Insurance Insights

December 5-11, 2016

Medicare Open Enrollment ends Dec. 7

By Allen Kerr

Medicare Open Enrollment is in its last few days, and I wanted to use this week’s column to remind you that there is is free assistance available through Dec. 7.

If you’re an Arkansas senior, making sure to participate in Medicare Open Enrollment should be on your to-do list. I encourage all Arkansans on Medicare not to let the Dec. 7 deadline pass them by and miss this opportunity to make the best decision for their health plans and prescription drug coverage for 2017. And, as always, if you need assistance, our SHIIP staff is ready to help!

During the open enrollment period, Medicare-eligible Arkansans can:

– Change from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage Plan.

– Change from a Medicare Advantage Plan back to Original Medicare.

– Switch from one Medicare Advantage Plan to another Medicare Advantage Plan.

– Switch from a Medicare Advantage Plan that doesn’t offer drug coverage to a Medicare Advantage Plan that offers drug coverage.

– Switch from a Medicare Advantage Plan that offers drug coverage to a Medicare Advantage Plan that doesn’t offer drug coverage.

– Join a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan.

– Switch from one Medicare drug plan to another Medicare drug plan.

– Drop your Medicare prescription drug coverage completely. “It’s worth it to take the time to review and compare Medicare options,” Kerr added.

Additionally, I encourage Arkansas seniors to put one of the following Open Enrollment events on your to-do list before the December 7 deadline. For more information, please call AID’s SHIIP division at 800-224-6330.

December 5

El Dorado Connections Volunteer Center, El Dorado; 8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Houseaboutit, Little Rock; 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Independence County Senior Center, Batesville; By Appointment

Baxter County Area Agency on Aging, Mountain Home; By Appointment

Benton County Area Agency on Aging, Bentonville; By Appointment

Washington County Area Agency on Aging, Fayetteville; By Appointment

Oaklawn Senior Health Care Center, Hot Spring; 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. By Appointment

December 6

El Dorado Connections Volunteer Center, El Dorado; 8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Houseaboutit, Little Rock; 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Independence County Senior Center, Batesville; By Appointment

Baxter County Area Agency on Aging, Mountain Home; By Appointment

Boone County Area Agency on Aging. Harrison; By Appointment

Carroll County Area Agency on Aging, Berryville; By Appointment

Madison County Area Agency on Aging, Huntsville; By Appointment

Searcy County Area Agency on Aging, Marshall; By Appointment

Washington County Area Agency on Aging, Fayetteville; By Appointment

Oaklawn Senior Health Care Center, Hot Spring; 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. By Appointment

December 7

El Dorado Connections Volunteer Center, El Dorado; 8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Houseaboutit, Little Rock; 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Independence County Senior Center, Batesville; By Appointment

Baxter County Area Agency on Aging, Mountain Home; By Appointment

Boone County Area Agency on Aging. Harrison; By Appointment

Carroll County Area Agency on Aging, Berryville; By Appointment

Marion County Area Agency on Aging, Yellville; By Appointment

Newton County Area Agency on Aging, Jasper; By Appointment

Washington County Area Agency on Aging, Fayetteville; By Appointment

Oaklawn Senior Health Care Center, Hot Spring; 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. By Appointment

White River Area Agency on Aging, Searcy; By Appointment

It is my pleasure to continue to serve you as your Insurance Commissioner. For more information on the Arkansas Insurance Department, please visit http://insurance.arkansas.gov, follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/ARInsuranceDept and Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/ArkansasInsuranceDepartment.  

Allen Kerr was appointed Arkansas Insurance Commissioner on Jan. 13, 2016, by Governor Asa Hutchinson.