Medicare Open Enrollment with Josh Kinzel, Seniority Benefit Group

We welcome back friend of the podcast Josh Kinzel from Seniority Benefit Group.

It's Open Enrollment for Medicare recipients and needless to say, there are always questions!

Even if we are not old enough for Medicare, we may be assisting our older relatives to navigate the complexity of this program. And actually, that is what Seniority Benefit Group, and other “connectors” provide – the demystifying of the process. Josh talks a bit more about the hows and the whys of Seniority Benefit Group.

There are 3 basic areas that we need to remember – the basic “Medicare Plan” and what it covers, the “Supplement Plan” and what it covers, as well as the “Part D – Pharmacy Plan” and what it covers. Depending on the individual’s needs and preferences, this could be 3 different parts of their health care or all one rolled into an Advantage plan.

So, let's say, I am turning 65 and know I need to be on Medicare. What should I do in preparation for my 65th Birthday?

As someone turning 65, he or she knows that they need to understand their own medical history and needs in order to choose the best plan. Josh covers how an individual should describe their health issues and physical abilities. There are specific areas in each plan that an individual should pay very close attention to.

Part D which covers prescriptions has been a hot item for years. If you are a new Medicare patient should beware of some new points.

Even if an individual gets through their first year of Medicare with no problems, there may be issues that they wish they knew about before making decisions on health plans. Josh gives us a list of things to watch for to avoid making obvious mistakes.

Resources we mention in the podcast.

Medicare (official website)  https://www.medicare.gov/ 

“Medicare and You” Handbook for 2021 https://www.medicare.gov/Pubs/pdf/10050-Medicare-and-You.pdf 

Medicare Education and Outreach (Central Ohio Area Agency on Aging programs provided free to assist in educating individuals on Medicare)    http://coaaa.org/cms/services/medicare 

Ohio Department of Insurance  https://insurance.ohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/odi

Ohio Senior Health Insurance Information Program (OSHIIP) 1-800-686-1578

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Recorded in Studio C at 511 Studios. A production of Circle270Media Podcast Consultants.