Contributed by Fallon Health
The ongoing coronavirus crisis presents challenges for all of us. At Fallon Health, we believe it’s important that we support one another during this time—within our communities of friends, families, neighborhoods and businesses. And as an essential business, we have remained fully operational since the onset—continuing to serve the needs of our members, as well as those who are looking for insurance coverage.
Understanding the Basics of Medicare
People should enroll in Medicare when they first become eligible. Timely enrollment ensures you have coverage when you need it and helps you avoid financial penalties. While some become eligible for Medicare due to
a disability or illness, most people become eligible for Medicare at age 65.
You may join Medicare during your Initial Enrollment Period—a seven-month time frame which includes the three months prior to the month of your 65th birthday, the month of your birthday, and the three months after. To start enrollment, you’ll need to contact the Social Security Administration. Some people will be automatically enrolled in Medicare, but it’s best to start the process yourself. This is true even if you plan to continue working for a while after you turn 65.
Now is the time when people with Medicare can change their plan, but like everything else this year, our approach to Medicare’s Annual Election Period will look a little different. First, here are a few of the basics about Medicare’s Annual Election Period:
- Sometimes referred to as open enrollment, Medicare’s Annual Election
Period takes place between October 15 and December 7 each year. - People eligible for Medicare can join a plan, switch plans and change
their coverage during this time. - To be eligible for Medicare Advantage plans, like Fallon Medicare Plus,
a person must:- Be enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B
- Continue to pay their Medicare Part B premium, if not otherwise paid for under Medicaid or by another third party
- Reside in the service area
Please note: Medicare Advantage Special Needs Plans will have additional requirements.
Learning about Fallon Medicare Plus Enrollment Options
Because of COVID 19, we’re changing our procedures a little bit this year. There are fewer person-to-person interactions and more virtual meetings. Fallon is holding several virtual presentations on Medicare Advantage and Medicare Supplement plans. Learn about the plans Fallon has to offer at a time that’s convenient for you. See a schedule here
(fallonhealth.org/find-insurance).
We’re also scheduling one-on-one meetings with Fallon representatives who can help you decide which plan is best for you. If you’d like to meet with a Fallon representative, please call 1-888-377-1980 (TRS 711), 8 am – 8 pm seven days a week, or email: MedicareSalesOperations@fallonhealth.org.
At this time, one-on-one meetings will be held via phone or video.
Additionally, we’re offering two video presentations, which can be found on our website:
- Medicare 101
- Medicare Advantage and Medicare Supplement
Visit fallonhealth.org/medicare to view the presentations.
We have put our annual enrollment printed materials on our website, and all are available to download (fallonhealth.org/find-insurance/medicare). We invite you to browse through the materials to see what benefits and services Fallon is offering for 2021.
For those who want to enroll in Fallon Medicare Plus, there are several options:
- Go to Fallon’s website, fallonhealth.org/medicare, and enroll there. Members may also enroll through Medicare’s online enrollment center at medicare.gov.
- Enroll by phone at 1-888-377-1980 (TRS 711).
- Fill out the paper form included in Fallon’s enrollment booklet.
Please note: These options do not all apply to NaviCare plans.
Fallon is here to help, whether you’re new to Medicare, or have been a member for a long time. With over 40 years of experience, we know how to make Medicare easy to understand. And our corporate offices are here in Worcester—right in your backyard.
For more information about Fallon Health’s 2021 Medicare and Medicare Advantage offerings during the open enrollment season underway now through December 7, please visit fallonhealth.org/medicare.
