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Michael T Braden August 28, 2024 CARING FOR AGING PARENTS
HELPING LOVED ONES AND FAMILY MEMBERS WITH THEIR MEDICARE
Often, as we get older, we are not really cognizant of what sort of shape our parents are in. We have been busy with our lives, and honestly, most people are just not aware of the changes that theur parents are constantly grappling with. There comes a time when we need to Care for them, in teh same loving manner they hcared for us growing up. Providing Care for aginging parents and other family members is what tthis article is all about.
How to help our parents understand Medicare. There is a lot of information, and you being interested and involved means a lot to your parents. It will also help you understand how Medicare works, which will come in handy in the future.
HOW YOU CAN PROVIDE CARE FOR AGING PARENTS, AUNT, UNCLE, GRANDPARENT(S) WITH THEIR MEDICARE OPTIONS
For many people the worst part of retirement is in the beginning, starting about 3 months after they turn 64 when their mailbox begins filling up weekly with advertisements from anyone and everyone associated with Medicare and especially Medicare Advantage plans. During this time most consumers are amazed and a little confused by the concept of Medicare and many have no idea where to turn to start their research on the subject of Medicare. The majority of our clients say that the entire process is confusing and overwhelming.
For this reason we at Braden Medicare advise everyone to call 2-3 local Medicare Brokers and just get to know them. Ask questions and decide who you believe you might enjoy working with. Brokers never charge for their services and they are equipped and licensed to carry both Medicare Supplement and Medicare Advantage plans. They truly are a one-stop shop for all things Medicare.
Another suggestion we always make is to ask each potential client if they have a Son, Daughter, Niece, or Nephew who might assist them in their search. At some point, every Medicare Beneficiary should have a relative who understands the process and who also is familiar with the plan you choose. You may not think it seems very important at the time, but having that person well-versed in Medicare who understands your plan, really is an invaluable asset to you. They can help do the research and they often are the ones to inform caregivers about your plan, your doctors, and your wishes for care in the future.
HOW TO CARE FOR AGING PARENTS
IF YOUR RELATIVES ALREADY HAVE A MEDICARE PLAN AND WANT TO SHARE THAT INFORMATION WITH A FAMILY MEMBER, TRY THESE STEPS TO HELP GET YOU STARTED:
The first thing you will want to accomplish is to determine which Medicare Plan they have. There are three ways you can do this. First, ask them to show you the Medicare card they use when they see a doctor. If it is the red, white, and blue card with their Medicare number and Parts A & B start dates, they have Original Medicare. If they show you a card from an insurance company with either HMO or PPO designations, they have a Medicare Advantage Plan.
Second, they should have a free www.mymedicare.gov account that will provide a history of their medical care and prescriptions. It will also show which insurance they are using. If they have never set this up on the www.medicare.gov website, you can assist them in setting one up.
Lastly, you can call 1-800-MEDICARE. The Medicare representative will need your parent's permission to speak with you. They should be able to answer all your questions regarding which plan your parent has. This is important because once you set this up one time, you will always be able to assist your parent/relative anytime you need to speak with anyone at Medicare. And do not be nervous when calling, Medicare has done an excellent job of training their customer service agents and they are as nice as they are helpful.
Encourage your parents/relatives to stay socially engaged with friends, neighbors, and family members. Encourage them to participate in community activities, and maintain a strong support network. The worst ailment for an aging adult is the feeling of loneliness and depression..
If your relative has a Medicare Advantage plan you may want to look into changing to a Medicare Supplement plan shortly. There is less confusion and far less out-of-pocket costs with Medicare Supplement/Medigap plans. Call us if you need help understanding your options and we can happily work with you so you can choose the best plan for your family member.
Medicare Advantage health plans can change or they can be eliminated from year to year. Try to find an Independent Medicare Broker close to you and set up a consultation once you know which plan your relative/parents are enrolled in. Medicare Advantage Plans and Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Plans should be reviewed every year and this should happen during the Medicare Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) from October 15h - December 7th every year.
Make a list of all of your parents' or relatives' Prescription Medications. Review them including the frequency and strength of their medicines. Also, be sure to ask what each medicine is for so that you can learn more about their healthcare.
Make a list of all of their Doctors, Dentists, and Health Care professionals. Email or leave your name, address, and contact information with each Doctor's office. Then, when you get a chance call the Doctor's office and introduce yourself and they can call your family members to verify you acting on their behalf whenever needed.
Consider whether you’ll need to or be able to help your parents financially, how much, and for how long. Normally, adult children are not financially obligated to pay for their parents’ care.
SPECIFIC THINGS TO FOCUS ON WHEN YOU ARE LEARNING ABOUT MEDICARE?
Help your parents or any other family member assess their current and potential future medical needs. Consider their ongoing health conditions, if they are currently taking prescribed medications, and any if they have been urged to take any tests or screenings soon as well as if any surgical procedures have been advised by any of their doctors.
EVERYONE HAS 3 CHOICES TO CHOOSE FROM WHEN IT COMES TO HOW THEY WANT TO RECEIVE THEIR MEDICARE BENEFITS. ORIGINAL MEDICARE, MEDICARE ADVANTAGE OR ORIGINAL MEDICARE WITH A MEDIGAP PLAN.
DID YOU KNOW THAT MANY MEDICARE BENEFICIARIES HAVE LESSER COVERAGE THAN THERE CHILDREN WOULD WANT THEM TO HAVE.
Medicare Advantage plans are famous for adding on benefits that are not covered by Original Medicare. If they currently have a Medicare Advantage plan, get a copy of the Summary of Benefits for that plan so you can easily understand the benefits and how they work. This is super important because the majority of Medicare Advantage Plans divide the benefits up by Quarters so a $2,000 Dental benefit most likely is $500 per quarter without the benefits rolling over to the next quarter.
WHEN YOU IN CHARGE OF CARE FOR AGING PARENTS FOCUS YOUR EFFORTS ON UNDERSTANDING THESE ITEMS:
What are the health benefits offered/included with their current plan?
What can they afford? Are they struggling financially?
What health concerns do they have? What health issues are anticipated?
As your parents or loved one age age, will they likely require caregivers? Do they have any Life Insurance or Long Term Care Insurance that can assist them later if necessary?
Will they have solid insurance if they have cancer or diabetes or are hospitalized? Not all Medicare Plans are created equal, so this is another good reason to schedule a call with a local, independent Medicare Broker.
Do they have proper drug coverage? The right drug plan is very important. Prescription drugs can be very expensive. Remember, they can change plans every year if necessary at no cost, but; you can only do this at certain times of the year.
Can they see any doctor that accepts Medicare (with Original Medicare Parts A & B and/or Medigap) or are they limited to in-network health providers? If they have a Medicare Advantage Plan (Medicare Part C) they will have to see only physicians and go to hospitals and clinics that are in their particular plan network.
Do they already have a long-term relationship with a physician and does the physician participate in their plan? If so, this is costing them money because they are going out of Network for care.
UNDERSTANDING WHY IT IS SO IMPORTANT NOT TO MISS ANY OF THE MEDICARE DEADLINES!
Medicare has specific enrollment periods that must be adhered to, and if any Medicare beneficiary misses these deadlines without qualifying for a special enrollment period and without creditable coverage, they may face permanent late enrollment penalties.
Enrolling on time also allows your elderly parents access to preventive services, screenings, and vaccinations at no cost. Delaying enrollment could leave your aging parent without health insurance, exposing you to potentially high medical costs and creating further health issues.
During your initial enrollment period (IEP) for Medicare, everyone has a one-time guaranteed acceptance into Medicare Supplement (Medigap) policies, regardless of pre-existing conditions. If you miss this period, you might face more stringent medical underwriting requirements and could be denied coverage or charged higher premiums.
Some Medicare plans, like Medicare Advantage and Medicare Part D Prescription Drug plans, have specific annual enrollment periods. If your aging parents miss these periods, they might have to wait until the next enrollment period to make changes or enroll in a different plan.
CAN PEOPLE DELAY THEIR MEDICARE ENROLLMENT OR DO THEY HAVE TO ENROLL AT AGE 65?
Aging parents can often delay enrolling in Medicare without penalties in certain situations, such as having employer-sponsored health coverage while actively working. Such insurance is considered a “creditable” alternative to Medicare.
WHAT DO I DO IF MY AGING PARENTS CAN NOT AFFORD MEDICARE?
LOOK INTO LOW-INCOME PROGRAMS
Depending on their financial situation, their parents may qualify for Medicaid, a government program that provides healthcare coverage to low-income individuals and families. Medicaid coverage and rules vary from state to state.
MAYBE CONSIDER MEDICARE SAVINGS PROGRAMS
Some states offer Medicare Savings Programs that help cover Medicare premiums, deductibles, and coinsurance for individuals with limited income.
LOOK INTO COVERAGE AND PROGRAMS PROVIDED BY SOCIAL SECURITY
If your parents have limited income and resources, they might qualify for SSI, a federal program that provides financial assistance to elderly and disabled individuals. You will likely need to call your local Social Security Office and schedule an appointment to meet with them in person at their offices.
ASSISTANCE TO HELP LOWER PRESCRIPTION DRUG COSTS
Some programs offer assistance with the cost of prescription medications. Medicare’s Extra Help program is one such program that helps with Part D prescription drug costs.
OTHER CHARITABLE/NOT FOR PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS
Many nonprofit organizations provide financial assistance, other resources, and support to seniors for healthcare expenses.
WHERE IS THE BEST, SAFEST, AND MOST RELIABLE PLACE TO FIND INDEPENDENT INFORMATION ABOUT MEDICARE?
1-800-MEDICARE
This toll-free number provides assistance and information about Medicare.
STATE HEALTH INSURANCE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (SHIP)
Each state has a SHIP that offers free assistance to Medicare Beneficiaries.
MEDICARE & YOU HANDBOOK
This publication is provided by Medicare and is available in print and online.You can download the Medicare And You Handbook or call 1-800-Medicare and request a copy be sent to you.
NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS
Organizations like AARP (American Association of Retired Persons) provide information and additional resources for seniors, including guidance on Medicare and healthcare coverage.
OTHER GOVERNMENTAL AGENCIES
Agencies like the Social Security Administration can provide information about Medicare enrollment and eligibility.
IF YOU ARE STILL UNSURE OF HOW TO PROCEED WE ARE HERE TO HELP
Here at Braden Medicare, we are always willing to speak with anyone who has questions or is looking for advice concerning Medicare and any other Insurance issues. We are dedicated to being your friend and neighbor, We are happy to provide anyone who contacts us with free advice. Our goal is to keep as much money as possible in the pockets of our clients and their families.
Medicare Supplement and Medicare Advantage carrier in the state. Our goal is to treat everyone we meet with kindness and respect. We have the hearts of teachers and the tenacity of prosecutors, and we treat everyone as we would any member of our own family.
We appreciate you reading our Blog and we look forward to assisting you with any questions you may have, now or at any time in the future. You can reach us at mike@bradenmed-icare.com, by visiting our website at www.bradenmedicare.com by calling us at (480) 225-1393 and you can fax Braden Medicare INsurance at (480) 422-9062.