Blog Post
2021 Medicare Advantage and Part D Plan Information Now Available on Medicare.gov Ahead of Medicare Open Enrollment
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services • Oct 05, 2020
Following last week’s announcement
of historically low premiums in Medicare Advantage, starting today, seniors can begin to compare their Medicare coverage options for 2021. CMS has released the 2021 benefit and cost-sharing information for Medicare Advantage and Part D prescription drug plans on Medicare.gov. Additionally, for the first time, seniors will be able to find through Medicare Plan Finder on Medicare.gov more than 1,600 prescription drug plans to choose from that will offer insulin at no more than a $35 monthly copay beginning in January.
Average 2021 premiums for Medicare Advantage plans are expected to decline 34.2 percent from 2017 while plan choice, benefits, and enrollment continue to increase. The Medicare Advantage average monthly premium will be the lowest in 14 years (since 2007). This is for the over 26 million Medicare beneficiaries projected to enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan for 2021. In some states, including Alabama, Nevada, Michigan, and Kentucky, beneficiaries will see average premium decreases of more than 50 percent since 2017.
Beneficiaries will have more plan choices in Medicare Advantage, with about 2,100 more Medicare Advantage plans operating in 2021 than in 2017, a 76.6 percent increase. Overall, beneficiaries will be able to choose from more than 4,800 Medicare Advantage plans during Medicare Open Enrollment.
CMS has added a new “Insulin Savings” filter on Medicare Plan Finder to display plans that will offer the capped out-of-pocket costs for insulin. Beneficiaries use the Medicare Plan Finder to view plan options and look for a participating plan in their area that covers their insulin at no more than a $35 monthly copay.
Medicare Open Enrollment begins on October 15, 2020, and ends on December 7, 2020. During this time, Medicare beneficiaries can compare coverage options like Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage and choose health and drug plans for 2021. Medicare health and drug plan costs and covered benefits can change from year to year, so people with Medicare should look at their coverage choices and decide on the options that best meet their health needs. They can visit Medicare.gov (https://www.medicare.gov), call 1-800-MEDICARE, or contact their State Health Insurance Assistance Program. People who want to keep their current Medicare coverage do not need to re-enroll.
“Power in Community” Conference Will Cover Medicare Basics, Savings Programs, Preventing Fraud, Health and Wellness, and Community Resources
Throughout May, the Area Agency on Aging of East Texas (AAA) is joining organizations across the nation to celebrate the seniors in our communities for Older Americans Month (OAM). The AAA will host and partner with organizations for six celebration events across East Texas at area senior centers and community centers focusing on connection – how communities can build relationships to maintain a healthy senior population. OAM is a national initiative led by the Administration for Community Living. This year’s theme, Powered by Connection , recognizes the profound impact that meaningful relationships and social connections have on our health and well-being. The following OAM celebration events are open to the public and will include food, fun, door prizes, and information on services available to East Texas seniors: May 8th at the Forever Young Activity Center, located at 404 S. Main St. in Quitman, from 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM May 9th at the Harrison County Extension Office, located at 2005 Warren Dr. in Marshall, from 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM May 14th at the Douglas Alumni Association Inc., located at 408 Terry St. in Pittsburg, from 9:30 AM - 2:00 PM May 16th at the First United Methodist Church, located at 225 Lovers Ln in Athens, from 9:30 AM - 2:00 PM May 30th at Central Baptist Church, located at 220 W. Sabine St. in Carthage, from 9:30 AM - 1:00 PM The AAA serves as the region's leader in advocating and providing various services, such as information and referral, benefits counseling, case management, health education classes, senior nutrition, housing repair, and support through the Ombudsman program for people in nursing and assisted living facilities. These services help older individuals live independent, meaningful, and dignified lives in their own homes and communities for as long as possible. Contact the AAA for questions about the events by calling (903) 218-6500.
About Us
The Area Agency on Aging of East Texas
is designated by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) to coordinate services for persons in East Texas who are 60 or older, with particular attention to low-income minority older individuals, older individuals with limited-English proficiency, and older individuals residing in rural areas.
1501 Pentecost Road
Kilgore, Texas 75662
1-800-442-8845
Deaf, hard-of-hearing or speech-impaired customers may contact
Relay Texas: 800-735-2989 (TTY) and 711 (Voice).
Equal opportunity is the law.
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