With the Medicare Annual Medicare Enrollment period well underway, a new poll by Clover Health reveals that just 32% of seniors in Bulloch County are enrolled in a Medicare Advantage (MA) plan, despite significant increases in enrollment nationwide over the past decade.
Each fall, older adults enrolled in Medicare are able to easily switch and join an Advantage plan. In 2019, the Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) began on October 15 and runs through December 7. New coverage chosen during this year's AEP will begin on January 1, 2020.
As of September 2019, 11,377 adults in Bulloch County were eligible for Medicare, yet only 32% of residents are enrolled in MA plans, compared to 34% of peers throughout the country. Neighboring counties of Chatham (39%) and Effingham County (35%) fare slightly better, while others fall even farther behind — just 20% of Beaufort County seniors, 34% in Bryan County, 31% in Jasper County and 29% of those in Liberty County are enrolled in MA plans.
"Choosing a healthcare plan is one of the most important decisions older adults make each year," said Tyler Henderson, VP of Southeast Operations, Clover Health. "That's why Clover is urging the 70% of Savannah-area seniors not enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan to research their options outside of traditional Medicare and explore the high-quality, personalized benefits offered through MA, often at a lower cost."
Medicare Advantage plans are part of the official Medicare system, but can also provide substantial hospital and doctor visit coverage, low premiums, and a wealth of additional benefits—including prescription drug coverage, in-home checkups, vision, dental, and hearing care—not covered by traditional Medicare.
Through December 7, Savannah and Bulloch-area seniors can sign up for Clover's Medicare Advantage plan option in the region. This AEP, Clover is offering:
A zero-dollar premium plan
Zero copay for primary care visits and low-cost copay options for specialist visits
Customized plans for beneficiaries who receive government assistance
Competitive supplemental benefits including dental, vision, prescription drug and hearing coverage, as well as transportation benefits and 24/7 access to doctors
Older adults and others eligible for Medicare nationwide can also explore their options through the newly modernized Medicare Plan Finder from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, designed to help anyone compare coverage and benefits across available plans.
(Disclaimer: Clover Health is a Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) plan and a Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) plan with a Medicare contract. Enrollment in Clover Health depends on contract renewal.)
This content provided by Clover Health.