Home Health and Medicare Open Enrollment Options

Medicare’s Open Enrollment ends December 7.

Even if you’re happy with your current Medicare coverage, it’s important

to know your Medicare coverage options for 2022. Here are a few reasons why:

• Your needs may change. You may find you’re going to the doctor more or less often, the prescription drugs you take may be different, or you may need better access to health care services.

• Benefits can vary. Not all Medicare coverage options offer the same benefits. Plan benefits can change from year-to-year.

• New, more affordable Medicare plans may be available. The total cost, provider network, and services offered are different between plans. Review plans to see if other plan options could better meet your needs or lower your out-of-pocket costs.

Compare Medicare health & drug plans

Each year, plans can make changes to the items and services they cover and what you pay. Decide if your current Medicare plan will meet your health care needs for the year ahead. If you like your current Medicare coverage and it’s still available for 2022, you don’t need to do anything.

You can break up with your Medicare Advantage plan from October 15 through December 7, and again from January 1 through March 31, in favor of Original Medicare.

Changing from Medicare Advantage to Original Medicare

Changing from Medicare Advantage to Original Medicare is a very simple process once you’re ready and eligible to switch. There are three ways you can make the change:

1. Visit your local Social Security Office and ask to be disenrolled from Medicare Advantage;

2. Call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) and process your disenrollment over the phone; or

3. Contact your Medicare Advantage insurer directly and request a disenrollment form.

In 2017, Medicare spent $17.7 million on home health services for 3.4 million beneficiaries, more than double the amount expended in 2001, according to the federal Medicare Payment Advisory Commission. To be covered, the services must be ordered by a doctor, and Volunteer Home Care, or any Medicare-certified agency, can provide the care. Under these circumstances, Medicare can pay the full cost of home health care for up to 60 days at a time.

That period is renewable, meaning Medicare will continue to provide coverage if your doctor recertifies at least once every 60 days that the home services remain medically necessary.

You have the right to choose the home health care agency that is right for you and your family. Not every Advantage plan offers you that choice, so it is important to review your options and find out if keeping your traditional Medicare is right for you during this open enrollment period.

Medicare’s website has a search and comparison tool to help you find certified home health agencies in your area. If you have original Medicare, Parts A and B, you can choose any approved agency.

If you have a Medicare Advantage plan from a private insurance company, you may have to use an agency that the plan works with. Before you start receiving care, the agency should let you know, verbally and in writing, whether some of the services they provide are not covered by Medicare and what you would pay for them.

Visit our Services page to find out more about home health and how we can help you Enhance your quality of life with personalized care at home.

Volunteer Home Care is a Medicare-certified and state-licensed home health agency. We offer home health, private duty, and personal care support services in 29 counties throughout West and Middle Tennessee. Locally owned and operated, we proudly support the communities in which we serve.

Exceptional patient care is our goal. Active listening and clear communication with our patients make them feel empowered to make informed decisions about their health care. We strive to maintain a culture of excellence for our patients, caregivers, physicians, and other providers. Our focus on quality, safety, advocacy, and service enables us to actively demonstrate our mission each day.