You’ve seen the commercials and the ads about Annual Enrollment for Medicare and Open Enrollment for the Health Insurance Marketplace. Are any of what they say actually true? The short answer is “maybe.” Let’s look at truths and myths of Medicare and Marketplace plans

Are these plans talked about in these commercials really good for me?
FALSE. These companies are there to get your information and get your business. They are often less concerned about what is best for you.

Is there a time limit on when I can change plans?
TRUE. Medicare allows plan changes from October 15 – December 7th each year. Medicare Advantage plans have an Open Enrollment from January 1st to March 31st each year. Outside of these times, you much qualify for a Special Enrollment period to make changes.

Can I really get free groceries?
FALSE. Most Medicare Beneficiaries who will qualify for free groceries are on the Texas Medicaid program. This is a minority of the Texas Medicare population.

Can I get free over the counter items?
TRUE. Many Medicare Advantages plans in our area have a quarterly over the counter benefit.

Can I get free dental and vision services?
TRUE. Many Medicare Advantage plans have vision and limited dental available to members. Check to see what your plan includes. Supplement plans do NOT have vision and dental benefits, though some may offer discounts.

Can I get free transportation to medical appointments?
TRUE. Some Medicare Advantage plans include transportation to medical appointments for free or for a small fee.

Can I get free Home Meals Delivered after discharge from the hospital?
TRUE. Some Medicare Advantage plans include up to 28 meals delivered to your home after discharge from a hospital or Skilled Nursing Facility.

Can I ensure my medications are covered?
TRUE. Checking the medications against the plan formulary will allow you to know if your medications are covered by that plan.

Can I ensure my doctors are in network?
TRUE. You can verify network status of your physicians before enrolling in a plan.

Can I get dental and vision insurance through the Marketplace?
TRUE and FALSE. The Marketplace does have dental insurance but does NOT have vision insurance. Stand alone vision or dental plans are available at a reasonable cost.

This article is for information only and should not be considered a recommendation. Talk with a licensed Health Insurance Professional about your specific circumstances. For more information you can go to The Texas Department of Insurance.