50+ Lifestyles

October 2022 – Another Enrollment Period

By Richard J. Schillig, CLU, ChFC, LUTCF
Independent Insurance and Financial Advisor

The month of October brings about a new Medicare Enrollment Period. We will continue our monthly virtual Community Meetings on Medicare. We are having nice participation in these meetings virtually. So, they are held online in the privacy of your own home using your laptop or desktop computer. Our next meetings are coming up here on Tuesday October 18 & Oct 20 (Craig hosts these meetings and does a very good job of presenting these meetings). Earlier we hosted these monthly meetings in person at local meeting room but now with corona virus, we are presenting these meetings virtually. Participants in these meetings always say at the conclusion of the meeting “Now I understand the choices I have for Medicare. I understand the confusion…. with 10 Medicare Supplements available – we choose 1 of the 10 AND with 18 prescription drug plans available – we choose 1 of the 18 AND the alternative to Original Medicare is the Medicare Part C – that’s the Medicare Advantage Plan – 8 plans available in these Medicare regions and we choose 1.”

Seems like September meetings are a ways off yet but will be here before we know it. Again, these meetings are for persons initially eligible for Medicare. These meetings are Tuesday, October 18 and Thursday, October 20. On Tuesday, October 18 Craig talks about the basics of Medicare and then focuses on the Medicare Supplement Plans available. On Thursday, October 20 Craig again talks about the basics of Medicare and then focuses on the alternative to Medicare with the Advantage plans. Call us prior to these meetings so we can give you directions on how to participate in these meetings virtually – from you own home using personal computer or iPad.

As a reminder if you are aging into Medicare – turning age 65 – this is your initial enrollment period. Not to be confused with the annual enrollment period that occurs every year – from October 15 to December 7. When you first become eligible for Medicare at age 65 – this is your initial enrollment period. This 7-month window for initial enrollment period begins 3 months prior to the month you turn age 65, the month you turn age 65, and the 3 months after the month you turn age 65 – again this is your initial enrollment period. The annual enrollment period occurs every year beginning Oct 15 and ending Dec 7. Annual enrollment period gives you the opportunity of changing your choice of Medicare options. Annual enrollment is not to be confused with the initial enrollment period.

Attendees at our virtual meetings all tell us the same thing….” Now I understand the choices I have with Medicare. So readers if you are of the same mind-set – confused over the tons of solicitations you are receiving let me assure you that you are not alone. Gosh, with 10 Medicare supplements plans to choose from, 18 prescription drug plans to choose from and with 8 Medicare advantage plans…..we get to choose one. It’s no wonder you are confused. Virtual meeting participants all tell us “Now I understand.” There lots to choose from. Participate in our virtual meeting and join the crowd of understanders. Call us in advance of Oct 18 and Oct 20 to receive instructions on how to participate in these meetings. Remember you remain in the privacy of your own home using you home computer equipment to participate. Craig will give you instructions on how you can join us.

There’s lots going on in our world today. Medicare is one of those items coming available to persons aging-in to Medicare. There are lots of choices for Medicare and with the number of choices we understand it gets very confusing. As previously mentioned participants in our virtual meetings all say a the conclusion of the meeting….” now I understand the choices I have with Medicare. And remember readers these monthly meetings are for persons initially eligible for Medicare. This enrollment period is for persons NEW to Medicare. The Annual Enrollment period from Oct 15 to Dec 7 is for persons already on Medicare and want to change their choice for plans for the new year.

Questions call us or email us……go to our website www.dickschillig.com and scroll over to the contact icon.

Richard J. Schillig, CLU, ChFC, LUTCF is an Independent Insurance and Financial Advisor with RJS and Associates, Inc. He can be reached at (563) 332-2200.