By Marcelo Espiritu
October 2019 | 2019 Fall Newsletter
Understanding how to get your health insurance to work for you can make a difference to how you feel each day. When you have both Medicare and Medi-Cal, understanding your options may be confusing.
Sourcewise Health Insurance Counseling & Advocacy Program (HICAP) counselors are trained to help Medicare beneficiaries by providing information to help them make the best decision for themselves or their loved ones. HICAP counselors have completed demanding, ongoing training and are registered with the California Department of Aging.
For all Medicare beneficiaries, the Medicare Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) occurs from October 15–December 7, 2019. Use this time to check if your 2019 Medicare drug plan or Medicare Advantage HMO will meet your needs in 2020.
In 2018, In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) recipients with both Medicare and Medi-Cal had the option to change drug or HMO plans any month of the year. This option is no longer available.
You are now able to change your plan once per quarter between January and September and also during the AEP. Changes take effect the first day of the next month and changes made during the AEP take effect beginning in January.
You can still change your Medi-Cal plan by adding, switching, or dropping a Cal MediConnect plan anytime of the year.
The ability to change plans more frequently than usual may make you more attractive to health companies and insurance agents who want your business.
Protect yourself from unwanted healthcare changes by always asking, “If I sign this health plan application, will I be able to see my current doctors, and will I be able to keep the current services I receive?” If the answer is no then find the reasoning behind why you cannot keep the same doctors and services. Sourcewise HICAP can assist you with questions on this topic.
Learn about Medicare and how Medicare and Medi-Cal work together by speaking with a Sourcewise HICAP counselor: (408) 350-3200, option 2.