Health Insurance Update, Medicare

S E N I O R S U P D A T E

Health Insurance Changes for 2010

Now is the time to review your health insurance coverage to make sure the health coverage that you have for 2009 will be the best for you in 2010. Some of the changes include:

Medicare Part A deductible for hospital admissions from 1-60 days will increase to $1,100 from $1,068 in 2009.

Medicare Part B helps cover doctors' services and outpatient care. The Part B premium for 2010 will remain $96.40 for Medicare recipients who currently pay $96.40 for their Part B premium, currently receive Social Security and have their Part B premium of $96.40 withdrawn from their Social Security payment each month, and have an income of less than $85,000 (for individuals). This is the result of a 0% Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) for 2010.

If your income is between $787 and $1,239 per month (for individuals), you may be eligible for a Medicare Savings Program. If eligible, you may receive assistance in paying your Medicare Part B premium, annual deductible and coinsurance.

Medicare Supplement Plans (also called Medigap Plans), may change for 2010. Now is the time to review your current plan to make sure it still provides the coverage you need. These plans are optional and provide supplemental coverage to Medicare.

Part C - a Medicare Advantage Plan (Managed Care Plan) is health coverage provided by Medicare approved private insurance companies. It is very important to review your premium and/or coverage. You may have received a letter suggesting that you review your current plan. In some situations, you may be dropped from your current plan for 2010. If you do not select another plan, or if you do not enroll into original Medicare, or if you do not select a Medigap plan, you will be automatically enrolled in original Medicare without a Prescription Drug (Part D) plan for 2010. If you do not enroll in a new Part D plan, you will not have prescription coverage in 2010. You will not be able to enroll in a Prescription Drug plan until November, 2010.

Part D - Prescription Drug Coverage is not provided within traditional Medicare. You can enroll in or change your current Prescription Drug plan between November 15th to December 31st. Plan coverage will begin on January 1st. If you are already enrolled in a Part D plan, now is the time to review and confirm that the plan still meets your prescription needs.

The Health Insurance Information, Counseling and Assistance Program (HIICAP) provides comprehensive, unbiased information, education and assistance to Medicare beneficiaries, their families and persons soon to be eligible for Medicare.

For more information or for assistance:

If you are over 60, please call Suffolk County Office for the Aging's HIICAP unit at (631) 853-6651 or the Medicare Rights Center, toll free at 1-800-333-4114.

If you are under 60, please call the Empire Justice Center, toll free at 1-800-635-0355 extension 112.

After normal business hours, please call 1-800-Medicare.

You can also visit Medicare's website at http://www.medicare.gov.


Questions? Please contact: Office for the Aging Phone:(631) 853-8200

E-mail: aging.office@suffolkcountyny.gov