Medicare Consultant Talks About Changes for 2012

People who usually wait until the end of the year to enroll in a Medicare program might be in trouble this year, said Dianne Jones, a licensed benefit consultant with Aetna Medicare.

The biggest change in Medicare this year is that the enrollment period, which usually runs from mid-November until the end of the year, is now Oct. 15 to Dec. 7, she said at a program sponsored by the Human Services Department.

Medicare recipients should receive a mailing this week or next outlining all of the changes, Jones said. One change that still hasn't been settled is the cost of Medicare Part B monthly premiums, which were $115.40 or $96.40 in 2011, depending on how long you've been in the program.

Jones detailed the differences between Parts A (hospitalization), B (doctor bills, lab expenses, etc.), C (Medicare Advantage Plan) and D (prescription drug coverage).

She also talked about Medicare Advantage Plans offered by Aetna, including an HMO plan that has no monthly premium and an annual in-network out of pocket maximum of $3,000.

"You just have to make sure your doctors and hospitals are in the network," she said, adding that the Cleveland Clinic and University Hospitals are part of the network, as well as about 96 percent of doctors in Cuyahoga County.

Although not specific to Medicare, Jones cautioned that people should call before going to see a doctor if they're concerned about a facility fee. One couple mentioned that they paid $250 each when they went for colonoscopies.

Jones said it's best to call and check because even facilities that aren't attached to or a part of a hospital might still charge the fee because they're affiliated with the hospital.

For more information, Jones can be reached at JonesD12@aetna.com or toll-free at 866-546-1797, ext. 13.