Reader Alert: 4 weeks to October 15th…Medicare’s Open Enrollment Countdown begins…
Correction on article from last week-Companies Not Covering Retirees Effective January 1, 2013, I mentioned that TRS was one of the retiree groups not covering retirees that should be corrected to TRS is still covering retirees, but they did change the retiree plans and below is an explanation of what the TRS retiree benefits are. Many TRS retirees or those reaching Medicare age are confused over which option to select. Below is an explanation of what the TRS retiree benefits are and a question from Jim about TRS and turning 65.
Toni:
I will be 65 in January, 2014. I am a retired Texas teacher. I do not know what I should do. Take original Medicare with TRS Aetna plan or the TRS Aetna Medicare Advantage plan… Is it possible to change back to original, if you start the Aetna Medicare Advantage plan? Or the other way, start with medicare original and change to an advantage plan. Once I make a decision am I stuck in it? What are the advantages or disadvantages in each?
Jim:
Choosing a TRS-Care plan whether “Original” Medicare with Aetna or the TRS-Aetna Medicare Advantage plan can be kind of tricky. Since you are already retired and turning 65 in January, I would make sure that I can enroll in both Medicare Parts A and B because you need both parts to enroll in the TRS Aetna Medicare Advantage plan. Being a teacher with Medicare is different depending on your particular situation.
I am not sure which TRS-Care package was sent whether TRS 2 or 3, I will explain the differences in the 2 plans and these are 2013 benefits as the 2014 benefits are not on the TRS retiree benefit web site.
1) TRS-Care 2 or 3 with “Original Medicare”: Depending on which plan you elect TRS 2(with $1,000 deductible and $4,000 out of pocket maximum) or TRS 3(with $300 deductible and $3,300 out of pocket maximum). With Original Medicare, you have control over choosing which doctor, hospital or healthcare professional to use not an insurance company advising you what to do.
2) Aetna Medicare Advantage Care 2 or 3 Plan: You must be enrolled in both Medicare Parts A and B. Aetna not Medicare will pay claims because with a Medicare Advantage plan, Medicare pays a fixed amount for your care every month to the companies offering Medicare Advantage Plans. This TRS plan your monthly premiums are reduced by $15.00.
You asked if you are stuck in the plan for that year and here is what TRS has told their members… you can change from one to another plan any time of the year. If you have met your out of pocket with the TRS Aetna Medicare Advantage plan and change to the Original Medicare with TRS Aetna plan, then you have to start over with a new deductible and maximum out of pocket.
Before you make your change to aTRS Aetna Medicare plan, this is what I advise my clients…talk to your doctors and see which plan your doctor’s offices consider to be your most appropriate choice. Your doctor’s office knows more of what is happening with healthcare reform (Obamacare) than you can imagine and can advise you accordingly.
Confused about Medicare” Workshops the week of Sept 28-Oct 4th
- Tuesday Oct 1st from 6:00pm to 8:00pm at the
West University Place-Senior Center, West University Place, TX 77005.
- Thursday, October 3rdfrom 6:00pm-8:00pm at Champion Forest Baptist Church-Multipurpose Building, 15555 Stuebner-Airline Dr, Houston, TX 77069. These workshops are free and the public is invited. RSVP as seating is limited RSVP 832/800-4674. Visit https://tonisays.com/calendar-of-events/ to view which workshop is in your area.
Toni King, Medicare advocate, consultant and author of Medicare Survival Guide available only at www.tonisays.com. Sign up for the new Medicare Survival newsletter available at www.tonisays.com.For any Medicare questions, contact Toni at www. tonisays.com/ask-toni.
