE CHANGED REGULATIONS.

THERE WAS LOOPHOLES THAT ALLOWED COLD CALLING COLD CALLING IS WHERE THE BENEFICIARY DID NOT ASK THE COMPANY TO CALL THEY CALLED THEM AND TRYING TO SELL INSURANCE OR GIVE THEM ADDITIONAL INFORMATION SO THEY ARE CLOSING THOSE LOOPHOLES CLOSING THOSE GAPS TO GET THOSE THIRD PARTIES MORE REGULATED.

>> Renee: BECAUSE THERE IS A QUESTION ABOUT SCAMMERS IS THAT A CONCERN WHEN IT COMES TO THIS ISSUE?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

>> YES.

>> Renee: HOW DO YOU MAKE SURE THEY ARE LEGIT?

OR THEY DON'T EVER CALL YOU, RIGHT?

>> WELL, I WOULD SAY IF SOMEONE IS CALLING YOU AND YOU DIDN'T ASK THEM TO CALL, THAT IS A PROBLEM.

MARKETING REGULATIONS STATE THAT BENEFICIARIES SHOULD ONLY BE CALLED IF THEY HAVE ASKED A COMPANY TO CALL THEM.

THEY CAN'T GO TO THEIR DOOR AND KNOCK ON THEIR DOOR UNLESS THEY WERE ASKED TO COME TO THEIR HOME.

WE HAVE HAD ISSUES LIKE THAT IN KENTUCKY.

MY OWN UNCLE WAS A VICTIM OF ONE OF THESE COLD CALLING SITUATIONS WHERE HE CHANGED HIS INSURANCE AND THEN COULDN'T GET HIS MEDICATIONS.

SO IT DOES AFFECT A NUMBER OF PEOPLE.

IF YOU DON'T KNOW WHO THEY ARE, YOU DIDN'T ASK THEM TO CALL DON'T GIVE OVER YOUR MEDICARE NUMBER OR PERSONAL INFORMATION JUST HANG UP THE PHONE.

>> Renee: GOOD ADVICE ON LOTS OF THINGS.

THIS E-MAIL TO OUR PUBLIC AFFAIRS LINE, IS THERE A LIST OF THE DRUG FORMULARIES POSTED ANYWHERE LIST OF COVERED DRUGS IF A DRUG IS NOT COVERED IN A PART D PLAN WOULD IT POSSIBLY BE COVERED IN AN ADVANTAGE PLAN?

>> BANKER.GOV HAS ALL THE DRUGS FOR ALL THE PLANS.

YOU CAN GO TO THE CARRIER.

MEDICARE.GOV AND YOU RUN THE LIST OF MEDICATIONS EVERY PLAN NEEDS TO HAVE THE PRESCRIPTIONS LISTED.

AND WHAT THE COST S GO AND LOOK ON THAT FOR 2005 IS KEY FOR NEXT YEAR.

2025.

>> Renee: DOES PART D PREMIUM COST APPLY TO THE $2,000 OUT OF POCKET CAP?

>> NO.

IT IS OUT OF POCKET COST YOUR DEDUCTIBLE AND COPAYS GOES TOWARDS THE $2,000.

>> Renee: THANK YOU ALL THESE ARE GOOD QUESTIONS.

THANK YOU TO THE VIEWERS AT HOME AND THE LINE IS ACTIVE, THE 1-800 NUMBER YOU CAN CALL THERE.

YOU CAN SEND US AN E-MAIL AS WE'VE BEEN GETTING A LOT AND YOU CAN POST A QUESTION ON X AND WE'RE MONITORING THAT.

IN THE STUDIO IS CASEY PARKER BELL.

TAKE IT AWAY.

>> I'M WITH JUSTIN AULDS FROM KENTUCKY HEALTH SOLUTIONS.

COULD YOU GIVE PEOPLE A FEW TIPS WHAT THEY SHOULD THINK ABOUT AS THEY CONSIDER WHETHER IT'S THE RIGHT OPTION.

>> KEEP IN MIND THAT MEDICARE IS VERY INDIVIDUALIZED.

SO THE SAME PLAN IS NOT GOING TO BE RIGHT FOR EVERY PERSON.

KEEP IN MIND YOUR POTENTIAL HEALTHCARE COSTS COPAYS THE MAX OUT OF POCKETS ON PLANS.

LOOK AT THE EXTRAS THEY THROW IT THE DOCTOR NETWORKS IS A BIG THING BECAUSE THERE ARE DIFFERENT NETWORKS.

IT'S IMPORTANT TO KNOW WHERE YOU CAN GO AND MAKING SURE YOU ARE LOOKING AT YOUR PRESCRIPTION COSTS WITH ALL THE CHANGES COMING FOR THE NEXT YEAR WITH THE NEW DESIGN AROUND THAT.

>> IS THERE ONE THING IN PARTICULAR THAT IS THE BIGGEST THING TO THINK ABOUT?

>> IT'S HARD TO PUT IT IN THAT THE WAY I TRY TO WALK THROUGH WE LOOK AT WHAT YOU NEED, THE PRESCRIPTION SONS AND DOCTORS AND FROM THERE WE WILL LOOK AT THE EXTRAS.

WHAT YOU NEED IS WHAT KEEPS YOU ALIVE.

THE PRESCRIPTIONS AND DOCTORS.

>> JUSTIN THANK YOU FOR TAKING A COUPLE MINUTES.

AND JUSTIN IS ANSWERING CALLS TONIGHT.

BACK TO YOU.

>> Renee: THANK YOU.

AND THANKS TO JUSTIN AND THE OTHERS DOING THAT WORK TONIGHT FOR US.

KEEP ON THE THEME OF THE MEDICARE ADVANTAGE PLAN THIS QUESTION WAS POSTED ON SOCIAL MEDIA.

IF ONE ENROLLS IN A PRIVATE MEDICARE ADVANTAGE PLAN CAN YOU CHOOSE YOUR DOCTOR AND PREFERRED HOSPITAL?

>> YOU CAN.

YES.

>> Renee: ALL THE TIME?

>> AS LONG AS IT'S IN THE NETWORK.

>> Renee: LET'S TALK ABOUT IN NETWORK VERSUS OUT-OF-NETWORK.

>> THERE'S TWO TYPES.

HMO HUMAN MAINTENANCE ORGANIZATION.

HOMEBODY IN NETWORK AND PPO PREFERRED PROVIDER.

MEANING THAT YOU CAN GO OUTSIDE OF THAT NETWORK AND POTENTIALLY STILL HAVE COVERAGE.

AND WHAT I MEAN BY THAT THERE'S DIFFERENT OUT OF POCKET COSTS FOR EACH.

SO FOR A PPO, YOU HAVE TWO DIFFERENT PRICES.

UP WITH FOR IN NETWORK AND ONE FOR OUT-OF-NETWORK.

IT IS NOT WHAT YOU COULD PAY IT'S -- WHAT YOU SHOULD PAY BUT IT'S WHAT YOU COULD PAY.

ESSENTIALLY ALL THE COPAYS THAT YOU ACCRUE THROUGHOUT THE YEAR GOES TOWARDS THE MAXIMUM OUT OF POCKET.

AND YOU HAVE THOSE INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF NETWORK COSTINGS.

YOU ARE WORKING TOWARDS A LARGER GOAL WITH A PPO THAN AN MPO.

>> Renee: MAKES SENSE.

>> AND THE PPO IS THE NATIONWIDE NETWORK WE TALKED ABOUT TRAVELING HMO IS LOCALIZED AND PPO IS A NATIONWIDE NETWORK THAT WILL HELP YOU GO TO FLORIDA IF YOU ARE A SNOWBIRD AND ALLOWS YOU TO GO THERE.

IF YOU HAVE A NETWORK IN FLORIDA YOU CAN USE THAT USUALLY.

>> Renee: IF ONE DID NOT SIGN UP FOR A DRUG PLAN D AT AGE 65 CAN ONE ENROLL LATER WHEN OLDER WITH MORE PRESCRIPTIONS?

>> YES.

BUT IT'S GOING TO COST A LOT MORE.

>> Renee: A LOT MORE?

>> WHEN A PERSON DELAYS ENROLLMENT INTO PART D, THE DRUG BENEFIT, AND THEY DID NOT HAVE ANY TYPE OF CREDIBLE COVERAGE WHICH MEANS COVERAGE THAT IS EQUAL TO MEDICARE, THEN THEY WILL BE PENALIZED AND THEY ARE PENALIZED FOR EVERY MONTH THEY WENT WITHOUT COVERAGE.

SO IT CAN BE QUITE SIGNIFICANT.

FOR SOMEONE WHO MIGHT HAVE GONE WITHOUT COVERAGE SINCE JANUARY 1 OF 2006 WHICH WAS THE FIRST DAY WE HAD PRESCRIPTION DRUG COVERAGE UNDER MEDICARE, THEY ARE LOOKING AT A PENALTY WELL OVER $80 A MONTH, I WOULD SAY.

THAT'S THEIR PREMIUM PLUS THE PENALTY.

IT IS NOT ADVISABLE.

I TELL PEOPLE TO LOOK AT PRESCRIPTION DRUG COVERAGE LIKE THEY DO AUTO INSURANCE OR HOMEOWNERS INSURANCE NOT ALWAYS FILING A CLAIM BUT YOU WANT IT WHEN YOU ARE IN A CAR WRECK OR A FIRE IN YOUR HOME.

SO YOU HAVE TO LOOK AT IT AS CATASTROPHIC COVERAGE EVEN IF YOU ARE NOT TAKING MEDICATIONS.

>> Renee: GOOD.

IF YOU HAVE ADVANTAGE PLAN AND THE INSURER DENIES THE TREATMENT PRESCRIBED BY YOUR DOCTOR, WHAT CAN YOU DO?

>> PUT IN APPEAL FOR IT THROUGH THE COMPANY.

MOST OF THE PRIVATE INSURANCE COMPANIES HAVE AN APPEALS PROCESS THEY WILL SEND YOU A LITTER THIS DRUG WAS NOT COVERED úIF.

CALL THE MEMBER SERVICES AS WELL.

>> Renee: WHAT IS THE SUCCESS RATE OF HAVING YOUR APPEAL?

>> IT DEPENDS.

>> I HEARD A TERM OF 85%.

A LOT CAN BE APPEALED AND APPROVED.

BECAUSE ONE THING PEOPLE DON'T UNDERSTAND ABOUT MEDICARE ADVANTAGE THE DIAGNOSTIC CODES ARE MUCH MORE SPECIFIC, IF IT'S NOT SPECIFIC ENOUGH YOU HAVE TO GET THE SPECIFIC CODES.

>> Renee: THIS QUESTION OR STATEMENT.

I AM 65 AND PLAN TO WORK UNTIL I REACH 100% SOCIAL SECURITY FULL RETIREMENT AGE.

I AM IN THE LAST MONTH OF MY SIX MONTH WINDOW TO SIGN UP FOR MEDICARE.

SINCE I PLAN TO CONTINUE TO WORK DO I NEED TO ENROLL IN MEDICARE?

>> I THINK IT ALL DEPENDS ON THE SITUATION.

THEY CAN DEFINITELY DELAY ENROLLING INTO PART B.

IF THEY HAVE GROUP EMPLOYER COVERAGE.

IF THEY ARE CONTRIBUTING TO AN HSA THEY NEED TO CONSIDER THEIR OPTIONS AND POTENTIALLY NOT ENROLL IN PART A.

BUT IF THEY ARE NOT CONTRIBUTING TO AN HSA, THEN THEY CAN ENROLL IN PART A AND HAVE THEIR EMPLOYER COVERAGE MOST LIKELY PAYING FIRST.

AND THEN THE PART A BENEFIT PAYING SECOND SHOULD THEY NEED HOSPITALIZATION.

>> Renee: OKAY.

RETIREE HAS A AND B SUPPLEMENT AND LOOKING TO GO BACK TO WORK.

DOES HE KEEP HIS AARP INSURANCE WHEN HE GOES BACK TO WORK IF HE GOES ON EMPLOYER'S INSURANCE SHOULD HE KEEP BOTH?

AARP LADY I WILL LET YOU RESPOND.

>> AARP DOES NOT HAVE INSURANCE.

PROBABLY REFERRING TO UNITED HEALTHCARE WHO DOES USE OUR NAME IN THEIR ADVERTISEMENTS.

I ACTUALLY I DON'T KNOW.

IF YOU HAVE GROUP HEALTH, BEFORE YOU TURN 65 THAT THAT'S EASY FOR ME.

I DON'T KNOW IF YOU GO BACK TO WORK, I MEAN YOU CAN'T DROP YOUR MEDICARE ONCE YOU TAKE IT?

>> YES, YOU CAN.

YOU CAN, BUT IT DEPENDS HOW LONG ARE YOU GOING TO WORK.

YOU HAVE YOUR PLAN IT'S IN PLACE.

DRO HOW LONG ARE YOU GOING TO BE AT WORK?

YOU CAN RETURN YOUR PART B BACK TO MEDICARE AND DISCONTINUE YOUR SUPPLEMENT PLAN.

YOU CAN DO THAT.

>> THINK THAT IS HARD WHEN YOU ARE TRYING TO REENROLL INTO MEDICARE.

>> Renee: IS IT TRICKIER?

>> TRICKIER.

>> YES.

>> Renee: NEXT QUESTION I'VE BEEN ON MEDICARE ADVANTAGE PLAN FOR SEVEN YEARS AND IT'S WORKING GREAT.

I KNOW THE PROS BUT ARE THERE ANY CONS?

>> ONE OF THE BIGGEST LIKE WE TALKED ABOUT IS THE NETWORK.

MAKING SURE THAT YOUR DOCTORS ARE IN NETWORK.

IN THE PAST YEAR SOME OF THE MAIN HOSPITALS OR ONE OF THE MAJOR HOSPITALS WEREN'T IN NETWORK AND IT CAUSED TROUBLE FOR A LOT OF PATIENTS WHEN THEY GOT A LETTER THAT SAID YOUR DOCTOR IS NO LONGER IN NETWORK.

THAT IS ONE OF THE BIGGEST ONES ANOTHER ONE WITH THE CHANGES COMING MAKING SURE YOUR MEDICATIONS ARE COVERED LIKE BEFORE.

CHECKING THE FORMULARIES.

CHECKING THE PREMIUMS MAKING SURE THERE ARE NOT SNEAKY CHANGES THAT YOU MIGHT NOT SEE ON THE SURFACE.

>> Renee: I'VE BEEN ON MEDICATION -- ONE CALLER WOULD LIKE PANELISTS TO CLARIFY WHO HOSPITALS YOU CAN GO TO WITH REGULAR MEDICARE VERSUS MEDICARE ADVANTAGE PLAN?

>> I WOULD SAY ALMOST EVERY HOSPITAL IN THE UNITED STATES ACCEPTS MEDICARE ORIGINAL MEDICARE PART A AND PART B. MEDICARE ADVANTAGE THEY HAVE TO SIGN A CONTRACT WITH THE INSURANCE PROVIDER FOR MEDICARE ADVANTAGE.

SO THERE ARE SOME COMPANIES OR SOME HOSPITALS WE KNOW ARE NOT SIGNING CONTRACTS WITH CERTAIN PROVIDERS.

SOS IT'S REALLY HARD TO GIVE A SPECIFIC ANSWER WE HAVE TO LOOK AT THE PLAN OPTIONS AND SEE WHAT IS ACCEPTED BY THE HOSPITALS.

>> Renee: ARE THERE SPECIALTIES THEY ARE NOT PROVIDING COVERAGE FOR?

WHY IS THE REASON NOT CERTAIN PROVIDERS ARE NOT?

>> WHAT I UNDERSTAND FROM THE MEDICAL PROVIDERS IS THAT THERE ARE CONCERNS WITH REIMBURSEMENT RATES FROM CERTAIN MEDICARE ADVANTAGE PLAN PROVIDERS.

BUT ALSO THE TIMELINESS OF PAYMENTS WHICH THEN CAUSES OTHER ISSUES FOR THE PROVIDER.

>> Renee: RIGHT.

THIS PERSON 66-YEAR-OLD WONDERING IF STILL EMPLOYED AND HAVE MEDICARE A AND B PLUS WORK INSURANCE ARE YOU BETTER OFF TO GET A SUPPLEMENT OR MAINTAIN WORK INSURANCE?

>> I THINK THAT REALLY IS DEPENDENT ON HOW MUCH THE EMPLOYER COVERAGE IS.

AND IF THEY ARE ENROLLED IN PART B, ALREADY, THEN THAT MEANS THEY NO LONGER HAVE A MEDICARE SUPPLEMENT OPEN ENROLLMENT PERIOD WHICH MAKES THEM SUBJECT TO MEDICAL UNDERWRITING.

WHEN WE TALK ABOUT MEDICARE SUPPLEMENT POLICIES IF YOU DON'T GET A POLICY WHEN YOU ARE FIRST ELIGIBLE, THEN THEY CAN ASK YOU MEDICAL HISTORY QUESTIONS AND DENY COVERAGE OR SET THE PREMIUMS BASED ON THE ANSWERS.

THAT IS WHY WE TELL PEOPLE WHO ARE CONTINUING TO WORK DELAY THAT ENROLLMENT TO PART B BECAUSE WHEN YOU WANT TO FULLY RETIRE NO LONGER HAVE EMPLOYER COVERAGE THEN YOU HAVE ACCESS TO THE MEDICARE SUPPLEMENT PLAN.

THAT PROBABLY REQUIRES MORE THE NEED FOR MORE INFORMATION COLLECTION TO GIVE A GOOD ANSWER.

>> IT COMES THE A COST, TOO.

WHAT IS THE COST FOR A WORK PLAN IF THE COST IS LOWER WHY GET PART B IF YOU HAVE THE COVERAGE THROUGH THE EMPLOYER.

IF IT'S EXPENSIVE THEN IT'S BETTER TO GET A SUPPLEMENTAL PLAN WITH YOUR PART B.

>> Renee: HOW DO I GET ASSISTANCE WITH MEDICARE COSTS?

>> SO I THINK YOU CAN APPLY FOR EXTRA HELP.

YOU CAN IN REGARDS TO YOUR PRESCRIPTION COVERAGE.

YOU CAN APPLY FOR THE MEDICARE SAVINGS PROGRAM.

BUT THAT IS A HUGE BENEFIT TO HELP GET THAT PART B PREMIUM PAID FOR AND THE EXTRA ASSISTANCE WHEN IT COMES TO DRUG DEDUCTIBLES OR MEDICATION COSTS.

I WOULD SAY DEFINITELY, TALK WITH THE MEDICAID OFFICE THAT IS MY GO TO.

>> THE MEDICAID OFFICE.

>> THE MEDICARE EXTRA HELP BENEFIT WHO LOWERS THE DRUG PLAN PREMIUM AND LOWERS THE MEDICATION COST AT THE PHARMACY THAT IS NOT OFFERED THROUGH THE LOCAL MEDICAID OFFICE OR DEPARTMENT FOR COMMUNITY-BASED SERVICES.

THAT IS -- THE MEDICARE SHIP PROGRAMS ACROSS THE STATE HELP PEOPLE ENROLL INTO THE MEDICARE EXTRA HELP BENEFIT BUT ALSO THE SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION.

AND THEN THE MEDICARE SAVINGS PROGRAMS THAT IS A PARTIAL MEDICAID BENEFIT AND THAT IS CONDUCTED THE PROCESSING AGENCY IS THE LOCAL DEPARTMENT FOR COMMUNITY-BASED SERVICES.

>> Renee: UNDERSTOOD.

A FEDERAL RETIREE WITH FEDERAL INSURANCE AND ALSO WORK FOR STATE GOVERNMENT.

I SIGNED UP IN AUGUST FOR MEDICARE PARTS A AND B HAVEN'T RECEIVED A CARD YET.

SHOULD I BE CONCERNED?

>> I WOULDN'T BE.

>> THEY CAN CHECK BY CALLING THE SOCIAL SECURITY OFFICE.

THE SOCIAL SECURITY IS GOING TO HANDLE YOUR MEDICARE.

IF YOU FEEL LIKE YOU SHOULD HAVE GOTTEN YOUR CARD CHECK WITH SOCIAL SECURITY FIRST AND THEY SHOULD HAVE IT ON RECORD.

>> Renee: YOU CAN ENROLL IN MEDICARE AT ANY POINT THERE IS AN OPEN ENROLLMENT PERIOD.

>> YOU CAN ENROLL INTO MEDICARE WHEN YOUR FIRST ELIGIBLE FOR MEDICARE USUALLY ON YOUR 65TH BIRTHDAY A SEVEN MONTH WINDOW.

THREE MONTHS BEFORE YOUR BIRTH MONTH AND THREE MONTHS AFTER.

AFTER THAT THERE IS A GENERAL ENROLLMENT PERIOD JANUARY 1-MARCH 31 OF EVERY YEAR WHICH THEY CAN ENROLL.

THERE ARE SOME SPECIAL ENROLLMENT PERIODS LIKE WHEN LOSING A GROUP EMPLOYER COVERAGE THEY HAVE THE ABILITY TO ENROLL INTO MEDICARE AT THAT POINT.

BUT THEY ARE LOCKED.

THERE HAS TO BE A SPECIAL REASON WHEN YOU CAN ENROLL.

>> Renee: AND DO THEY GIVE YOU ANY KIND OF GUIDANCE WHAT CLASSIFIES AS A SPECIAL REASON?

>> YES.

WE HAVE FEW SPECIAL ENROLLMENT PERIODS FOR PEOPLE WHEN WE ARE TALKING ABOUT ORIGINAL MEDICARE.

YES THERE ARE PARAMETERS.

>> Renee: HOW DO YOU GET CHEAPER DRUGS ON PLAN D?

>> GENERICS.

GETTING GENERIC MEDICATION IS YOUR BEST OPTION FOR A LOWER MEDICATION COST.

SOME PEOPLE WANT THE BRAND BUT IF GENERICS ARE AVAILABLE A BIG DIFFERENCE.

>> CHECK WITH YOUR PROVIDER.

WHOEVER YOUR DOCTOR IS SEE IF THEY HAVE A GENERIC.

AND THEN IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR DIFFERENT HEALTH PLAN OPTIONS WHEN IT COMES TO PRIVATE INSURANCE MAKING SURE THAT LOOK AT THE TIERING SYSTEM OF EACH OF THE PLANS AND CHECK OUT THE FORMULARIES.

>> SOME PLANS WILL HAVE THE DRUG IN A TIER FOUR AND OTHERS TIER TWO OR THREE.

>> Renee: WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?

>> ONE OR TWO IT IS A GENERIC DRUG.

THREE, FOUR, FIVE IT'S BRAND.

SOME WILL HAVE THE DRUG IN A TIER FOUR AND SOME HAVE IT IN TIER THREE BY SHOPPING YOUR DRUG PLAN IT IS A HUGE DIFFERENCE.

THEY WILL THING PART D OR MEDICARE ADVANTAGE THEY MIGHT HAVE THE DRUG IN A LOWER TIER.

COMPARING BETWEEN DRUG PLANS STAND ALONE WHEN YOU HAVE A SUPPLEMENT OR GET THAT MEDICARE ADVANTAGE AND COMPARE THE COST WITH EACH.

>> IT'S TRICKY BECAUSE I'VE SEEN SOME DRUG PLANS TIER A GENERIC DRUG AS A BRAND NAME COST.

SO THEY'VE INCREASED THE COST BY PUTTING IT IN A DIFFERENT TIER LIKE PETE SAID.

IT'S IMPORTANT TO COMPARE THAT INSURANCE EVERY YEAR.

I DON'T THINK PEOPLE UNDERSTAND THAT.

WE ARE CREATURES OF HABIT WE LIKE TO KEEP THE SAME POLICY BUT THE DRUG INSURANCE AND THE MEDICARE ADVANTAGE THEY NEED TO COMPARE EVERY YEAR DURING OPEN ENROLLMENT.

>> Renee: IT WILL BE THE SAME THICK SO I WILL JUST ENROLL.

DO YOUR HOMEWORK.

OKAY.

THIS E-MAIL TO US IS THERE AN ADVANTAGE OF HAVING HUMANA ADVANTAGE AND STATE RETIREMENT OVER BASIC MEDICARE?

DOES ORIGINAL PAY BETTER COVERAGE THAN THE ADVANTAGE?

>> WELL, I WOULD SAY THIS, EVERYBODY NEEDS PART A AND B.

COMPARING THE STATE PLAN WITH A TRADITIONAL MEDICARE ADVANTAGE THAT MIGHT BE THE QUESTION THEY ARE ASKING.

A STATE FUNDED PLAN IS GOING TO HAVE A LOT MORE FUNDING TO IT.

NOT LIKE FUNDING FOR MEDICARE, IT'S STATE FUNDING SO THE OUT OF POCKET IS LOWER.

I'VE SEEN THE STATE PLAN $1200 MAX AND AVERAGE MEDICARE ADVANTAGE PLAN IS $5500.

IF YOU HAVE A STATE PLAN OPTION A STATE RETIREE OR TEACHER RETIREMENT IT'S THE BEST OPTIONS.

IF YOU'VE EARNED IT YOU'VE EARNED THAT OPPORTUNITY TO GET THAT PLAN.

>> THE PRESCRIPTION DRUG COVERAGE IS MUCH BETTER UNDER THE STATE RETIREE INSURANCE THAN WHAT IS OFFERED ON THE MEDICARE MARKET.

>> Renee: OKAY.

THIS QUESTION OR THIS COMES FROM THE KENTUCKY DEPARTMENT OF INSURANCE.

WE APPRECIATE THEIR VIEWERSHIP.

INDIVIDUALS WHO QUALIFY FOR A METHODDY GAP PLAN UNDER THE AGE OF 65 ARE PROVIDEDDED A SIX MONTH OPEN ENROLLMENT PERIOD.

THIS MEANS SOME INDIVIDUALS MAY QUALIFY FOR TWO OPEN ENROLLMENT PERIODS IN THEIR LIFETIMES.

THE NEW BIRTHDAY RULE QUOTE-UNQUOTE ALLOWS INDIVIDUALS THE OPPORTUNITY TO SHOP FOR THE SAME PLAN WITH A DIFFERENT INSURANCE COMPANY EVERY YEAR ON THEIR BIRTHDAY.

THIS IS A 60-DAY GUARANTEED PERIOD BEGINNING ON THE APPLICANT'S BIRTHDAY.

THANK YOU JOE SHIPPLEY.

WE APPRECIATE THAT FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF INSURANCE.

>> THAT WAS THE LAW CHANGE ON THE SUPPLEMENTS IT USED TO BE UNDER 65, RATES WERE DOUBLE THE PRICE.

THIS YEAR IN KENTUCKY THEY MADE A FIX YOU CAN GET A SUPPLEMENTS AT A TRADITIONAL PRICE AND NOT A HIGHER RATE.

THE SECOND TIME YOU CAN GET YOUR GUARANTEED PART B, IF YOU ARE DISABLED 60 YEARS OLD PART B THE FIRST TIME.

YOU ALSO HAVE ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY WHEN YOU TURN 65.

>> GREAT CHANGE.

>> Renee: WE LIKE TO HEAR THAT.

CASEY PARKER BELL WILL BE BACK WITH US AGAIN HE IS IN OUR NEXT DOOR STUDIO.

>> I'M BACK WITH JUSTIN AULDS.

JUSTIN, WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO THINK ABOUT ENROLLMENT BEFORE THE PROCESS STARTS?

>> IT'S GOOD TO GET AHEAD OF IT IT IS AN INDIVIDUALIZED PROCESS.

YOU NEED TO THINK ABOUT WHAT IS IMPORTANT TO YOU AND YOUR COVERAGE.

HOW DO YOU WANT IT TO WORK.

DO YOU WANT TO PAY UP FRONT OR LATER?

IT'S REALLY TAKING ALL OF THAT INTO ACCOUNT.

IF YOU CAN APPROACH THOSE WHO HELP YOU SUCH AS OURSELVES AS AGENTS AS THE SHIP CENTER WHOEVER IF YOU CAN BRING US THIS IS IMPORTANT TO ME IN MY COVERAGE THAT HELPS US FIGURE OUT WHAT IS GOING TO BE BEST FOR YOU.

>> OBVIOUSLY PEOPLE HAVE THE PERSONALIZED QUESTIONS THEY NEED TO KNOW WHERE TO GO.

WHAT IS THE FIRST STEP?

>> THE FIRST STEP FOR GETTING STARTED IS GET TOGETHER YOUR INFORMATION AS FAR AS WHAT YOU HAVE, DO YOU HAVE A AND B DO YOU HAVE A DRUG PLAN DO YOU HAVE AN ADVANTAGE PLAN.

LET US KNOW WHAT YOU HAVE.

AND ONCE WE KNOW THAT WE CAN LOOK AT WHAT MAYBE THE NEXT BEST STEPS IS THERE SOMETHING WITH YOUR PLAN THAT HAS THAT YOU LOVE ABOUT IT THAT WE CAN LOOK FOR ELSEWHERE IF NEEDED.

>> THANKS AGAIN.

RENEE, BACK TO YOU.

>> Renee: THANK YOU CASEY AND JUSTIN WE APPRECIATE SEEING YOU AGAIN.

TO MORE VIEWER QUESTIONS.

THIS FROM A VIEWER I NEED CATARACT SURGERY WILL ORIGINAL MEDICARE PAY FOR ADVANTAGE PLAN PROVIDE BETTER COVERAGE?

>> WELL, THAT IS A TOUGH ONE.

THEY ARE BOTH GOING TO COVER THE CATARACT SURGERY BUT THINGS ARE NOT COVERED WHETHER YOU HAVE A SUPPLEMENTED OR ADVANTAGE PLAN.

BECAUSE THERE'S LASIK, LENS REPLACEMENT THAT HAPPENS IN THAT TYPE OF PROCEDURE.

WITH MEDICARE, AN OPHTHAMOLOGY COVERAGE IS COVERED FOR CATARACT AND GLAUCOMA AND THE OTHER SERVICES ARE PRIVATE PAY.

>> Renee: QUESTIONS LIKE SEPP BOUND?

>> IT'S COMING.

>> Renee: IT'S COMING.

>> I HEARD '26.

>> IS THAT ALL GLP'S OR THE SPECIFIC BRAND?

>> NO.

I THINK WE WILL HAVE TO WAIT-AND-SEE WHAT MEDICARE SAYS BUT THEY ARE LOOKING AT EXPANDING MEDICARE COVERAGE TO INCLUDE WEIGHT LOSS MEDICATION AND OTHER PROCEDURES.

>> Renee: OKAY.

THE 90-DAY SUPPLY COST OF MY GENERIC PRESCRIPTION WITHOUT USING ANY INSURANCE IS LESS THAN THE PROPOSED COST OF MY MONTHLY PART D PLAN.

ARE THERE OPTIONS BY WHICH I CAN AVOID A PENALTY FOR NOTING PART D?

>> THE ONLY WAY TO ELIMINATE THE PENALTY IS BY HAVING CREDIBLE COVERAGE.

UNFORTUNATELY, IN THIS SITUATION, FROM WHAT WE KNOW FROM THE E-MAIL IS I DON'T SEE THAT THERE WOULD BE A WAY TO PREVENT THE PENALTY.

>> BUT THEY CAN SHOP AROUND AND PICK THE CHEAPEST ONE SO THAT YOU PREVENT YOURSELF FROM HAVING THAT PENALTY IN THE FUTURE IT'S WORTH IT.

IT'S WORTH IT.

>> SO THIS COMING YEAR IF IT'S JUST A PRESCRIPTION DRUG PLAN WE DO HAVE ONE THAT IS A ZERO PREMIUM.

AND SO AGAIN, IT'S PURCHASING OR ENROLLING INTO SOMETHING FOR CATASTROPHIC COVERAGE TO MAKE SURE THAT IF THERE IS AN EVENTS THEY HAVE ACCESS TO INSURANCE.

I HAVE MANY CLIENTS THAT REALLY DON'T GET A BENEFIT FROM THE DRUG PLAN BUT IT'S THERE TO PROTECT THEM SHOULD THEY NEED IT.

>> Renee: RIGHT.

OKAY.

I HAVE MEDICARE A AND B AND HAVE MEDICAID DO I HAVE TO HAVE A SUPPLEMENTS?

>> NO.

>> NO.

THERE'S NO REASON TO HAVE A SUPPLEMENTS IF YOU WERE ON BOTH MEDICARE AND MEDICAID.

>> AS LONG AS THE MEDICAID IS COVERING WHAT MEDICARE DOESN'T COVER.

SO THERE'S COPAYS AND IT'S PAYING THE COPAYMENTS THEN THERE IS NO NEED FOR I ASUPPLEMENT.

IF YOU HAVE A SUPPLEMENT YOU CAN SUSPEND THAT COVERAGE FOR TWO YEARS IF YOU HAVE QMB, WHICH IS PAYING THE PART B PREMIUM.

>> Renee: OKAY.

HAS MEDICARE ADVANTAGE NEVER HAD A DEDUCTIBLE NOW THEY ARE SAYING HAVE TO PUT $2,000 UP FRONT FOR COSTS.

IS THAT ACCURATE?

IS THERE AN ALTERNATIVE?

MEDICARE ADVANTAGE HAD A DEDUCTIBLE.

>> THERE IS NO DEDUCTIBLE THAT IS THE MAXIMUM AMOUNT OUT OF POCKET ON THE DRUG COVERAGE.

MOST PLANS DO NOT HAVE A DEDUCTIBLE ON THE MEDICAL SIDE BUT COULD BE ON THE DRUG SIDE.

SOMETIMES YOU WILL HAVE ZERO DEDUCTIBLE ON TIERS ONE AND TWO.

THE GENERIC.

AND GENERALLY NOT A DEDUCTIBLE ON THE MEDICAL SIDE ON MOST PLANS.

>> Renee: OKAY.

THIS IS A SPECIFIC SCENARIO HERE.

MY WIFE IS ELIGIBLE IN JANUARY 2025 FOR MEDICARE BUT ON HER HUSBAND'S INSURANCE THROUGH WORK CAN HE CONTINUE TO CONTRIBUTE HSA THROUGH THE EMPLOYER IF WIFE IS ON MEDICARE?

>> IT'S FOLLOWING HIM, NOT HER.

THE HSA IS FOLLOWING HIM.

>> Renee: I THINK WE ANSWERED A SIMILAR QUESTION BUT I WILL POSE IT AGAIN.

I SIGNED UP FOR PART A WHEN I TURNED 65 AND WORKING AND HAVE INSURANCE FROM MY EMPLOYER IS IT POSSIBLE FOR ME TO PURCHASE PART B AND KEEP MY EMPLOYER INSURANCE?

>> YOU CAN BUT WHY WOULD YOU?

IF THE GROUP COVERAGE IS SATISFACTORY AND GOOD COVERAGE WHY GET PART B.

YOU GUARANTEED ISSUE IS PART B FOR THE FIRST TIME TO A MEDICARE SUPPLEMENT IN THE FUTD.

IF YOUR GROUP COVERAGE IS EXPENSIVE MAYBE YOU SHOULD GET MEDICARE PART B AND LOOK AT A SUPPLEMENT OR MEDICARE ADVANTAGE.

IT'S EVALUATING THE COSTS.

LOOK AT YOUR MONTHLY PREMIUM AND OUT OF POCKET EXPENSES ON GROUP VERSUS MEDICARE AND SEE WHAT MAKES THE NOT SENSE.

>> Renee: THIS E-MAIL I UNDERSTAND THAT PART A DEDUCTIBLE FOR A HOSPITAL STAY IS 1632, WHAT HAPPENS IF I DON'T HAVE RESOURCES TO PAY THAT DEDUCTIBLE?

>> WELL, YOU CAN ALWAYS SETUP A PAYMENT PLAN WITH THE HOSPITAL.

BUT THERE IS SOMETHING CALLED MEDICAID SPIN DOWN WHICH IS A TIME LIMITED TEMPORARY MEDICAL ASSISTANCE THROUGH THE STATE OF KENTUCKY.

THAT MIGHT BE ABLE TO HELP REDUCE SOME OF THAT COST.

IT'S NOT GOING TO PAY THE ENTIRE AMOUNT.

IT IS BASED ON INCOME.

BUT THERE IS POTENTIALLY SOME ASSISTANCE.

IT'S ONE OF THE MOST UNDERUTILIZED BENEFITS WE HAVE HERE IN KENTUCKY THAT MORE MEDICARE BENEFICIARIES SHOULD BE TAKING ADVANTAGE OF.

>> Renee: OKAY.

COUPLE LIGHTNING ROUND QUESTIONS.

WE HAVE SPOKEN ABOUT PART D, WHAT DOES PART C COVER?

THANK YOU, DAWN.

>> SO PART C LIKE I CALL IT A CATCH ALL IT COVERS THAT DENTAL, VISION AND HEARING AS WELL AS ALL THOSE EXTRAS THAT YOU HEAR WITH THOSE INFORMERCIALS LIKES GROCERY CARD, SILVER SNEAKERS.

>> THE PART C IS MEDICARE ADVANTAGE AND THE NAME GOES HAND IN HAND.

PART C WILL HAVE A AND D YOUR HOSPITAL, MEDICAL, DRUG COVERAGE AND THE EXTRA BENEFITS ALL IN ONE PLAN.

>> Renee: THIS IS FROM BECKY, FEDERAL RETIREE BCBS SIGNED UP FOR MEDICAID AUGUST, 20, 2024 AND HAD THE PREMIUM DEDUCTED FOR TWO MONTHS, AND HAVE NOT RECEIVED MY CARD.

>> IF SHE HAS A DEDUCTION IN HER SOCIAL SECURITY SHE NEEDS TO CONTACT THE SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION TOMORROW.

AND FIND OUT.

SHE COULD CALL MEDICARE.

AND ORDER A REPLACEMENT CARD IF IT HASN'T BEEN RECEIVED.

BUT I WOULD START WITH SOCIAL SECURITY AND MOVE ON TO MEDICARE.

>> I DO WANT TO POINT OUT THAT WHEN THEY SEND THAT CARD IT COMES IN A GENERIC ENVELOPE IT LOOKS LIKE JUNK MAIL.

GO THROUGH YOUR JUNK MAIL AND THE ENVELOPES IT'S VERY DECEIVING.

>> Renee: FINAL QUESTION.

I RETIRED FROM THE POSTAL SERVICE UNDER THE CIVIL SERVICE RETIREMENT I HAD SIX QUARTERS WORKING I WILL NOT BE ABLE TO COLLECT SOCIAL SECURITY RETIREMENT TRUE OR FALSE, DO WE KNOW?

>> SO YOU HAVE TO HAVE ENOUGH QUARTERS 40 QUARTERS TO GET BENEFITS.

AND BUT THEY NEED TO CALL SOCIAL SECURITY ONLY SOCIAL SECURITY CAN ANSWER THOSE QUESTIONS.

>> Renee: ALL RIGHT THIS HAS BEEN REALLY GOOD.

I LOVE THESE CALL INS AND I THINK THEY ARE A GREAT SERVICE TO OUR VIEWERS WE HOPE YOU THINK SO AND WE'LL HAVE LOTS OF RESOURCES POSTED ON OUR WEBSITE ABOUT THIS PROGRAM, THE ESTATE PLANNING PROGRAM WE DID A FEW WEEKS AGO AAND WE ARE GOING TO DO A ESTATE PLANNING IN DECEMBER SO YOU WILL GET A CHANCE TO BE A PART OF THIS AGAIN.

THIS FOCUSES ON AGING ISSUES THE REWARDS AND CHALLENGES AND THE QUESTIONS OF THE THINGS YOU ARE FACING.

WE HOPE YOU FIND THIS, INDEED, A PUBLIC SERVICE IT'S BEEN OUR PLEASURE TO DO THIS FOR YOU.

CHECK OUT KET.ORG/NEXT CHAPTER TO GET MORE RESOURCES ON CONVERSATIONS LIKE THIS.

THANK YOU FOR WATCHING I'M RENEE SHAW UNTIL I SEE YOU AGAIN, TAKE REALLY GOOD CARE.

SO LONG.

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