Tuesday, October 17, 2017

Medicare open enrollment begins.

Insurance Commissioner Mike Chaney issued the following statement.

Chaney Reminds Seniors to Review Coverage During Medicare Open Enrollment


Jackson – Open enrollment for Medicare prescription drug coverage and Medicare Advantage runs from October 15-December 7, 2017. Commissioner of Insurance Mike Chaney reminds Mississippi senior citizens and Medicare recipients to carefully review the coverage and benefits of their policies.


All Medicare beneficiaries may change their Medicare Advantage and prescription drug coverage for the coming year, during this time. Beneficiaries should carefully investigate plan benefits and choices. New benefit choices will take effect January 1, 2018. Seniors may also receive Medicare and health insurance counseling from the Mississippi Department of Human Services – Division of Aging and Adult Services at (888) 240-7539.


“As a reminder to seniors, Medicare is NOT a part of the federal Health Insurance Marketplace and those who are receiving their health insurance benefits through Medicare will continue to do so rather than switch to the Health Insurance Marketplace,” Chaney said.


He added that if a senior purchases a plan through the Marketplace, they lose their Medicare coverage and are not eligible for the Marketplace subsidy. Also, depending on their situation, when the senior decides to leave the Marketplace, a late enrollment penalty for Medicare may apply. Regardless of whether a senior has Original Medicare or a Medicare Advantage Plan, the federal Marketplace will not affect coverage.


“It is extremely important to make sure which plan is best for your budget, especially during difficult economic times,” Chaney said.


If anyone uses questionable or abusive sale practices when talking to you regarding your Medicare Advantage or prescription drug plan, report them to the Mississippi Insurance Department. State and federal rules are in place to protect consumers against sales and marketing abuses. Individuals who contact you about any type of private Medicare coverage:

· Must be licensed by the state. Check with the Mississippi Insurance Department to make sure the salesperson is a licensed agent.

· May not make unsolicited contact, such as door-to-door sales, cold calls or approaching you in a parking lot.

· Must make an appointment before coming to your home.

· Must arrange in advance the type of products that will be discussed during a scheduled sales appointment. At the appointment, the salesperson may not try to sell you other types of insurance coverage other than the type(s) agreed upon in advance.

· May not try to sell you non-health care related products (like a life insurance policy or an annuity) during a sales or marketing presentation of a Medicare prescription drug or Medicare Advantage plan.

· May not attempt to sell you a plan in certain health care settings, such as a doctor’s office or a pharmacy.

· May not attempt to sell you a plan at an educational event.

· May not offer you free meals at promotional or sales events.


To protect Mississippians from becoming victims of Medicare fraud, the MID reminds consumers of these safety tips.


· Beware of door-to-door salespeople. Remember, agents cannot solicit business at your home without an appointment. Do not allow uninvited agents into your home.

· Do not give out personal information, such as Social Security numbers, bank account numbers or credit card numbers to anyone you have not verified as a licensed agent. People are not allowed to request such personal information in their marketing activities and cannot ask for payment over the Internet. They must send you a bill. Once you decide to purchase a plan and have verified that the agent is licensed, you may give the agent personal information to assist in enrollment and billing.

· Verify that the plan you have chosen is an approved Medicare plan. All of the approved plans are available at www.medicare.gov or by calling 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227).


Federal assistance is available to Medicare beneficiaries who meet certain income requirements. If you think you may qualify, call the Social Security Administration at 1-800-SSA-1213 (1-800-772-1213). For more information about your Medicare prescription drug options, including an online Medicare Prescription Drug Plan Finder, go to www.medicare.gov.


If you believe you have been a victim of abusive sales practices, contact the MID Consumer Services Division at 800-562-2957 or go to the MID website at www.mid.ms.gov.

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

This is as bad as the State Treasurer claiming to somehow be responsible for financial literacy. Medicare is a federal program administered by CMS, but ol' Mike wants us to think he somehow is responsible for making sure we get our Medicare. Smart from a political standpoint, but a little bit misleading. Of course, that is what politics is all about.

Anonymous said...

He's just doing his job, and I thank him for it. Only the most illiterate and ignorant among us would think Medicare flows from him or the state insurance department, and they wouldn't be able to read or understand the public announcement anyway.

Anonymous said...

"Seniors may also receive Medicare and health insurance counseling from the Mississippi Department of Human Services"

No reflection on Chaney, as he is a mighty fine man.....but, can you imagine calling the Welfare Office (that's what it is) for COUNSELING on Medicare and Health Insurance? (or any damned other thing).....well, not counting the scheme of taking off early on Fridays and booking a bunch of sick leave toward PERS credit years.



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Trollfest '09

Trollfest '07 was such a success that Jackson Jambalaya will once again host Trollfest '09. Catch this great event which will leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Othor Cain and his band, The Black Power Structure headline the night while Sonjay Poontang returns for an encore performance. Former Frank Melton bodyguard Marcus Wright makes his premier appearance at Trollfest singing "I'm a Sweet Transvestite" from "The Rocky Horror Picture Show." Kamikaze will sing his new hit, “How I sold out to da Man.” Robbie Bell again performs: “Mamas, don't let your babies grow up to be Bells” and “Any friend of Ed Peters is a friend of mine”. After the show, Ms. Bell will autograph copies of her mug shot photos. In a salute to “Dancing with the Stars”, Ms. Bell and Hinds County District Attorney Robert Smith will dance the Wango Tango.

Wrestling returns, except this time it will be a Battle Royal with Othor Cain, Ben Allen, Kim Wade, Haley Fisackerly, Alan Lange, and “Big Cat” Donna Ladd all in the ring at the same time. The Battle Royal will be in a steel cage, no time limit, no referee, and the losers must leave town. Marshand Crisler will be the honorary referee (as it gives him a title without actually having to do anything).


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Trollfest '09 is a pet-friendly event as well. Feel free to bring your dog with you and do not worry if your pet gets hungry, as employees of the Jackson Zoo will be on hand to provide some of their animals as food when it gets to be feeding time for your little loved one.

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This is definitely a Beaver production.


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Trollfest '07

Jackson Jambalaya is the home of Trollfest '07. Catch this great event which promises to leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Sonjay Poontang and his band headline the night with a special steel cage, no time limit "loser must leave town" bout between Alan Lange and "Big Cat"Donna Ladd following afterwards. Kamikaze will perform his new song F*** Bush, he's still a _____. Did I mention there was no referee? Dr. Heddy Matthias and Lori Gregory will face off in the undercard dueling with dangling participles and other um, devices. Robbie Bell will perform Her two latest songs: My Best Friends are in the Media and Mama's, Don't Let Your Babies Grow up to be George Bell. Sid Salter of The Clarion-Ledger will host "Pin the Tail on the Trial Lawyer", sponsored by State Farm.

There will be a hugging booth where in exchange for your young son, Frank Melton will give you a loooong hug. Trollfest will have a dunking booth where Muhammed the terrorist will curse you to Allah as you try to hit a target that will drop him into a vat of pig grease. However, in the true spirit of Separate But Equal, Don Imus and someone from NE Jackson will also sit in the dunking booth for an equal amount of time. Tom Head will give a reading for two hours on why he can't figure out who the hell he is. Cliff Cargill will give lessons with his .80 caliber desert eagle, using Frank Melton photos as targets. Tackleberry will be on hand for an autograph session. KIM Waaaaaade will be passing out free titles and deeds to crackhouses formerly owned by The Wood Street Players.

If you get tired come relax at the Fox News Tent. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both will entitle you to free drinks.Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required, just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '07 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.

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