Oklahoma seniors urged to review Medicare plans

On Medicare plans

For free health insurance counseling or assistance in enrolling in a Medicare plan:

Visit the Oklahoma Insurance Department in Shepherd Mall, 2401 NW 23, Suite 28, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays. Call (800) 763-2828 to make an appointment or ask questions by phone.

• Medicare Part A: Covers care at hospitals that accept Medicare and is available to beneficiaries for no monthly premium. The Part A deductible next year is $1,100, more for multiple hospitalizations.

• Medicare Part B: Covers medical care with doctors and other health care professionals who accept

Medicare. Most beneficiaries pay $96.40 a month, which is deducted from their Social Security checks. The Part B annual deductible next year is $155.

• Supplemental: To cover Medicare deductibles, co-pays and co-insurance, beneficiaries may choose to buy supplemental insurance policies, with additional monthly premiums. Without this gap coverage, beneficiaries generally are responsible for 20 percent of their medical costs. There are a dozen standardized supplemental plans offered by numerous insurers. Each plan offers the same coverage from company to company, though costs may vary. The most popular is Plan F that, depending on beneficiaries’ ages, gender and ZIP code, carries a $80 to $200 monthly premium with no deductibles.

• Medicare Advantage and Medicare Part C: Or, beneficiaries often can lower their out-of-pocket costs by instead choosing among Medicare Advantage network or fee-for-service plans (Medicare Part C), which are facilitated by private health insurance companies and may include preventive health services, as well as prescription drug coverage. Beneficiaries enrolled in Medicare Advantage plans have through March 31 to change to a plan with like coverage.

• Medicare Part D: Includes stand-alone prescription drug plans, which cost $31.94 a month and upwards. Beneficiaries are responsible for up to a $310 annual deductible for 2010; 25 percent of their drug costs up to $2,830 and 100 percent of their costs between $2,830 and $4,550. Without a drug plan, seniors are responsible for 100 percent of their prescription costs.

SOURCE: Oklahoma Insurance Department