Benefits Counseling Assistance Available for Medicare Beneficiaries Through Open Enrollment
Area Agency on Aging of East Texas • October 20, 2020
Follow these Tips to Avoid Medicare Fraud
People with Medicare have more choices and options for their Medicare coverage in 2021 with historically low premiums. Plan costs and covered benefits have changed, so the Area Agency on Aging of East Texas (AAA) encourages people with Medicare to look at their coverage choices and decide the options that best fits their health needs. Open Enrollment for 2021 Medicare health and drug plans began on October 15, 2020, and ends December 7, 2020, giving individuals a chance to modify their plans.
The changes Medicare recipients can make during Open Enrollment include:
- Joining a new Medicare Advantage Plan or Part D prescription drug plan
- Switching from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage Plan
- Switching from a Medicare Advantage Plan to Original Medicare (with or without a Part D plan)
Beneficiaries should always shop for a new drug plan, and Medicare Advantage plan each year to ensure they are getting the best coverage for the best price to suit their needs. Plans can be viewed and compared at www.medicare.gov.
“We recommend that you get a family member to help if you don’t use the Internet or call us to talk with a certified Benefits Counselor. Our Benefits Counselors may not recommend a specific policy or plan, but can provide factual, unbiased information and assistance to help seniors make their choice of coverage. And it is always good to compare plans every year, even if you like your current plan," said AAA director Bettye Mitchell.
The AAA is also known as the State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) and is available to compare your current coverage with available options and assist you with enrollment at no cost. Speak to a qualified Benefits Counselor by calling 1-800-442-8845. You may set up an appointment and be advised over the phone or by virtual meeting.
Be on alert for these Medicare Open Enrollment scams:
- Medicare or a health plan calls and wants to send you a new health card for $299.
- You receive a call about a refund from last year’s premiums or your drug plan cost.
- An agent tries to sign you up for a plan that you don’t need, isn’t right for you, or doesn’t even exist.
- Watch out for fake RX cards offering significant discounts with little or no benefits.
- You receive a call offering significant discounts on a new health insurance plan.
Tips on how to stop fraud during Open Enrollment:
- Medicare will never call or visit. Medicare will only send information via postal mail service.
- Guard your Medicare card and number like a credit card.
- Don’t give out your Medicare number except to your doctor or other providers.
- Don’t let someone push you into making a fast decision.
- If you receive a call, especially from a number you do not recognize or anyone requesting personal information, hang up immediately.
- Know your health care options. Get help from your family, the Medicare website, or your local State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP).
- No health care plan is allowed to cold call.
For questions about fraud or to report a scam, please contact the Senior Medicare Patrol at 1-888-341-6187.
Throughout May, the Area Agency on Aging of East Texas (AAA) will join organizations across the nation in celebrating Older Americans Month (OAM), led by the Administration for Community Living, honoring the important contributions of older adults in our communities. This year’s theme, “Champion Your Health,” encourages older adults to focus on the steps they can take to support their physical, mental, and emotional well-being, while highlighting the resources and community connections that help people age well. In recognition of Older Americans Month, AAA will host three special events at community locations across East Texas to celebrate older adults and share information about programs and services available to seniors and caregivers. Throughout the month of May, the Area Agency on Aging will also participate in additional events that promote the mental and physical health of our communities and recognize the many contributions older Americans have made, and continue to make, across the country. As the United States marks its 250th anniversary this year, Older Americans Month also offers an opportunity to reflect on the generations of older adults whose service, leadership, and life experiences have helped shape our nation, our state, and our local communities. “Older Americans Month is an important time to recognize the lasting contributions of older adults and the many ways they strengthen our communities,” said Adrian Cornejo, ETCOG’s Director of the Area Agency on Aging. “This year’s theme, Champion Your Health, reminds us of the importance of supporting healthy aging by connecting older East Texans with resources, services, and opportunities that help them live well and remain engaged.” The following OAM celebration events are free and open to the public and will feature information on services and supports available to East Texas seniors: Friday, May 15 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM First Christian Church 1920 Beaumont St. Jacksonville, Texas 75766 Wednesday, May 20 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM Marshall Convention Center 2501 E. End Blvd S. Marshall, Texas 75672 Thursday, May 21 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM First Methodist Church of Athens 225 Lovers Lane Athens, Texas 75751 The AAA is the region’s leader in advocacy and services for older adults, providing support such as information and referral, benefits counseling, case management, health education classes, senior nutrition, and the Ombudsman program for people living in nursing and assisted living facilities. These services help older individuals live independent, meaningful, and dignified lives in their homes and communities for as long as possible. For questions about the events, contact the Area Agency on Aging of East Texas at (903) 218-6500.
The East Texas Area Agency on Aging (ETAAA), a program of the East Texas Council of Governments (ETCOG), is inviting the public to review and comment on our 2027 to 2029 Area Plan. ETAAA serves as the Area Agency on Aging for Planning and Service Area 4, a fourteen-county region in East Texas. The Area Plan outlines our strategy to strengthen the Aging Services Network and address the needs of people age 60 and older, family caregivers, and individuals with disabilities. It also guides how we plan, coordinate, and oversee services supported by the Older Americans Act and other state and local initiatives. Our mission is to serve as the region’s leader in advocating for and delivering services that enable older adults to live independently, with dignity and purpose, in their homes and communities. Our vision, “Age Well, Live Well, ” reflects a person-centered approach focused on better choices, improved health, and access to nutritious food. We call it “Serving One Senior at a Time.” The 2027–2029 Area Plan is guided by a needs assessment incorporating data, service trends, and stakeholder input. Key priority needs include access to home- and community-based services, caregiver support, transportation, nutrition and food security, social isolation, healthcare access and chronic disease management, and improved service coordination and system navigation. How to share your input Public comments will be accepted through April 26, 2026 . Submit comments by mail or email: Mail: Area Agency on Aging, 3800 Stone Road, Kilgore, TX 75662 Email: Colleen.Halliburton@etcog.org
