skip to main content
skip to newscasts

Thursday, March 28, 2024

Public News Service Logo
facebook instagram linkedin reddit youtube twitter
view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Pulling back the curtains on wage-theft enforcement in MN; Trump's latest attack is on RFK, Jr; NM LGBTQ+ equality group endorses 2024 'Rock Star' candidates; Michigan's youth justice reforms: Expanded diversion, no fees.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg says rebuilding Baltimore's Key Bridge will be challenging and expensive. An Alabama Democrat flips a state legislature seat and former Connecticut senator Joe Lieberman dies at 82.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Historic wildfires could create housing and health issues for rural Texans, a Kentucky program helps prison parolees start a new life, and descendants of Nicodemus, Kansas celebrate the Black settlers who journeyed across the 1870s plains seeking self-governance.

Senior Alert: Medicare Open Enrollment Starts Today

play audio
Play

Monday, October 15, 2012   

PHOENIX - Medicare open enrollment starts today, and AARP is urging seniors and their families to carefully review their current plans to make sure they're getting the most out of their coverage.

AARP Arizona's communications director, Cynthia Fagyas, says the window of opportunity to make changes comes earlier this year.

"October 15th is early for open enrollment, and it runs 'til just December 7th. There are nearly 792,000 Arizona seniors in Medicare, so it's an opportunity for them to review and make changes to their current coverage."

During open enrollment, Fagyas says, Medicare enrollees can switch plans, add a prescription drug plan or drop Medicare Advantage for a plan under original Medicare. But if you're happy with your current plan, she says you don't have to do a thing.

Fagyas says AARP has a website with information on Medicare open enrollment, here.

"They can also contact the State Health Insurance Program, which is the SHIP Medicare Hotline here in Arizona, and they'll be able to compare plans for them. And that toll-free number is 800-432-4040."

Fagyas says there are four factors to consider when reviewing and comparing Medicare coverage. She calls them the four Cs.

"And those four Cs are coverage, cost, convenience and customer satisfaction, when they're thinking about making any changes to their Medicare coverage."

Fagyas cautions that there are some open enrollment options that are not reversible.

"If you do make changes to your coverage, and you drop coverage, you want to do it carefully, because you may not be able to get that coverage back once you make the change."

AARP is also offering free webinars on Medicare open enrollment.

Any changes made during open enrollment take effect January 1.




get more stories like this via email

more stories
A report from the Tennessee HealthCare Campaign recommended the federal government needs to strengthen 340B drug pricing and other federal negotiation mechanisms to make needed medicines more readily available and less expensive for hospitals to purchase and administer. (Spotmatikphoto/AdobeStock)

Health and Wellness

play sound

A recent report examined how some rural Tennessee hospitals have managed to stay afloat despite financial challenges. The report includes interviews …


Social Issues

play sound

Earlier this month, a new Arizona Public Service rate hike went into effect and one senior advocacy group said those on a fixed income may struggle …

Social Issues

play sound

Michigan recently implemented a significant juvenile justice reform package following recommendations from a task force made up of prosecutors…


Nearly 13 million Americans receive health coverage through unique plans under both Medicare and Medicaid. They are known as Dual-Eligible Special Needs Plans. (Adobe Stock)

Health and Wellness

play sound

Medicare and Medicaid are key sources of health coverage for many Americans and some people qualify for assistance under both programs. With lagging …

Social Issues

play sound

A mix of policy updates and staffing boosts has helped to put wage theft enforcement on the radar in Minnesota, and officials leading the efforts are …

More than six in 10 Americans favor keeping the abortion pill mifepristone available in the U.S. as a prescription drug, while over a third are opposed, according to a Gallup poll. (Adobe Stock)

Social Issues

play sound

New research shows more than six in 10 abortions in the U.S. last year were medically induced, and U.S. Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto - D-NV - is …

Social Issues

play sound

Colorado is working to boost the state's agricultural communities by getting more fresh, nutritious foods into school cafeterias - and a new online …

Social Issues

play sound

Missouri lawmakers are concerned with protecting people from the potential risks of the increasing accessibility of AI-generated images and videos…

 

Phone: 303.448.9105 Toll Free: 888.891.9416 Fax: 208.247.1830 Your trusted member- and audience-supported news source since 1996 Copyright © 2021