Plans change every year and your situation can change, so it is important to analyze the best plan for your needs each year. The choices you make can save you hundreds or even thousands of dollars. Prescription drug coverage part of the cost puzzle. Do the various plans cover the drugs you take and how much will your prescriptions cost under each plan?
The website: www.medicare.gov offers a ‘Medicare Plan Finder’ to help compare plans that best meet your needs. Another website with helpful information is: www.mymedicarematters.org/enrollment. After you’ve narrowed your options, you can call the plans you’re interested in to get more details about their benefits and services, or check out their websites.
If this is all too overwhelming, Jewish Family Services can help you sift through the details. Kelly Loeb, JFS’ older adult care manager, is happy to meet with members of the community and look at their specific needs. “I help Medicare beneficiaries review their Medicare prescription drug coverage and/or Medicare Advantage health plans to ensure they have the plans with the best cost, coverage and convenience. In many cases, I have been able to help beneficiaries find plans that cost less I can also help people who are new to Medicare and answer questions about using Medicare’s benefits.”
Kelly has been successful in helping people save money. In 2015, the average savings she helped beneficiaries get was $1,100 for the year; the minimum savings was $360.
Those interested in meeting with Kelly should email her at kloeb@jfskc.org or call her directly at (913) 327-8278 to make an appointment. She can meet with people at either the Kansas or Missouri JFS offices, whichever is most convenient. Those making appointments should bring with them a list of their current prescription medications and their Medicare card.