Shopping for Your Best 2009 Medicare Options

Each year Medicare allows its participants to change plans. Open enrollment for "Part D" runs from November 15th through December 31st. Open enrollment for "Part C" Medicare Advantage plans and Medicare Supplements runs January through March.

Anyone wishing to save money on their health care coverage should compare plan costs at this time. A website at www.medicare.gov offers "Part D" comparisons and other helpful information on Medicare-related services. Another website at www.ohioinsurance.gov offers Medicare Advantage and MedSup plan comparisons.

If you are not computer savvy, do not understand what the plan information means, or you need help changing plans, please call the office at 988-5822 to make an appointment. Time slots fill up fast so it's best to call early to mid-November.

Absentee Ballots

Absentee ballots will be available one month before the general election, which falls on Tuesday, November 4th this year. If you cannot get out to vote but would like to have a say in who becomes our next president, call the Senior Service Office at 988-5822 or the Board of Elections at 326-5900 to have an application for an absentee ballot mailed directly to you.

The Ohio Partnership for Long-Term Care Insurance is a collaboration between the state of Ohio and private insurance companies created to encourage Ohioans to plan for their long-term care needs.

This partnership established "qualified partnership policies" which offers a unique benefit of Medicaid asset protection - not available in other long-term care policies sold in Ohio. In addition to long-term care coverage, you will be able to keep more of your assets if you ever need to apply for Medicaid long-term care services. Ohioans without a partnership policy who need Medicaid long-term care services must deplete almost all of their assets to qualify for the Medicaid program.

How do I know if a partnership policy is right for me? Generally, financial planners recommend considering long-term care insurance if you:

• own total assets of at least $75,000 (not including your home or car) that you want to protect;
• have annual retirement income of at least $25,000 to $35,000 for an individual or $35,000 to $50,000 for a couple that you want to protect or that would allow you to pay out-of-pocket for your long-term care needs;

• are able to pay premiums without financial difficulty;
• want to leave an inheritance to your family or other heirs; and
• have already decided on the type of health care you want in the future.

People also buy long-term care insurance for peace of mind, greater independence, greater ability to receive care at home, and greater choice of care options.

Why would I need Medicaid if I already have a partnership policy? Long-term care is expensive and you may have expenses that exceed your long-term care insurance coverage. If so, you can apply for Medicaid to help pay the difference between what the policy covers and what is owed. Owning a partnership policy allows you to keep assets that exceed the typical Medicaid limit and still qualify for the Medicaid program.

"Planning for Your Future" Seminar

Many people call me with questions about planning for their future care or that of a family member. On Sunday, October 12th from 1 PM - 4 PM, the "Henrietta United Methodist Church" which is located at 52148 St. Rt. 113 will be hosting a seminar dealing with planning for your future.

Elder lawyer, Gayle Reeves of Vermilion, will cover "Estate Planning" and "Long-term Care Planning". Eric Hempel of Hempel Funeral Home in Amherst will address "Funeral Planning".

Also on Sunday, October 12th there will be a "Blood Drive" from 10AM - 1PM and an "Information Fair" from 12 - 1PM. This will be a great place for older adults to come with their adult children to get their questions answered for free. If you have further questions about the event, you may call my office 988-5822.

Implementation Delayed for DMEPOS Competitive Bidding Program

The Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008, enacted on July 15, 2008, has delayed the Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics and Supplies (DMEPOS) Competitive Bidding Program for 18 months. Any enrolled DMEPOS supplier (i.e. anyone currently accepting Medicare's payment for the DMEPOS supplies they sell) can still furnish items that had been included in the first round of DMEPOS Competitive Bidding. This time extension will allow consumers, providers and Medicare more time to make sure the best program for all involved is implemented and also to educate its consumers.