No subjects interest seniors more than the twin topics of Social Security and Medicare. Because those matters are so important to our seniors, we like to keep up with them from time to time. In 2019, there are some changes to the Medicare program that may affect you. Here are a few:
- Medicare premiums and deductibles for Parts A and B have increased slightly in 2019. Most seniors pay nothing for Part A (hospital expenses) coverage but the deductible has risen to $1364 in 2019. The Medicare Part B standard monthly premiums cost rose $1.50 to $135.50. Medicare beneficiaries with annual incomes greater than $85,000 will pay more. Annual deductibles have risen by $2 to $185 during 2019.
- Medicare Prescription Drug Costs (Part D). In 2019 the national average for Part D premiums is $33.19 per month, but the amount you pay for your prescription drugs on Medicare depends on which Part D prescription drug plan you have. Part D deductibles vary, but in 2019 they cannot exceed $415. If you have ever entered the “donut hole” or coverage gap on Part D, you will be glad to hear that Congress passed legislation that will be closing the gap for brand-name drugs in 2019. The coverage gap will close for generic drugs in 2020, at which point you will pay 25% of the cost of your brand-name drugs.
- Changes in Medicare Advantage Plans. In 2019, you’ll have the opportunity to change your coverage using the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period. This window lasts from January 1 to March 31, 2019. During this time, you can ‘test drive’ your Medicare Advantage Plan and change to another one or to “Original Medicare.” Changes made during the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period become effective the month after the one in which you make the adjustment.
The Advantage Plan changes mean that there may be more options available to seniors in 2019, but, it may become more difficult to compare these options. If all of this seems complicated to you, do not feel alone. OurSeniors.net understands how confusing or even intimidating all of this can be to seniors and their loved ones. That is why we seek out partners that are able to help, well-informed experts in fields like medicine, law and specialized areas like Medicare insurance plans.
In March, the OurSeniors.net Brunch and Learn series will present a speaker who is uniquely qualified to help you understand the choices open to you. Ms. Susana Redmond with Humana will be speaking on the subject of qualifying for extra help meeting drug costs. This OurSeniors.net speaker can help answer questions about Part D and drug coverage, so plan now to attend!
Brunch and Learn Events run from 10 A.M. to Noon, at D.B. Pickles Restaurant (click for map directions) in Ormond Beach. You can make your reservation by calling OurSeniors.net at 386-259-6722 or by clicking
OurSeniors.net Brunch and Learn Events.
OurSeniors.net exists to serve the needs of seniors, their families and their loved ones. We do our best to cover topics important to the senior lifestyle, senior living and senior living resources. Right now, OurSeniors.net is working hard to bring you an important addition to those senior living resources, the OurSeniorsDiscounts.net Program. Starting with the April 2019 edition of our printed and online magazine for seniors, OurSeniors.net Magazine, each printed copy will include a pullout section containing coupon offers aimed especially at seniors. The online edition of the magazine will have the same offers available for printing and will have a new website dedicated to these important offers. You can preview the site now by clicking OurSeniorsDiscounts.net.
For help with all your senior lifestyle questions, you can contact an OurSeniors.net Advisor by phone at 866-333-2657 (se habla Español), or by using Contact Us. Check out our website at Ourseniors.net and take an online look at our senior living magazine, OurSeniors.net Magazine.
Have a great day, a great week and check out the OurSeniorsDiscounts.net site and the OurSeniors.net Brunch and Learn Events.
