Changes mean more decisions to make

The changes to Medicare with the addition of prescription drug coverage and the expansion of Medicare Advantage plans has lead to a great deal of confusion for beneficiaries.

Making decisions about Medicare can be difficult will all these new choices. You can either keep your Original Medicare benefits, or you can switch to a Medicare Advantage Plan that will provide your coverage instead of Medicare.

Add to this mix your Part D plan choices, and you can see why it is important that you are very careful when you make changes to your Medicare.

All of these choices can create the potential for being misinformed and misguided. Before you make a change, make sure it is right for you.

It is important for people who now have Original Medicare and are considering enrolling in any Medicare Advantage Plans to understand:

1. The Plan will provide your primary health coverage instead of Original Medicare.

2. Original Medicare will no longer pay for your health care once you enroll in the plan.

3. You will be given a new Plan card, and it will replace your Medicare card.

4. You will continue to pay your Part B premium even if you enroll in a Medicare Advantage Plan.

5. The plan is not a Medicare Supplement Plan, and it does not replace Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap).

6. You may be charged extra co-payments or cost-sharing expenses for Medicare services.

Medicare Advantage Plans may provide good coverage for some beneficiaries, but you need to make sure your current healthcare providers are part of the plan's network.

Also, you need to you make sure you can afford to pay any co-payments as well as the monthly premium.

But all these choices can sometimes to fraud and abuse by individuals who take advantage of your confusion. Medicare has specific guidelines companies and their agents must follow when selling Medicare Advantage plans.

Making a change to your Medicare is serious, so look out for these "red flags" before you enroll in a new plan.

1. A sales person appears at your door uninvited. Strict marketing guidelines do not allow home visits unless you have given the company permission before the visit.

2. A sales person contacts you in person or by phone and says they are with Medicare. They may even hand you a red, white, and blue business card. Medicare does not make home visits or unsolicited phone calls. The sales person is not with Medicare!

3. A sales person tells you the plan is a Medicare Supplement Plan, and it will not affect your Original Medicare. The plan is not a Medicare Supplement Plan. The plan will provide your primary health care coverage instead of Medicare.

4. A sales person tells you that your doctor accepts the new plan. It is important to contact your doctor directly and check to see if he or she will accept the new plan.

5. A sales person wants to see your Medicare card and have you sign something. Do not show the sales person your Medicare card! Do not sign anything you have not read. Do not sign anything you do not understand.

6. A sales person wants you to make a decision today - without taking the time to make sure you understand the new plan.

Take your time, ask questions, check with your doctor to see if they take then plan, then only sign the form after you feel you understand all your costs and benefits.

Report suspected healthcare fraud and abuse to the Better Business Bureau Education Foundation SMP at 713-341- 6184 or 877-468-9222.