Mary, age 67, lost her job due to downsizing in December … She already had Medicare Part A (hospital coverage) so she then signed up for Part B (doctors, outpatient, etc.) which became effective in March … What she didn’t know was that she only had 60 days (at that time) to enroll in either a Medicare Part D prescription plan or a Medicare Advantage plan (which enhances Parts A & B and includes Part D).
A recent condition caused her prescription costs to jump to $350 per month.
Not easy for someone on a fixed income.
By early June, when she was referred to us, it was too late to enroll in a supplemental plan ... She now had to wait until the fall to enroll and the plan wouldn’t be effective until next January … The bottom line? … She ended up with no prescription coverage for 12 months.
The ideal situation would have been for her to enroll in a $0 Premium Medicare Advantage plan within 60 days of being downsized but she didn’t know this plan existed … HR rarely hears about these situations because the employees have already left … Would Mary have been better prepared if her employer offered a Medicare Workshop? …
Perhaps a Lunch & Learn? … At no cost to either employer or employee?
And that’s what we do … Medicare Educational Workshops
It’s a free employee benefit.
Every year, 75,000 people will reach age 65 in Massachusetts.
And they all don’t reach age 65 in the same month … The need is ongoing.
