This year’s open enrollment brings good news for Medicare beneficiaries in Clark County: no major changes to advantage plans or premium prices.
Still, Statewide Health Insurance Benefits Advisors, or SHIBA, recommends everyone on Medicare review their health plans during open enrollment, even if they’re happy with their current coverage.
Open enrollment began Oct. 15 and runs through Dec. 7.
“We call this our annual checkup,” said Gayle Mitchell, the program coordinator for SHIBA Vancouver.
In Clark County, most beneficiaries are enrolled in Medicare Advantage Plans, rather than traditional Medicare, Mitchell said. Local seniors can choose from 25 advantage plans offered by seven organizations. Those are the same plans currently offered; none were dropped, Mitchell said. And none of organizations made significant changes to their plans’ rates or deductibles. Most increased monthly premiums by a dollar or two, she said.
The same will likely be true for folks with Medicare Part B plans, Mitchell said, although those rates aren’t yet available.
“Generally, you’ll come out paying a little more,” she said.
In Skamania County, however, the one Medicare Advantage Plan available to seniors — a Regence BlueCross BlueShield plan — will no longer be available in 2017, Mitchell said. Beneficiaries there will revert to traditional Medicare plans and will need to add a drug plan. They may also want to add a supplemental plan, she said.
“That’s happened a lot in the rural, smaller counties,” Mitchell said. “This was the year for Skamania to get hit.”
Provider changes
Even though Clark County plans aren’t changing dramatically, that doesn’t mean individual medical providers haven’t changed their contracts with plans. Mitchell, for example, learned recently that her physician will no longer accept her plan, which means she needs to decide whether to find a new plan or a new doctor.
That’s why SHIBA recommends everyone take time to review their plans. Check to make sure your providers are still accepting your health plan and review your plan’s drug formulary to ensure pricey medications will be covered.
“With so many specialty drugs, they can be thousands of dollars per month,” Mitchell said.
If you’re looking for a new plan, or enrolling for the first time, it’s important to consider other potential costs for the year, such as medical procedures you may need, Mitchell said.
“It’s all about comparison shopping,” she said. “Don’t just buy the plan with the lowest premium.”
For those who need help comparing plans or reviewing their current coverage, SHIBA offers free counseling. Hourlong appointments are available Tuesday through Thursday at the Vancouver SHIBA office, 5411 E. Mill Plain Blvd. Suite 20. Call 360-947-2479 to schedule an appointment. Walk-in slots are available from 1 to 3 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays.
SHIBA also hosts community events where people can learn more about Medicare and how to enroll. The next open enrollment clinic is noon to 2 p.m. Monday at the Cascade Park Community Library, 600 N.E. 136th Ave.
Advantage plan information is also available for comparison on the Medicare website, www.medicare.gov
