4 steps to help your family with Medicare

Do you remember sitting at the kitchen table and mom helping with math homework? Or the last-minute help from dad on your science projects? The “good ole days” of having your parents take care of you are long gone, and now it’s your turn to help take care of them! 

We know they are being bombarded with Medicare information, and learning about Medicare can be hard for your loved ones. We can make it easier. Follow these steps to help your loved ones choose the Medicare plan that works for them.  

1. Evaluate changes.
   Premiums, benefits, and medications on a plan's drug list can change from year to year, so it’s important to evaluate their coverage on an annual basis. If your loved ones have had any changes to their health or lifestyle, it is also a good idea to check other available plan options and make any necessary adjustments. 
2. Learn about the options.
   The easiest place to start is learning about what plans your family physician accepts! You can find a comprehensive list of Medicare plans that our primary care physicians accept here. It’s important to make sure your loved ones can still see the primary care physician they’ve established a long-standing relationship with. 
3. Talk about your options with a licensed specialist.
   After you find which Medicare plans are accepted, it’s helpful to talk to a licensed insurance agent to understand which plan has the benefits your family members need. Village Health Partners works with licensed insurance agents who know the ins and outs of each plan and know what plans your doctor accepts. Click here to learn more or call 1(888)270-7200 or one of the numbers below to speak with a licensed insurance specialist. We offer this partnership as a complimentary service to patients!

• West Plano Medical Village - Stacy Calloway - 469-715-2652
• Independence Medical Village - Butch Headding - 972-854-1388
• Frisco Medical Village - Camrin May - 214-663-9554
• McKinney Medical Village - Camrin May - 214-663-9554

4. Make your decision.
There are a few different times when you can make decisions on your Medicare plan. The first is when you turn 65. This is called your initial enrollment period. After that, you have your Annual Enrollment Period which runs from October 15 to December 7 to make decisions for the next year. If you're on Medicare Advantage plans, you also have an additional enrollment period from January 1 through March 31. During the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment, you can only change between Medicare Advantage plans. 

Are you ready to learn the specifics of Medicare plan options? Click here or call 1(888)270-7200! We work with Medicare insurance specialists who can answer any questions you have and can even help you sign up for a plan. This is a complimentary service that is completely free to our patients.