This is Medicare information season, and a good crowd of people went to the Bowyer Community Building for Newman Regional’s now-annual Medicare Town Hall on Wednesday.
Residents had a chance to learn more about the differences and overlapping commonalities between original Medicare, run by the federal government, and Medicare Advantage as operated by private insurers. Both cover hospital and medical bills, both have eligibility at age 65 and both have annual enrollment periods. However, original Medicare includes Part A or inpatient coverage and Part B or outpatient coverage. It also puts limits on how much doctors charge. Medicare Advantage has to provide the same benefits through its Part C private health plans, but it can have different rules on provider networks. It can also have different costs and restrictions.
Besides learning more about general differences between original Medicare and Medicare advantage, residents could also get more information about their prescription coverage options. And Newman Community Rx pharmacist Amber Haag says there are — as usual — some changes
Nearly 70 million people nationwide are enrolled in Medicare, up from 55 million a decade ago. Given the increase in people eligible for Medicare and federal adjustments under the Trump administration, Haag says it’s vitally important to find somebody you can trust.
Close to 90 people attended the town hall.
The Medicare open enrollment period goes from Oct. 15-Dec. 7.
