Some California Seniors In Santa Cruz Lose Medicare Advantage

By Author: Ruskin Booth
Total Articles: 14
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Over 2000 seniors in Santa Cruz, Calif. will be forced to choose a new health plan in 2011 when a Medicare Advantage plan stops offering its plan there.

It’s serious when seniors are forced to find new Medicare insurance coverage due to no choice of their own. Finding a new Medicare insurance plan takes time to compare rates, plans and benefits.

Medicare Advantage Changes in Santa Cruz County

Members were notified of the intent to end the plan by Oct. 2 based on an assessment of its sustainability. According to an administrator of the Santa Cruz County Health Services Agency, it’s not uncommon for health care plans to drop seniors when a plan isn’t making enough money.

Medicare Beneficiaries Have Resources Available

Every state has a State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) which can provide Medicare beneficiaries with free personalized counseling.

In the state of California, seniors can access counselors through the Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program (HICAP), a SHIP program that provides free, unbiased Medicare counseling and help with other health care issues. ...
... In Santa Cruz County the HICAP is at the Senior Network Services in Live Oak.

Counselors can help:

1. Choose a health care plan

2. Decide between Original Medicare (fee-for-service) and Medicare Advantage Plans

3. Understand your health plan choices

4. Determine how to purchase additional health insurance such as a Medigap policy or long-term care insurance

5. Understand how to appeal payment denials

6. Understand your Medicare rights and how to submit a complaint about medical care or treatment

From what I understand all the options for Santa Cruz Medicare beneficiaries aren’t out yet. A complete list is supposed to be posted on the Medicare website by the end of October. Once this information is available HICAP counselors will be able to answer questions about the changes occurring in Santa Cruz County.

supplemental Medicare insurance is something that is not expected by the common people, Medigap is a good name given to them and thus Medicare supplemental plans are very effective for the future needs of the people.