Boomers, Welcome To Medicare

Making Medicare Work For You: Boomers, Welcome to Medicare

A Special Presentation as Part of RLTV’s Groundbreaking Initiative
That Puts Boomers In Control of Their Medicare

Are you ready to sign up for Medicare?  Wondering if there is a penalty for not signing up? Want to know which Medicare health plan is right for you? The 10,000 boomers who will turn 65 and become eligible for Medicare every day for the next decade shouldn’t feel bad if they’re a bit confused, signing up for a Medicare plan is complicated. But don’t worry, free help is available to make it easier to understand the ins and outs of Medicare and find a plan that’s right for you, manageable and effective.

As part of RLTV’s comprehensive series dedicated to taking the guesswork and anxiety out of Medicare, Making Medicare Work For You: Boomers, Welcome to Medicare guides viewers through the rules, deadlines and choices available to them as they prepare to enter the world of Medicare. Sponsored by UnitedHealthcare and hosted by Deborah Norville, a veteran journalist and anchor of Inside Edition, the program features a team of industry experts from all areas of the Medicare community. Our experts use their knowledge and experience to help explain Medicare, how it works and the plan choices available to you.

In emotionally compelling field segments, Dr. Kevin Soden works with real people making real decisions, whether they’re struggling with the complexities or just need a little assurance.  Back in the studio, our experts provide invaluable insight and deft strategies that are as helpful for boomers aging in to Medicare as they are for other adults who may be enrolling for the first time, such as those with disabilities or individuals who have delayed retiring past the age of 65.

The program features a cross-section of Americans, each with different challenges and needs, including:

Bonnie—A successful realtor in Washington, DC. Bonnie is 65 years old and recently eligible for Medicare. She’s healthy, works out at a health club regularly, and doesn’t take regular medications.  Lately, she’s been overwhelmed by the Medicare materials she’s received from various sources, and she’s unsure if she should sign up for a Medigap plan or a Medicare Advantage plan. Her biggest worry is finding a primary care physician who will accept her Medicare plan.

Our in-studio team addresses her concerns:

• What do you need to consider when comparing plans?
• Do you need more coverage than what Original Medicare can provide?
• If you don’t take prescription drugs, should you enroll in a Part D plan?
• What type of Medicare plan meets your health and financial needs?

Kathleen—A 65 year old nun living in the community, Kathleen is well educated, well travelled, and wants to continue to make a difference in other people’s lives, as long as her health allows. She has cancer, takes a lot of expensive medications and, with limited financial resources, she’s concerned that she wouldn’t save money on her medications with a Medicare plan because they would be considered higher cost “Tier 4” Drugs.  Kathleen meets with a SHIP staffer for a one-on-one discussion of her options and learns there are a number of resources available to help.

Our team looks at the questions:

• Why is your local SHIP office or other free resource a good way to get the help you need for peace of mind?
• What’s the best way to compare prescription drug plans?
• What is the Tier system and how does it work?
• Who is eligible for financial assistance, and how can you find out if you are?

Denis—A 65 year old sitting district court judge, Denis understands all about the letter of the law and wants to make sure he’s following the proper procedure to sign up for Medicare. He doesn’t know if he needs to sign up for Original Medicare (Parts A and B) or if he should consider enrolling in a Medicare plan?  He is still working and receives health benefits through his job.  A VICAP representative is there to help, discussing his options before he renders his verdict.

Our team supplies answers:

• How similar is Denis’s situation, working with employer sponsored health care benefits, to other 65-year-olds?
• What does creditable coverage mean?
• Are there penalties for not signing up for Parts A & B when you turn 65?
• What are the key points to know before choosing a health plan?

There is no one-size-fits-all solution. Making Medicare Work For You: Boomers, Welcome to Medicare walks the viewer through the choices, makes it easy to understand, and helps you decide what type of a Medicare plan could work for you. Plus, our experts give you the knowledge to help you take control of your health plan decisions.