2014 Medicare changes for beneficiaries are again faced with that time of the year, from Oct. 15 to Dec. 7, when they must review prescription drug coverage and decide whether to enroll in a Medicare Advantage Health Plan or stay with their current coverage. Premiums, deductibles and co-pays often change from year to year, causing more confusion for beneficiaries.
Many report being confused about the launch of the Affordable Care Act on Oct. 1, and Connect for Health begins to enroll Colorado
consumers in Obamacare. Medicare beneficiaries are not eligible for Obamacare and must stay with Medicare as primary health insurance. Obamacare does make some changes to Medicare, beneficiaries are not subject to the rules for individuals.
On Medicare Monday, Oct. 21, experts present the 2014 changes to help people understand Medicare Part A, B, C, and D. Medicare Monday is offered in 15 locations during Oct. and Nov.. Monthly premiums for Medicare Part B are expected to increase, but final numbers are not
available as of this writing. The deductible and co-insurance for Medicare Part A are also not available. Medicare Advantage or Part
C expect stable premiums, co-pays and other out of pocket expenses. Information is available at www. medicare.gov starting Oct. 1, enrollment starts Jan. 1, 2014. The deductible for Medicare Part D decreases from $325 to $310 in 2014, a benefit for those looking at
ways to save. Similarly, there will be less out of pocket costs in 2014 for prescriptions during the initial coverage period, and during the donut hole.
In addition to the Part D deductible, beneficiaries pay an additional $635 of their prescription drug costs in the initial coverage period also less than in 2013. When the total cost of the drugs exceeds $2850, the beneficiary is in the donut hole. Beneficiaries whose
drug costs are between $2850 and $6455 pay 47.5% of the costs for brand name drugs and 72% for generic drugs. When the total cost of
the drugs exceeds $6455, the beneficiary is responsible for 5% coinsurance or $2.55 for generics and $6.35 co-pay for brand or nonpreferred drugs.
No changes have been made by Congress to Medicare Supplements. Medicare recently reported that 90% of the Medicare physicians are accepting new patients. Individuals who are having difficulty paying for their Medicare Part B and Part D premiums and co-pays may be eligible for assistance and can call 1-855-293-6911 for assistance.
Medicare Monday is Oct. 21, from 9:30 to 11:30 am, at these locations: The Commons at Hilltop, Grand Junction; Inn at Garden Plaza, Colorado Springs; Holly Creek, Centennial; Northglenn Senior Center, Northglenn; RiverPointe of Littleton, Littleton; St Andrew’s Village, Aurora; and Heritage Club, Denver.
Follow-up sessions are on Oct. 28. Locations include Foothills Park and Rec. District, Littleton; Windsor Gardens, Denver; & Park
Regency, Thornton, 1 to 3 pm.
On Oct. 29 at Third Street Center, Carbondale. The last session is Nov. 4 at Allied Jewish Apartments, Denver; The Bridge, Alamosa;
and Greeley Senior Center, Greeley, 1 to 3 pm.
Medicare Advantage representatives are available so people can compare options. Register at 1-855-880-4777. For assistance with nrollment and counseling call for an individual appointment.
Eileen Doherty, MS is the Executive Director of the Colorado Gerontological Society since 1982. She can be reached at