DETROIT – In the upcoming months 1.7 million Michiganders will have the option to select, update or renew their Medicare plan. With Medicare open enrollment running from Oct. 15 through Dec. 7, now is the time for those age 65+ to start looking for health plans to fit their personal needs and ensure they are not over- or under-insured.
As a result of the merger between HAP and HealthPlus earlier this year, HealthPlus Medicare customers will be automatically enrolled into a comparable HAP plan. Former HealthPlus members do not need to do anything to confirm enrollment. As a HAP member, they will have access to the same doctors and to an expanded network of providers that includes some of the finest facilities in southeast Michigan.
"Medicare Open Enrollment is the perfect time for consumers to perform their own Medicare checkup," said Mike Jakubic, director of Medicare sales and operations, Health Alliance Plan. "Many people are either over-insured or under-insured, so taking a good look at what your needs are versus what you are paying out of pocket makes sense. The true cost of health care is more than just the premium you pay each month. It's the premium plus any copays, deductibles or coinsurance."
Individuals should consider the following to help select the right Medicare plan:
- Has your current Medicare plan provided the value, care and customer service you expected?
- If you already have coverage, how do the benefits and monthly premiums of the 2017 plans compare to your current plan?
- Have your medical needs changed?
- Are you expecting to need different care or services next year?
- Do you need a dental plan?
- Are you planning to travel more next year?
- How much can you afford to pay out of pocket, including copays and costs for prescription medicine?
If individuals are happy with their 2017 Medicare plan updates, then the plan will automatically renew. However, for individuals who are enrolling for the first time or switching Medicare plans, they must enroll by Dec. 7. For individuals who have received notice that their current Medicare plans will terminate on Dec. 31, they will have until Dec. 31 to select a new plan. HAP Medicare representatives are available by phone at (800) 868-3153 (TTY: 711) Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. to help consumers find the best plan for their unique needs.
About Health Alliance Plan
Health Alliance Plan (HAP) is a Michigan-based, nonprofit health plan that provides health coverage to more than 675,000 members and companies of all sizes. For more than 50 years, HAP has partnered with leading doctors and hospitals, employers and community organizations to enhance the health and well-being of the lives we touch. HAP offers a product portfolio with six distinct product lines: Group Insured Commercial, Individual, Medicare, Medicaid, Self-Funded and Network Leasing. HAP excels in delivering award-winning preventive services, disease management and wellness programs, and personalized customer service. For more information, visit hap.org.
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Contacts:
Ebony Dooley
Health Alliance Plan
(248) 443-7847 office
edooley@hap.org
Katie Rebella
MCCI on behalf of HAP
(248) 318-4303 mobile
krebella@mccicorp.com
Categories: HAP plans, Open enrollment