Medicare: PA MEDI Helps Explain Plans
By Gail K. Kachnycz on 25 October 2024
If you are caring
for someone with chronic illness, you may be dealing with insurance provided by
Medicare. This government health insurance is available to those over 65 years,
but in some cases may be available to people under 65. For example, my husband
Mike was eligible for Medicare after he had been on long-term disability for
two years, even though he was younger than 65 years.
Open Enrollment,
that is, the opportunity to change coverage options, is occurring now. From October
15, 2024 through December 7, 2024, changes can be made which will be active
starting January 1, 2025. Media advertisements and direct mailings offer a
dizzying number of plans. Processing this overwhelming amount of information
can be confusing. However, there is help that is not biased or promoting a
specific insurance agency or plan. PA
MEDI (Medicare Education and Decision Insight Program) is a statewide
service operated by the Pennsylvania Department of Aging through the state’s
Area Agencies on Aging. The program offers free, unbiased, confidential
counseling regarding Medicare enrollment and selection of plans. An appointment
is needed. The ideal time to contact this organization is three months
before a person’s 65 th birthday, when they are first eligible for Medicare.
Help during Open Enrollment is also available. Another time when the
plan can be changed is after a “qualifying event.” Examples include (but are
not limited to) getting married, moving to a new area, or experiencing a shift
in employment status.
There are two service providers in Philadelphia:
215-456-7600 Einstein Medical Center (now part of the
Jefferson system)
215-545-5728 Center for Advocacy for the Rights and
Interests of Elders (CARIE)
There is a Helpline for those who do not live in
Philadelphia:
1-800-783-7067 PA MEDI Helpline; toll free, call weekdays 8
AM to 5 PM
More information
is available on the website of the Philadelphia Corporation for Aging
Select “Services,” “Community & Connection,” then “Medicare
Help for Older Philadelphians through PA MEDI” or use the direct link:
No comments
Post a Comment