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Arch Health Partners Provides Medicare Workshops for Seniors

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At Arch Health Partners, we understand the difficulties seniors and their families face in navigating the challenges of the Medicare enrollment process, whether selecting an initial plan or determining whether their current plan fits their needs. To help beneficiaries select or change their Medicare plans, Arch Health Partners has been offering a series of free workshops throughout the open enrollment period, which runs through December 7.

Medicare Information Workshops are being offered November 21 and December 5 in Escondido and Poway. Arch Health Partners’ website (archhealth.org/seniors) lists the dates, times and locations for the remaining workshops.

What makes the process of Medicare enrollment overwhelming is the list of options seniors must choose from. They may enroll in Original Medicare, with or without a Part D plan or other Medicare Supplement policy, or they may also choose a Medicare Advantage plan. These plans are offered by private insurance companies and may offer additional coverage (beyond the hospital stays, doctor visits and outpatient visits covered by Original Medicare).

When selecting a Medicare Advantage plan, special attention should be paid to the plan’s drug formulary, which lists what prescription drugs are covered and under what conditions. Beneficiaries should review these lists to make sure their prescriptions will be covered under their chosen plan. Many plans use tiered formularies and may require the beneficiary to first use a generic drug before covering brand name or specialty drugs. Additionally, plans may require beneficiaries or physicians to submit formulary exceptions or utilization exceptions for certain drugs to be covered.

Arch Health Partners has partnered with Medicare Insurance Specialists to walk seniors through these lists and other complicated aspects of selecting Medicare plans. Seniors and family members attending Arch Health Partners’ workshops will learn about Medicare’s enrollment process and the various plan options, the differences between Advantage plans and Supplement plans, and how to save on Prescription plans. Medicare Insurance Specialists will be available to answer questions and provide recommendations based on attendees’ individual circumstances.

For those who have just turned 65 or are about to turn 65, Arch Health Partners’ workshops offer guidance through the Medicare system. Seniors who already have Original Medicare or a Medicare Advantage plan from a private insurance company will also learn about how their plans may change in 2016 and how to ensure they have the most cost-effective plan that also suits their specific needs. Arch Health Partners recommends that even seniors who are happy with their current Medicare coverage review their coverage, any upcoming changes in 2016, and new options that may be available.

Arch Health Partners offers comprehensive health services, including urgent care centers, from a network of more than 100 primary and specialty health care providers. We accept most insurance plans and are affiliated with Palomar Health, giving patients access to all Palomar Health facilities. We have locations in Poway, Ramona, and Escondido, as well as 4S Ranch and Rancho Penasquitos in San Diego. More information about Arch Health Partners’ services can be found on our website, www.archhealth.org.

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