Each November we begin seeing on TV a character called Martha having a bit of a tizzy about Medicare benefits available in her area during open enrollment.

Open enrollment for Medicare runs from November 1 to December 15. During that time, Medicare participants are eligible to make changes to their coverage. You probably have been inundated with calls, mailings, e-mails, and advertisements urging you to, “ACT NOW BEFORE IT’S TOO LATE!”

I receive calls at the office asking, “Is there anything I need to do?”

The definitive and clear answer is, it depends!

1. If you are over 65 and an Active Missionary (not retired), Medicare is your Primary Insurance and IMG is your supplemental insurance. There is nothing you need to do or add to your coverage.
2. If you are a Retired Missionary and still on the IMG plan, there is nothing you need to do or add to your coverage.
3. If you are a Retired Missionary and have Opted Out of the IMG plan, there may be changes you want to add during this period.

There are multitudes of Managed Medicare plans and supplemental plans available at this time and they can be very confusing.

If you are on a Managed Medicare Plan or supplemental plan, and you are considering making a change to your current benefits, I would strongly encourage you not enrolling or signing up for a plan over the phone or online.

You should be able to find an agent in your area who specializes in Medicare and supplemental coverage. As with anything these days, fraud is always a concern. An in-person meeting to talk about current benefits and changes is always the best plan.

If you cannot find someone in your area, please contact Mike Duff at the Mission Office. We have a couple of agents who may be able to give you some direction.