THIS PROGRAM IS MADE BY MPT TO ENRICH ALL OF OUR DIVERSE COMMUNITIES AND IS MADE POSSIBLE BY THE GENEROUS SUPPORT OF OUR MEMBERS.

THANK YOU.

LIVE FROM MARYLAND PUBLIC TELEVISION, THIS IS "DIRECT CONNECTION" WITH JEFF SALKIN.

*] >> JEFF: GOOD EVENING AND WELCOME TO YOUR "DIRECT CONNECTION."

WE BEGIN TONIGHT WITH SEASONS GREETINGS FROM SCAMMERS.

ALL TYPES OF SCAMS ARE GOING TO BE COMING TO YOUR PHONE, YOUR MAILBOX AND YOUR COMPUTER THIS HOLIDAY SEASON.

ONE OF MPT'S PRODUCTION INTURNS DETECTED AN EMPLOYMENT SCAM.

>> THEY OFFERED ME $1500 FOR THE GIG WHICH WAS MORE THAN I OR I THINK ANYONE HAS BEEN PAID AS A PRODUCTION ASSISTANT AND IT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE THE COURSE OF THREE DAYS WHAT SOUNDS WEIRD.

THEY ASKED FOR MY NAME, ADDRESS AND PHONE NUMBER AND THEN THEY SENT ME A LIST OF LIGHTS EQUIPMENT THEY WOULD HAVE ASKED ME TO BUY.

THAT IS NOT USUALLY THE JOB IN PAST GIGS I'VE DONE.

THAT WAS MY FIRST RED FLAG INITIALLY.

AND THE OTHER ONE ONCE THEY HAD MY PHONE NUMBER THEY KEPT TEXTING ME ASKING ARE WE STILL GOOD?

DO YOU STILL WANT TO DO THE JOB AND SAID HI IT'S ME JAMIE THE FILM GUY.

ONCE I RECEIVED ALL THOUGHT, I GUESS, CONCERNING SIGNS, ACTUALLY REACHED OUT TO 3450EU MOTHER WHO WORKS IN FRAUD PROTECTION AND ASKED HER IF IT SEEMED LIKE A SCAM AND SHE TOLD ME YES.

>> Jeff: AND JOINING ME IS AARP MEMBER KAREN MORGAN.

KAREN, THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

WE WILL COME BACK TO THE EMPLOYMENT SCAMS AND TODAY IS CYBERMONDAY TO BE FOLLOWED BY GIVING TUESDAY WHICH IS FOLLOWED BY 10 LORDS A LEAPING.

THIS IS A BIG TIME FOR HOLIDAY SCAMS WHEN PEOPLE LET THEIR GUARD DOWN UNLIKE OUR SHARP INTERN, WHO SHOULD PEOPLE LOOK OUT FOR?

>> WELL, YOU WANT TO LOOK FOR CONTACT OUT OF THE BLUE TELLING YOU SOMETHING THAT UPON FURTHER REFLECTION DOES NOT MAKE SENSE.

FOR EXAMPLE WE CANNOT DELIVER YOUR PACKAGE UNLESS WE VERIFY YOUR ADDRESS.

IF YOU ARE GETTING A MESSAGE FROM THE SO-CALLED POST OFFICE TELLING YOU THAT THAT IS A HUGE RED FLAG.

AND SOMEONE REACHING OUT WITH A GREAT OFFER OR SUPPOSEDLY GREAT SALE, THERE'S NOTHING -- THERE'S NO SUCH THING AS A DEAL THAT IS SO AMAZING THAT YOU HAVE TO DO IT RIGHT NOW.

AND THERE IS ALWAYS A SENSE OF URGENCY WITH REGARD TO THE CONTACTS YOU HAVE TO DO IT NOW OR YOU WILL MISS OUT ON A DEAL OF A LIFETIME.

NO, ALL OF THAT IS WRONG.

WE SAY AT AARP IS PAUSE, REFLECT, PROTECT.

THOSE ARE OUR WATCH WORDS DURING THE HOLIDAY SEASON AND ANY OTHER TIME OF YEAR.

PAUSE DON'T DO ANYTHING WHEN YOU ARE UPSET, IN A HEIGHTENED EMOTIONAL STATE DO NOTHING DON'T VERIFY YOUR NAME UNDER THOSE SIX.

REFLECT, THINK ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED IN THE EXCHANGE, TALK TO SOMEONE YOU TRUST OR REVIEW IT YOURSELF DOES THIS MAKE SENSE?

AND YOU WILL PROBABLY FIND IT DOESN'T AND THEN PROTECT.

TAKE STEPS TO PROTECT YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION BECAUSE IT'S CURRENCY IN TODAY'S MARKET.

>> Jeff: AND THAT IS WHY CYBERMONDAY IS A LITTLE BIT OF A TRAP FOR SOME PEOPLE BECAUSE THERE'S THAT BUILT IN URGENCY.

IT'S GOING TO END AND YOU BETTER ACT NOW AND THEY WILL COME UP WITH A STORE THAT LOOKS GREAT BUT ISN'T REAL AND TAKE YOUR PAYMENT INFORMATION AND IN THAT CASE, YOU'RE BETTER OFF USING A CREDIT CARD AS OPPOSED TO A DEBIT CARD OR SOMETHING ELSE.

>> ABSOLUTELY AND THAT IS IF YOU DECIDE TO DO IT.

AND PEOPLE ARE LOOKING FOR THINGS LIKE COMPUTERS FOR THEIR KIDS OR THEY ARE LOOKING FOR PHONES OR LOOKING FOR OTHER KINDS OF ELECTRONIC SPEAKERS.

AND, YOU KNOW, REALLY CUTE THINGS OR JUST TRENDY THINGS BUT THEY ARE LOOKING FOR THEM AT A PRICE THAT PROBABLY DOESN'T MAKE SENSE.

LIKE A COMPUTER FROM ANY COMPANY FOR, YOU KNOW, $100.

IT'S NOT A DEAL THAT IS A SCAM.

>> Jeff: GIVING TUESDAY -- GO ON.

>> AND GIVING TUESDAY.

YEAH.

I MEAN GIVING TUESDAY CHARITIES THAT IS A HUBLG RED -- HUGE RED FLAG BECAUSE IT'S THE HOLIDAYS AND PEOPLE WANT FOR GENEROUS.

AMERICANS ARE KNOWN FOR THEIR GENEROSITY OVER THE WORLD FOR THAT.

WHEN SOMEBODY SAYS GEE CAN YOU HELP THE CHILDREN?

CAN YOU HELP THE POOR OLD PEOPLE?

CAN YOU HELP THE POOR MIDDLE-AGED PEOPLE WHATEVER IT IS THEY ARE TRYING TO GET HELP FOR YOU WANT TO SAY YES.

BUT WE SAY AT AARP IS DON'T DO THAT ON AN IMPULSE.

IF YOU WANT TO GIVE, THAT'S GREAT.

MAKE A PLAN WELL BEFORE THE HOLIDAY SEASON SHOWS UP AND STICK TO THAT PLAN.

DO NOT DEVIATE I DON'T CARE HOW CUTE THE FIREMAN IS WITH THE BOOTS OR HOW ADORABLE THE KIDS ARE SAYING PLEASE HELP ME, DO NOT DEVIATE.

PICK YOUR CHARITIES GIVE TO THEM.

IF YOU FEEL LIKE YOU MUST DO DEVIATION, GO ON-LINE, CHECK WITH CHARITY NAVIGATORS.ORG OR OTHER SITES TO ENSURE THAT SITE IS LEGITIMATE BEFORE YOU GIVE ONE PENNY AND COULD NOT GIVE CASH ON THE SPUR OF THE MOMENT.

TELL THEM I'LL LOOK IT UP ON-LINE IF YOU WANT TO GIVE I WILL GIVE ON-LINE.

>> Jeff: MARYLAND SECRETARY OF STATE A GOOD RESOURCE FOR CHECKING OUT IF A CHARITY IS LEGITIMATE BECAUSE IT'S SO EASY TO COME UP WITH A NAME, KIND OF SOUNDS LIKE ESPECIALLY THE BIG MEDICAL CHARITIES.

>> OH, YES.

IT'S SO TRUE.

AND THEY CAN COME UP WITH WEBSITES THAT LOOK EXACTLY LIKE EGG LEGITIMATE WEBSITES AND YOU ARE THINKING YOU ARE GIVING TO THEM AND YOU'RE NOT.

THIS IS A HUGE PROBLEM.

THAT'S WHY WE SAY IT'S THREE WORDS YOU HAVE TO LIVE BY THEM, PAUSE, REFLECT, PROTECT.

DON'T DO ANYTHING ON THE SPUR OF THE MOMENT BECAUSE OF THE WAY IT LOOKS.

>> Jeff: LET'S GO BACK TO THE EMPLOYMENT SCAMS.

I LIKE TO THINK AFTER ALL THIS TIME DOING NEWS I HAVE A WELL-DEVELOPED BOLONEY DETECTOR THERE WAS SOMETHING ON LINKED IN IT WAS A JOB OFFER AND ALL THE RESPONSES DID NOT FAIL MY SNIFF TEST BUT ALL THE RESPONSES WERE PEOPLE THOUGHT THIS IS A SCAM IT'S TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE.

CROWD SOURCING IS ONE THING TO TALK ABOUT IN TERMS OF GETTING OTHER PEOPLE'S OPINIONS ABOUT WHETHER SOMETHING MIGHT BE A SCAM.

IN TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT SCAMS, HOW WOULD THEY GET RIPPED OFF?

>> WELL, THEY COULD EASILY BE VICTIMIZED BY HANDING OVER PERSONAL INFORMATION.

WHAT THESE CRIMINALS WANT, REALLY EVEN MORE THAN MONEY IS YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION.

THEY WANT YOUR BANK ACCOUNT NUMBERS.

THEY WANT YOUR NAME.

THEY WANT YOUR SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER.

AND REMEMBER IN AN EMPLOYMENT CONTEXT THAT IS ONE SITUATION WHERE THE SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER NEEDS TO BE DIVULGED AT THE RIGHT POINT.

BUT, YOU KNOW, THESE SCAMMERS WILL ASK AT ANY POINT FOR A SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER OR HEALTH INSURANCE INFORMATION, TO MAKE SURE THAT THAT WE DON'T DUPLICATE.

THEY WILL COME UP WITH ALL KINDS OF RIDICULOUS REASONS THAT DON'T MAKE SENSE AT ALL.

BUT THAT'S WHAT THEY WANT.

IF THEY FET YOUR -- GET YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION BANK ACCOUNT NUMBERS OR SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER OR BIRTHDATE SOMETHING YOU WOULD DIVULGE ON AN EMPLOYMENT APPLICATION, THAT'S THE GIFT THAT KEEPING ON GIVING.

THEY WON'T HIT IT TIME AND TIME AGAIN.

>> Jeff: WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT DOING A CREDIT FREEZE?

WITH THE ASSUMPTION HOPEFULLY SOMEBODY HAS NOT BEEN THE VICTIM OF CREDIT FRAUD, OR HAD THEIR SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER OR OTHER THINGS STOLEN, EVEN AS A DEFENSE AGAINST THAT POSSIBILITY IS THAT A REASONABLE THING TO DO?

>> I THINK THAT'S VERY REASONABLE, JEFF, A GREAT IDEA AND SOMETHING WE'VE RECOMMENDED.

BEFORE YOU EMBARK ON A CREDIT ON A JOB SEARCH, YOU WANT TO FREEZE YOUR CREDIT SO THAT IF SOMEBODY DOES TRY TO GET INTO YOUR INFORMATION, THEY ARE STOPPED COLD ASSUMING YOU HAVE NOT DONE BUSINESS WITH THEM BEFORE.

IT IS NOT AN IRON GLAD SILVER BULLET BUT IT'S ONE OF THE STRONG EVIDENCE WEAPONS WE HAVE AGAINST CREDIT FRAUD AND THEY DON'T GET INFORMATION WITHOUT YOUR INFORMATION YOUR PASSWORDS WHICH WOULD YOU NEVER DIVULGE.

>> Jeff: WE SHOULDN'T HAVE TO DO THAT BUT IT IS NOT A BAD IDEA AND IT DOESN'T COST ANYTHING NOBODY SHOULD FEEL LIKE, YOU KNOW, THAT IS A POTENTIAL SCAM GETTING TRICKED INTO PAYING FOR A CREDIT REPORT THAT SHOULD BE FREE.

>> YEAH, DON'T DO THAT.

IT'S COMPLETELY FREE.

YOU CAN LIFT AND REPLACE FREEZES AS MANY TIMES AT YOU WANT AGAIN AT NO COST.

THE CREDIT REPORTING COMPANIES WILL SELL A PRODUCT IT'S CALLED A CREDIT LOCK.

DON'T DO THAT.

THAT WILL COST YOU MAYBE $200 A YEAR.

YOU DON'T NEED TO PAY FOR THAT BECAUSE BY LAW THEY ARE REQUIRED TO PROTECT YOUR INFORMATION AND YOU DON'T HAVE TO PAY FOR THAT.

>> Jeff: WHAT IS THE DEAL WITH THE GIFT CARDS?

THE DEBIT CARDS YOU SEE AT THE DRUGSTORE OR THE SUPERMARKET INCREASINGLY THERE ARE SIGNS POSTED WARNING PEOPLE THESE THINGS ARE FREQUENTLY USED IN THE OPERATION OF A SCAM.

>> YES.

AND THEY ARE, BECAUSE CREDIT CARDS ARE STILL UNTRACEABLE FOR THE MOST PART.

AND IT ENABLES CRITS TO PACKAGE MONEY INTO SMALL PARCELS TO EVADE DETECTION BY BANKS, SECURITY AND OR THE F.B.I.

THE REASON THAT YOU ARE SEEING MORE SIGNS IS BECAUSE THE ATTORNEY GENERAL IS SPEARHEADING GUIDANCE TO STORES TO BRICK AND MORTAR STORES HOW TO PROTECT FROM GIFT CARD FRAUD.

YOU WILL SEE MORE SIGNS WARNING ABOUT GIFT CARD FRAUD.

BECAUSE MARYLAND PASSED AND ENACTED THE GIFT CARD LAW FRAUD PREVENTION ACT IN 2024, THAT ONE OF THE THINGS THAT HAS TO HAPPEN IS THAT EMPLOYEES THAT WORK WITH GIFT CARDS HAVE TO BE TRAINED HOW TO SPOT SIGNS OF FRAUD.

>> Jeff: OUR THANKS TO KAREN MORGAN OF AARP.

NOW THERE'S LESS THAN A WEEK TO GO IN THE ANNUAL MEDICARE OPEN ENROLLMENT PERIOD.

WE SPOKE RECENTLY WITH AYSE TOKBAY PROGRAM MANAGER FOR THE HOWARD COUNTY STATE HEALTH INSURANCE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM KNOWN AS SHIP.

THERE'S GROWING POPULARITY IN MEDICARE ADVANTAGE PLANS.

THERE'S 54% OF THE COUNTRY, MAYBE A LITTLE BIT MORE ARE ON MEDICARE ADVANTAGE PLANS.

IF YOU WERE TO TELL ME 10 YEARS AGO I WOULD NOT HAVE BELIEVED YOU.

BUT IT'S MADE THINGS MORE CONFUSING FOR THE CONSUMER, RIGHT?

>> Jeff: MEDICARE WAS ALWAYS CONFUSING?

>> EXACTLY.

AND IT'S COMPLEX IT HAS A LOT OF NUANCE.

ANYTIME PEOPLE ASK ME A QUESTION ABOUT MEDICARE 99% OF THE TIME MY RESPONSE IS IT DEPENDS ON YOUR SITUATION, WHAT YOU WANT, YOUR INCOME AND VARIABLES ARE INVOLVED TOO.

WE HAVE TO DO QUESTION ASKING BEFORE WE CAN HELP PEOPLE NAVIGATE THAT.

>> Jeff: DID YOU TELL ME THE LAST TIME YOU WERE HERE THAT MEDICARE ADVANTAGE PLANS ARE LESS POPULAR IN MARYLAND THAN OTHER STATES?

>> I WOULD NOT NECESSARILY SAY ALL OF MARYLAND.

THAT IS A GOOD MEMORY, JEFF.

54, MAYBE 56% OF THE COUNTRY ARE ON MEDICARE ADVANTAGE PLANS BECAUSE WE LIVE IN A FEDERAL DENSE AREA WE HAVE A LOT OF FEDERAL EMPLOYEES THEY DON'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT A SUPPLEMENT OR MEDICARE ADVANTAGE PLAN.

WHILE WE HAVE A LOT OF OPTIONS IT IS LESS COMPETITIVE THAN OTHER MARKETS.

ABOUT 20%, I JUST LOOKED THIS UP LAST WEEK, 20% OF PEOPLE IN I KNOW MY COUNTY, HOWARD COUNTY AND I'M NOT SURE IT'S OFF IN THE SURROUNDING AREAS 20% IS A LOT LESS.

IT'S NOT EXACTLY THE SAME MARKET.

>> Jeff: PEOPLE SIGN UP FOR MEDICARE ADVANTAGE BECAUSE YOU GET SOME STUFF?

YOU MIGHT GET VISION, YOU MIGHT GET DENTAL, BETTER PRESCRIPTION COVERAGE BUT WHAT YOU GIVE UP IS YOU ARE STUCK WITH THE NETWORK?

>> IT IS A BIG TRADE OFF AND A LOT OF TIMES PEOPLE DON'T ALWAYS GET THE PLAN BECAUSE THEY WANT TO.

PEOPLE ARE DEFINITELY ALL ABOUT THE SUPPLEMENTAL BENEFITS I WOULDN'T USE THAT AS A LEADING DECISION MAKING FACTOR WHEN YOU ARE GOING TO PICK YOUR INSURANCE.

TO YOUR POINT WHEN THE TIME COMES TO USE YOUR HEALTH INSURANCE, HEALTH INSURANCE IS CHEAPEST WHEN YOU ARE HEALTHY.

BUT WHEN YOU START USING THE SERVICES, I MEAN EITHER WAY IN MEDICARE WHETHER YOU ARE PAYING ON THE FRONT END OR THE BACK END YOU HAVE TO PAY SOMETHING.

MEDICARE ADVANTAGE PLANS OFTEN HAVE LOWER PREMIUMS NOT ALWAYS THE CASE.

BUT THERE ARE LOWER PREMIUM OPTIONS AND IT'S MORE WHEN YOU USE SERVICES.

THE TRADE OFF YOU HAVE NO WAY TO SUPPLEMENT THOSE COSTS.

IF I AM ADMITTED TO A HOSPITAL AND I'M IN THE HOSPITAL FOR FIVE DAYS I COULD HAVE A BILL OF OVER $2,000 AND NO WAY TO SUPPLEMENT THAT.

SO IF YOU ARE SOMEBODY NOT PAYING ATTENTION TO THE DETAILS, OR IF YOU FEEL LIKE I GOT TO DO WHAT I GOT TO DO BECAUSE A LOT OF TIMES PEOPLE CANNOT AFFORD A SUPPLEMENT THERE'S DIFFERENT PREMIUMS TO MEDICARE AND AS SOMEBODY WHO TEACHES THIS FOR A LIVING A LOT OF PEOPLE COME INTO MEDICARE READY TO RETIRE THINKING IT'S FREE OR THERE'S ONE PREMIUM.

YOU HEAR POLITICIANS SAYING MEDICARE FOR ALL.

IT DRIVES ME CRAZY BECAUSE NOBODY UNDERSTANDS WHAT THAT IS.

THAT THAT MEDICARE IS BAD THERE IS A LOT OF FINANCIAL PLANNING THAT SHOULD TAKE MORE PLACE EARLY IN LIFE WHEN IT COMES TO IT.

>> Jeff: PEOPLE EXPECT IT'S GOING TO BE FREE BECAUSE WE'VE BEEN PAYING INTO IT OUR WORKING LIVES YOU SEE IT ON EVERY PAY STUB, SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE.

>> THAT PAYS FOR PART A YOUR HOSPITAL, YOUR INPATIENT HOSPITAL INSURANCE IS WHAT YOU ARE BUYING INTO.

WHEN YOU TURN 65 WORKING OR NOT A LOT OF PEOPLE TAKE IT BECAUSE IT'S PREMIUM FREE WHAT IS THE HARM?

BUT THEN, WHEN YOU ARE EXPLAINING TO PEOPLE, I OVERWHELM A LOT OF PEOPLE EVERYDAY FOR A LIVING.

BUT THEN YOU EXPLAIN THERE IS A PART B PREMIUM AND YOU EXPLAIN THERE IS WHAT YOU HAVE TO FIGURE OUT HOW YOU'RE GOING TO SUPPLEMENT THAT IF YOU CAN AFFORD TO DO SO AND YOU START EXPLAINING WHETHER YOU WILL GO WITH ORIGINAL MEDICARE AND GET A SUPPLEMENTAL POLICY AND THERE IS CONFUSION WITH THAT TOO.

AND THERE IS NUANCE TO THAT TOO.

ONCE YOU PICK A POLICY THAT'S NOT PART OF THIS OPEN ENROLLMENT.

THIS OPEN ENROLLMENT IS JUST FOR DRUG COVERAGE STAND ALONE DRUG PLANS OR AN ADVANTAGE PLAN.

PEOPLE CAN SWITCH PATHS AND DID BACK TO ORIGINAL MEDICARE BUT YOU DON'T GET A WINDOW TO PI A SUPPLEMENTED AND THAT MEANS THERE COULD BE MEDICAL UNDERWRITING LIKE CAR INSURANCE THEY COULD ASK YOU ABOUT YOUR HISTORY TO ASSESS YOUR RISK AND DENY YOU OR CHARGE YOU MORE FOR IT.

IF YOU ARE SOMEBODY WITH A LOT OF HEALTH ISSUES IT IS NOT SO EASY TO MOVE BACK AND FORTH.

>> Jeff: IF YOU HAVE A QUESTION ABOUT MEDICARE, SEND US AN E-MAIL RIGHT NOW, LIVE QUESTIONS@MPT.ORG IS THE ADDRESS.

SILLY QUESTION, MAYBE STUPID QUESTION WE ARE TALKING ABOUT SUPPLEMENTEDS AND MEDICARE ADVANTAGE THEY ARE TWO DIFFERENT THINGS.

>> TWO DIFFERENT THINGS AND WE GET CALLS THIS TIME OF YEAR I WANT AN APPOINTMENT TO SHOP FOR MY SUPPLEMENTAL POLICY.

THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS I SAID THERE IS ALWAYS AN IF, AND OR BUT THERE WAS A LAW PASSED IN MARYLAND CALLED THE MARYLAND BIRTHDAY RULE.

IT ALLOWS PEOPLE ON THEIR BIRTHDAY EVERY YEAR, YOU GET A 30-DAY WINDOW TO SHOP FOR ANOTHER POLICY WITHOUT UNDERWRITING.

SO BUT THERE'S A CATCH TO THAT, TOO.

YOU CAN ONLY BUY A PLAN OF EQUAL OR LESSER VALUE.

YOU CAN'T MOVE UP.

IF YOU DECIDE I WANT MORE COVERAGE, YOU WILL HAVE TO GO THROUGH THE UNDERWRITING PROCESS AND FOR SOME PEOPLE IT MEANS NOTHING.

IF YOU ARE HEALTHY YOU ARE NOT WORRIED ABOUT AND IT DEPENDS COMPANY TO COMPANY.

SOME COMPANIES ARE LENIENT AND SOME ARE STRICTER.

THERE IS A LOT OF OVERWHELMINGLY MOVING PIECES TO THIS.

>> Jeff: AND FOR PEOPLE AT A STAGE IN LIFE WHERE THEY MAY NOT BE FULLY ABLE TO DEAL WITH TONS OF COMPLEXITY.

DO I RECALL THAT THERE IS A TRAP IN MEDICARE ADVANTAGE PLANS HAVING TO DO WITH PREEXISTING CONDITION?

LIKE IF YOU GET INTO ONE AND DEVELOP A PROBLEM YOU ARE LOCKED TO IT?

>> NO.

THERE'S -- THAT'S OFTEN THE PLUS OF A MEDICARE ADVANTAGE.

A LOT OF TIMES IF YOU CANNOT GET A SUPPLEMENTAL POLICY BECAUSE YOU ARE DENIED BECAUSE OF YOUR HEALTH RISK AND SOMEBODY THAT DIDN'T HAVE THE FORESIGHT YOU DON'T KNOW WHATEVER THE REASON, IF YOU DIDN'T GET A SUPPLEMENTAL POLICY AND FIND YOURSELF SICK AND NOW YOU WANT ONE IT'S LIKELY YOU ARE NOT GOING TO GET ONE.

IT'S HARDER.

BUT ADVANTAGE PLANS THAT IS NOT THE CASE.

THEY TAKE YOU REGARDLESS OF ANY PREEXISTING CONDITION.

>> Jeff: AND CAN YOU LEAVE AT ANY TIME AND GO BACK TO REGULAR?

>> AS LONG YOU HAVE TO WAIT FOR A WINDOW BUT THERE'S NOTHING TYING YOU THERE AS LONG AS YOU WAIT FOR OPEN ENROLLMENT.

IN THE MEDICARE ADVANTAGE WORLD THERE IS NOT JUST THIS FALL OPEN ENROLLMENT THERE IS A NEW MEDICARE ADVANTAGE OPEN ENROLLMENT PERIOD FROM JANUARY 1 TO THE END OF MARCH THAT IS ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY FOR PEOPLE TO NOT VERY POPULAR, I DON'T GET A LOT OF CALLS ABOUT IT BUT IT'S THERE, TOO.

>> Jeff: ALL RIGHT WHAT IS OPEN FOR ENROLL.

CHANGES NOW IS DRUG COVERAGE.

>> YES,.

>> Jeff: WHAT SHOULD PEOPLE CONSIDER?

>> PEOPLE SHOULD LOOK AT THEIR EXISTING PLAN BECAUSE THINGS CHANGE THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF CALLS ABOUT CLOSING ADVANTAGE PLANS CLOSE AND THEY DO THAT FROM YEAR TO YEAR.

THEY CLOSE PLANS AND OPEN NEW PLANS THAT IS NORMAL.

BUT THERE IS A LOT OF CHANGES IN THE STAND ALONE DRUG WORLD AS WELL.

WE ARE SEEING FEWER PLANS AND ALSO SEEING WIDER CHANGES LIKE ONE PLAN WENT IF BEING $47 A MONTH TO $100 A MONTH FOR NEXT YEAR.

SO IF YOU ARE NOT LOOKING AT YOUR EXISTING PLAN, YOU COULD BE IN FOR A SURPRISE JANUARY FIRST.

WHETHER IT'S YOUR FORMULARIES CHANGE AND IT WON'T COVER A CERTAIN DRUG OR YOUR PHARMACY IS NO LONGER IN NETWORK AND JANUARY ONE THAT IS THE POSITION YOU ARE IN, UNLESS WE CAN FIND A LOOPHOLE YOU ARE STUCK IN IT UNTIL NEXT OPEN ENROLLMENT.

>> Jeff: VIEWER QUESTION WAS THERE A GLITCH WHEN THE STATE ENDED PRESCRIPTION COVERAGE FOR STATE RETIREES AND FORCED THEM TO APPLY FOR MEDICARE PART D?

THAT WAS A DECISION THAT WAS MADE.

>> YEAH.

I DO.

I OFTEN REFER SAY I HAVE PTSD FROM THAT SITUATION BECAUSE THE STATE RETIREES WERE GOING TO COME OVER AND WE WERE GOING TO DOUBLE OUR VOLUME IN THE 11TH HOUR THEY SUED THE STATE.

AND IT HELD IT BACK.

BUT NOW IT'S BEEN A COUPLE YEARS SINCE THEY HAVE TRANSITIONED TO IT BUT THE STATE IS USING THEIR OWN CONTRACTOR.

STATE RETIREES IN GENERAL ARE NOT COMING TO US UNLESS THEY ARE DECIDING THEY WANT TO OPT-OUT BECAUSE THERE ARE ADDITIONAL BENEFITS THEY ARE RECEIVING.

I DON'T KNOW UNLESS THERE'S SOMETHING SPECIFIC BEING REFERRED TO I CAN'T THINK OF ANY GLITCHES.

>> Jeff: ARE THERE SCAMS OUT THERE, I ONE DOCTOR WHEN BIG MONEY IS INVOLVED, THESE ARE BIG COMPANIES WITH MEDICARE ADVANTAGE PLANS AND OTHER SUPPLEMENTAL PLANS THAT THEY COULD BE SOLD TOO AGGRESSIVELY SOMETHING WE SAW WHEN THE ELECTRICITY MARKET WAS DEREGULATED.

THERE WAS SOME SLAMMING WAS THE TERM FROM THE OLD TELEPHONE DAYS.

AND TALKING PEOPLE INTO SOMETHING WITHOUT FULLY DISCLOSING THE COMPLEXITIES OF IT?

>> THERE'S DEFINITELY ALWAYS SOME SORT OF SCAM GOING ON IN THE MEDICARE WORLD.

I THINK ONE OF THE MOST HISTORICALLY POPULAR ONES ARE PEOPLE RECEIVING A DURABLE MEDICAL EQUIPMENT IN THE MAIL LIKE BACK BRACES AND SUCH.

DEPENDING ON WHAT IS GOING ON.

THERE'S ALWAYS SOMETHING HAPPENING.

AND I THINK ALSO, TOO, WITH THESE MEDICARE ADVANTAGE PLANS IT OPENS UP THE DOOR TO A LOT MORE CONFUSION.

LAST YEAR THERE WAS A PLAN WITH A ZERO PREMIUM AND PEOPLE WEREN'T PAYING ATTENTION TO A DEDUCTIBLE OF $800 AND GIVING UP SUPPLEMENTAL POLICIES A ZERO PREMIUM AND MUCH OLDER WOMAN AND WHENEVER THEY CALL THE NICE YOUNG MAN ON THE PHONE WAS HE A NICE YOUNG MAN, THOUGH?

BECAUSE THEY DON'T UNDERSTAND WHAT THEY ARE DOING.

SO I THINK, THAT IT IS A LOT OF OPPORTUNITY FOR PEOPLE TO MAKE DECISIONS WITHOUT FULLY UNDERSTANDING OR I WISH THEY HAD CALLED US FIRST SO WE COULD HAVE AT LEAST EMPOWERED THEM TO KNOW WHAT TO ASK.

>> Jeff: LET'S TALK ABOUT WHO CAN CALL YOU.

THE SHIP PROGRAM TALK ABOUT HOW THAT WORKS AND HOW SOMEBODY CAN GET ONE-ON-ONE TRUSTWORTHY ADVICE?

>> THERE IS A SHIP IN EVERY COUNTY COOS THE COUNTRY.

ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

IT'S FEDERALLY OVERSEEN BUT AS I SAID THERE'S LOCAL OFFICES BECAUSE THERE IS NO LOCAL MEDICARE CUSTOMER SERVICE OFFICE.

THAT'S WHERE SHIP COMES INTO PLAY WHEN METHODDY GAPS WERE CREATED WE CAME IN TO HELP.

YOU CAN CALL THERE IS A WEBSITE WHERE YOU CAN FIND A SHIP LOCATER AND IT'S THE I WORK FOR IT AND I CAN'T REMEMBER IT.

>> Jeff: WE WILL HAVE IT ON THE SCREEN.

>> IF YOU GO TO THE WEBSITE THERE IS A LOCATER WHERE YOU PUT IN YOUR ZIP CODE AND IT WILL GIVE YOU THE SHIP FOR YOUR COUNTY AND YOU CALL.

AND EVERY SHIP IS RUN DIFFERENT.

SOME ARE SMALLER SOME ARE BIGGER.

BUT WE'RE ALWAYS HERE TO HELP PEOPLE AND ESPECIALLY DURING OPEN ENROLLMENT WE SEE POST OF OUR INVOLVEMENT DURING OPEN ENROLLMENT.

>> Jeff: FRANK WANTS TO KNOW ARE THE PREMIUMS TIERED TO ONE A INCOME LEVEL AS IS THE CASE FOR MEDICARE PART B AND THE PRESCRIPTION PLANS PART D, I DIDN'T KNOW PART D WAS TIERED.

CAN MEDICARE ADVANTAGE PLANS CHARGE YOU MORE BASED ON YOUR INCOME?

>> NO.

TECHNICALLY THEY ARE NOT A PART OF MEDICARE.

IT IS A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT.

SO THERE IS NO WHAT WE CALL IRMA THE INCREASE ACCORDING TO YOUR INCOME INVOLVED WHEN IT COMES TO MEDICARE ADVANTAGE PLANS.

>> Jeff: WHAT IS THE MOST EFFICIENT WAY TO APPLY FOR MEDICARE?

>> THROUGH SOCIAL SECURITY.

>> Jeff: AND YOU HAVE TO DO IT THERE IS A DEADLINE THAT YOU DON'T WANT TO MISS, RIGHT?

>> WHEN YOU -- IT DEPENDS.

>> Jeff: YOU SAID THAT ONCE OR TWICE.

>> IT DEPENDS THERE ARE CERTAIN WINDOWS THAT BECOME AVAILABLE ONE IS WHEN YOU TURN 65.

A LOT OF PEOPLE THINK THEY HAVE TO SIGN UP TO AVOID A PENALTY AS LONG AS YOU ARE WORKING AND HAVE INSURANCE FROM AN EMPLOYER YOU ARE FINE.

A LOT OF PEOPLE TAKE PART A AND WAIT UNTIL THEY RETIRE AND THEN WHEN YOU RETIRE THAT IS A DIFFERENT STORY.

YOU GET AN EIGHT-MONTH WINDOW ONCE YOU LOSE COVERAGE OR STOP WORKING.

BUT MOST PEOPLE SET THAT UP A COUPLE MONTHS AHEAD OF TIME TO AVOID A COVERAGE GAP.

>> Jeff: AYSE TOKBAY HAS A LOT OF ANSWERS TO COMPLICATED QUESTIONS, INCLUDING IT DEPENDS.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>> Jeff: THAT IS "DIRECT CONNECTION" FOR THIS WEEK WE'RE BACK FRIDAY WITH "STATE CIRCLE" AND THE LATEST ON MARYLAND POLITICS INCLUDING THE POSSIBILITY OF A SPECIAL SESSION OF THE MARYLAND GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

JOIN US FOR THAT FRIDAY EVENING AT 7:00 P.M.

REMEMBER, YOU CAN ALWAYS SEE PAST EDITIONS OF OUR PROGRAMS, THEY ARE ON-LINE AT VIDEO.MPT.TV.

ALSO ON THE FREE PBS APP.

AND YOU CAN FIND US ON SOCIAL MEDIA AT MPT NEWS.

FOR ALL OF US AT MPT THANK YOU FOR WATCHING.

AND HAVE A GOOD NIGHT.

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