Medicare open enrollment began October 15 and runs through December 7. It’s the time when beneficiaries can make changes in their health plan or prescription drug coverage and other options that take effect January 1.
Free and objective counseling is available to help beneficiaries navigate their options. The New York State Office for the Aging (NYSOFA) encourages older New Yorkers to utilize this assistance. It is available through the NYSOFA-administered Health Insurance Information, Counseling and Assistance Program (HIICAP), which helped 248,000 New Yorkers in 2021. To reach a local counselor, call the helpline at 800-701-0501.
NYSOFA Director Greg Olsen said: “Your insurance coverage changes from year to year. So do your individual needs as a Medicare beneficiary, such as newly prescribed prescription drugs, having different physicians who may not be in a plan’s network, or changes in your financial status that might make you eligible for assistance to cover out-of-pocket costs. HIICAP counselors are a trusted resource to review your current needs and help you make informed decisions, especially at this critical time during open enrollment. Every beneficiary should take this opportunity to fine-tune their needs.”
NYSOFA will be featuring a livestream on Facebook covering “Medicare Open Enrollment: What You Need to Know” on October 27 at 1 p.m. The program is part of a monthly series where NYSOFA Director Greg Olsen features guest experts on topics of interest to older adults.
NYSOFA’s guests on October 27 include Heather Leddick, who is the primary administrator for HIICAP in New York State. She’ll discuss the HIICAP program, what it offers, and how to get assistance. The livestream will also include Frederic Riccardi, President of the Medicare Rights Center. He’ll explain the 2023 changes in Medicare, including expansion of Medicaid and the Medicare Savings Program (MSP), among other updates.
RSVP for the program at https://bit.ly/3CsMOMj or head to NYSOFA’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/NYSAGING on October 27 at 1 p.m. to watch the program and ask questions of the experts in the livestream chat.
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