MEDICARE SECTION

       ANNUAL ENROLLMENT PERIOD IS: October 15th to December 7th

                    ANCILLARY BENEFITS, FOR 2023?

There are some new benefits and offerings for Medicare Advantage plans in 2023. These benefits may NOT be included in all plans. This is a sample of ancillary benefits with the different Medicare Advantage plans. Some benefits might be more meaningful to you than others, if you are thinking of changing plans.  

Give Back Plans (Part B Reduction): reduction of monthly Part B premium you pay to the Social Security Administration (usually out of the Social Security check).

Flex Card Benefit: (Excellus BCBS) prepaid card used to enhance or extend Routine Dental, Hearing, and Vision benefits that are already included in their plan.

UCard: (United Healthcare) - serves as the member ID card for medical, pharmacy, dental, and vision care, fitness/gym, utilities, OTC, rewards.

OTC (Over The Counter): quarterly credits can be used toward thousands of CMS-approved over-the-counter items like vitamins, pain relievers, first aid supplies, etc.

Insulin Saver Programs:  won’t pay more than $35 for a one month supply of each insulin product covered by our plan, no matter what cost-sharing tier it’s on, even if you haven’t paid your Part D deductible.

Fitness Programs: stay active with a gym membership to maintain functional mobility and cognitive health. May have access to Fitbit community.

Reward Programs: earn rewards by completing certain eligible activities.

Personal Emergency Response System (PERS): monitoring device (like a button) that helps provide member(s) with quick access to the (emergency) help needed.

Post-Discharge Meal Delivery: home delivered meals after an inpatient hospital discharge.

Personal Support Services: offers a quarterly credit that can be applied toward a diverse range of in-home support services

Transportation Services: benefit provides non-emergency medical rides to a doctor’s office, pharmacies or hearing and vision appointments; can be offered at no cost.

Dental: preventive dental services commonly include exams, x-rays and cleanings.

Routine Vision: annual routine eye exam and eye glasses/contacts offered on some plans.

Routine Hearing: annual routine hearing exams and hearing aids offered on some plans.

Dual Plans (DSNPs): available for those eligible for Medicare and Medicaid.

DONUT HOLE (for 2023):  $4660 to $7400

PART B premium (for 2023): $164.90

PART D (Rx) DEDUCTIBLE: can reach as high as $505 (varies by plan)

EXTRA HELP / LOW INCOME SUBSIDY:

Medicare beneficiaries can qualify for Extra Help paying for their monthly premiums, annual deductibles, and co-payments related to Medicare prescription drug coverage.

summary table (waiting 2023 figures) – See Below

HEALTH SECTION

New Inflation Reduction Legislation will Affect Medicare

The recently enacted Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 includes provisions that will directly affect the Medicare program and plans across all carriers. These changes will have a direct impact on lowering beneficiary costs and begin in 2023: 

Removal of Cost Sharing on Adult Vaccines 

Medicare beneficiaries will have a $0 cost-share for adult vaccines recommended by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices and covered under Medicare Part D, including vaccines such as the Shingrix vaccine for Shingles. Tiering of vaccines won’t change, but beneficiary cost sharing will be eliminated regardless of any published tier copay. A full list of covered vaccines can be found here.