Free one-on-one counseling and information available to residents; Bureau earns federal grant

The Delaware Medicare Assistance Bureau (DMAB), a division of the Delaware Department of Insurance, is encouraging residents to get ready for Medicare Open Enrollment. DMAB, which provides free, one-on-one Medicare counseling, offers a myriad of virtual appointment options for residents, as well as video tutorials and other guides that can assist in beneficiaries’ preparation. DMAB has provided more than 3,000 counseling sessions so far this year, saving beneficiaries more than $372,438 in premiums through application help.

DMAB will engage in thousands of counseling sessions during Medicare Open Enrollment, which takes place October 15 through December 7. During this time, beneficiaries can make changes to their health and drug coverage and review existing coverage against other options. DMAB will offer virtual appointments throughout this period, available via Webex, Duo, and Microsoft Teams, as well as by phone. Residents are encouraged to register for a MyMedicare.gov account prior to their counseling session so that DMAB can generate personalized plan comparisons.

“Our DMAB team works to increase residents’ understanding of the complex Medicare system and can even help save you money. I encourage the community to reach out to our team for Medicare assistance and information,” said Insurance Commissioner Trinidad Navarro.

A Virtual Medicare Seminar, which DMAB began to offer in 2020, is available on-demand online, and educates participants on topics including Medicare benefits, supplemental insurance policies, Medicare Advantage plans, prescription drug coverage and details on signing up. While specifically created for new or soon-to-be eligible beneficiaries, the informative series can be helpful for all Medicare participants.

“Many people have questions about Medicare and don’t know where to start, and COVID-19 has only increased the stress of choosing the right healthcare plans. We are here to help people in Delaware deal with the complex and often confusing health insurance system,” said DMAB Director Lakia Turner, “and, we’re more accessible than ever through our new virtual programs.”

As Medicare Open Enrollment approaches, the Department of Insurance reminds residents to scrutinize any contact during the open enrollment period to ensure it is from a known, credible source. The most frequent fraudulent contact occurs by phone, but residents should review all communications carefully.

“If you are receiving contact regarding Medicare that you did not initiate, or contact not from one of your healthcare providers, it could be fraudulent,” said Commissioner Navarro. “Protect your Medicare Number like you do your Social Security number or bank account information, and never give it out to unknown or unexpected callers.”

DMAB has been awarded a Medicare Improvement for Patients and Providers Act (MIPPA) 2021 Grant from the federal government, which will provide the bureau $71,943. The annual MIPPA grant has and will assist the bureau’s outreach, education, and one-on-one beneficiary assistance programs over the next year by assisting those beneficiaries who are likely to be eligible for the Low-Income Subsidy program (also called “Extra Help”) or Medicare Savings Programs.

The Delaware Medicare Assistance Bureau provides free one-on-one health insurance counseling for people eligible for Medicare. Residents can call DMAB at 1-(800) 336-9500 or (302) 674-7364 to set up a free, confidential session. Counselors can assist with Medicare, Medicaid, Medigap (Medicare supplement insurance), long term care insurance, billing issues, prescription savings, and much more.

 View DMAB’s 2021 Open Enrollment Flyer

More ways to receive Medicare counseling and information as Open Enrollment approaches, Bureau earns federal grants to support efforts

When COVID-19 required cancellation of the Department of Insurance Delaware Medicare Assistance Bureau series of statewide Welcome to Medicare in-person events, the team responded rapidly, engaging with residents in new ways and offering their free, one-on-one Medicare counseling remotely. The Delaware Medicare Assistance Bureau (DMAB) has provided more than 2,930 counseling sessions so far this year, saving beneficiaries more than $192,000 in premiums through application assistance.

“We are all facing new challenges due to COVID-19, and I’m proud that our DMAB team has found ways to communicate with Medicare beneficiaries and made Medicare education and empowerment more accessible despite the inability to offer in-person events,” said Insurance Commissioner Trinidad Navarro.

DMAB will engage in thousands of counseling sessions in the coming months, as Medicare Open Enrollment takes place October 15 through December 7. During this time, beneficiaries can make changes to their health insurance coverage and review existing coverage against other options. DMAB will offer virtual Open Enrollment appointments throughout this period, available via Webex, Duo, and Skype, as well as by phone. Residents are encouraged to register for a MyMedicare.gov account prior to their counseling session so that DMAB can generate personalized plan comparisons.

“Many people have questions about Medicare and don’t know where to start, and COVID-19 has only increased the stress of choosing the right healthcare plans. We are here to help people in Delaware deal with the complex and often confusing health insurance system,” said DMAB Director Lakia Turner, “and, we’re more accessible than ever through our new virtual programs.”

DMAB began to offer virtual Welcome to Medicare seminars in May, engaging 150 residents. The Virtual Medicare Seminar, which is now available on-demand online, educates participants on topics including Medicare benefits, supplemental insurance policies, Medicare Advantage plans, prescription drug coverage and details on signing up.

As Medicare Open Enrollment approaches, the department reminds residents to assess any contact during the open enrollment period to ensure it is from a known, credible source. The most frequent fraudulent contact occurs by phone, but residents should review communications carefully.

“If you are receiving contact regarding Medicare that you did not initiate, or contact not from one of your healthcare providers, it could be fraudulent,” said Commissioner Navarro. “Protect your Medicare Number like you do your Social Security number or bank account information, and never give it out to unknown or unexpected callers.”

DMAB has been awarded two significant grants during 2020. The 2020 State Health Insurance Assistance Program Base Grant provides $234,293 in federal funds to DMAB. This is a five-year grant, with annually awards in April. It is a primary source of funding for marketing and outreach, counseling, developing and training the volunteer network, and other strategic efforts. The MIPPA 2020 Grant awarded the bureau $43,270, which has and will assist the bureau’s outreach, education, and one-on-one beneficiary assistance programs over the next year for those beneficiaries who are likely to be eligible for the Low-Income Subsidy program (also called “Extra Help”) or Medicare Savings Programs.

The Delaware Medicare Assistance Bureau provides free one-on-one health insurance counseling for people eligible for Medicare. Residents can call DMAB at 1-(800) 336-9500 or (302) 674-7364 to set up a free confidential session. Counselors can assist with Medicare, Medicaid, Medigap (Medicare supplement insurance), long term care insurance, billing issues, prescription savings, and much more.

Medicare Part D Open Enrollment Ends December 7

Dover, DE – Insurance Commissioner Karen Weldin Stewart reminds Delawareans that Medicare’s annual open enrollment period continues until December 7. If you’re a Medicare recipient, now is the time to review the options for 2017 Part D prescription drug plans. Medicare recipients can also switch their Medicare Advantage plans during the open enrollment period, or they can return to Original Medicare if they are no longer satisfied with their Medicare Advantage plan. Plans change each year, so even if a plan worked well for an individual in 2016, it doesn’t mean that it will be the most cost-effective plan for 2017. Luckily, the Delaware Medicare Assistance Bureau (DMAB) exists to assist Delaware’s Medicare recipients with their questions related to Medicare, Medicare Advantage and prescription drug plans.

According to the Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF), only about 10 percent of Medicare recipients switch Medicare Advantage plans each year and approximately 13 percent change their Part D plans. The KFF found that the average Medicare Advantage enrollee saved $190 annually on their premiums and lowered their out-of-pocket expenses by about $400 when they switched plans during the 2014 open enrollment period, the most recent data available.

Just as with any insurance policy, consumers should consider more than premiums alone when making a decision about a drug plan or Medicare Advantage policy. It may be short sighted to select a plan based on the lowest premium alone; it’s especially important to consider the plan’s deductible, co-pays and co-insurance. By now, Medicare recipients with a Part D plan should have received an Annual Notice of Change from their insurer. This document will list upcoming changes to your existing coverage, such as the cost of premiums and co-pays, and show a comparison of the plan between this year and next.

It is common for Medicare Part D plans to change their formularies and the rules under which they are covered from year to year. A formulary is the list of medications that a plan covers. For example, a plan might decide to limit the quantity of a medication or require a prior authorization before they will cover the drug. That likely means additional steps and paperwork are required before you can get a medication that your physician ordered. Changes in plans may require you try a less expensive alternative to the drug prescribed by your doctor. The plan might also drop coverage of a medication altogether; that’s why reviewing your options each year is so important.

Most Medicare Advantage plans include prescription drug coverage, which should be checked in the same way that you would review a stand-alone drug plan. Medicare Advantage plans also can make changes to the list of healthcare providers considered in-network at any time of the year. The annual enrollment period provides the opportunity for enrollees to review the list of included providers, to make sure they will continue to meet your needs.

DMAB’s staff and trained volunteers are available to meet with Medicare recipients at various locations throughout each county to review residents’ current prescriptions and options in-person. Please call 1-800-336-9500 to make an appointment to review your drug plan options; don’t wait until the final week to call. If you have an appointment for a drug plan review be sure to bring a complete list of the medications (and all of the specific details about the drugs, such as dosage and how often you take them)

If you’re satisfied that your current coverage will continue to meet your needs for next year, you don’t need to do anything. For more information about the Delaware Medicare Assistance Bureau and the services it provides, visit www.delawareinsurance.gov/DMAB or call 1-800-336-9500. DMAB is a free public service of the Delaware Department of Insurance that provides unbiased Medicare counseling to Medicare recipients of all ages.

DMAB is Delaware’s State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) and is funded in part by a grant from the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services’ Administration for Community Living.

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Delaware Department of Insurance: “Protecting Delawareans through regulation and education while providing oversight of the insurance industry to best serve the public.”

DMAB Releases 2015 Medicare Supplement Insurance Guide for Delaware Medicare Recipients

​Dover, DE-The Delaware Medicare Assistance Bureau (DMAB) is pleased to announce that the 2015 Delaware Medicare Supplement Insurance Shopper’s Guide is now available in print. This popular guide is updated annually and includes price comparisons and toll-free telephone numbers for all Medigap policies sold in Delaware. Medicare supplement insurance, also called Medigap, is private insurance designed to supplement your Medicare coverage. The guide is also available at any time on the DMAB website, www.delawareinsurance.gov/DMAB.

While reviewing the rates on the Medigap plans in the 2015 guide, keep in mind that your gender and status as a smoker/non-smoker will directly affect your premiums. Please also be aware that listed rates may change during the year. It is recommended that you contact at least two or three companies directly and seek quotes to find the plan that provides you with the best value. It is important to note that the best time to purchase a Medigap policy is during your 6-month Medigap open enrollment.  This period automatically starts the month you’re 65 or older and enrolled in Medicare Part B, and once it’s over, you can’t get it again.  After six months have passed, companies selling these plans are not required to sell you a policy and may underwrite you.

DMAB was formerly known as ELDERinfo and still provides the same helpful services to Delaware’s Medicare recipients. While Medicare is a federal program, DMAB can help Delawareans with Medicare make sense of the complex health insurance system. All DMAB services are completely free. DMAB staff can assist with questions related to Medicare, Medigap, long-term care, and related financial assistance programs. Call DMAB at 1-800-336-9500 to receive a guide or to get help with your Medicare questions. Additional resources related to Medicare are available at  www.delawareinsurance.gov/dmab.

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Contact:  Jerry Grant

(302) 674-7303

It’s Time to Think about Your Health Coverage

Whether you’re covered under Medicare, or don’t have any health insurance at all,
the time to review your health coverage is fast approaching

DOVER, DE–If you are unhappy with your health insurance coverage, or don’t have any at all,Delaware Insurance Commissioner Karen Weldin Stewart wants to alert you to two important sets of dates coming up soon.

October 15 through December 7 is the time for Medicare Open Enrollment.  It’s the time when all people with Medicare are encouraged to review their current health and prescription drug coverage, including any changes in costs, coverage, and benefits that will take effect next year.

Call the Delaware Medicare Assistance Bureau, DMAB, at 1-800-336-9500 for help with all of your questions related to Medicare and Medicare prescription drug plans, such as Part D. You can also get information on DMAB’s website, www.delawareinsurance.gov/DMAB. Staff and trained volunteers are available to meet with Medicare recipients at various locations throughout each county to review your current prescriptions and options in-person.

If you want to change your Medicare coverage for next year, this is the time to do it. If you’re satisfied that your current coverage will continue to meet your needs for next year, you don’t need to do anything. Staff members are also able to help with questions about Medicare Advantage plans.

If you are not on Medicare and need health insurance, November 15 through February 15 is the open enrollment period for the Health Insurance Marketplace at www.HealthCare.gov.  If you need to enroll in a plan, or review your current plan and options, visit www.ChooseHealthDE.com to get connected to free, local help from a trained Marketplace Guide. Help is also available by phone at 1-800-318-2596 (this number connects to a national call center).

Many individuals and their families will qualify for federal subsidies to help lower health insurance premiums. Talk to a Marketplace Guide or set up an account on Healthcare.gov to get more information about plans and coverage available, as well as costs and subsidies.

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Delaware Department of Insurance: “Protecting Delawareans through regulation and
education while providing oversight of the insurance industry to best serve the public.”