We are excited to be reaching out to you, our Medicare community, with our DDI Medicare E-Newsletter! While we have not been able to see you in person lately, we’re so happy to have reached many of you virtually, either through one of our live Medicare 101 Webinars, via a Zoom call, email conversation, by phone, or via our E-Newsletters! We’ve all had to make adjustments, and we are grateful that we were able to connect with so many of you, despite the challenges of the pandemic. 

We are here to continue to partner with you as you navigate your Medicare options when approaching 65, retiring past 65, or as you consider switching to a different Medicare Plan during one of the enrollment periods. Our DDI team of knowledgeable and helpful advisors can help guide you to the options that best fit your needs, and our services are always free to you.

Here’s what you’ll find in this issue of the DDI Medicare E-Newsletter:

• What’s so special about 5 stars?
• Top 10 Medicare Insurance Myths
• Register for a FREE Medicare 101 Webinar
• When is the next Annual Enrollment Period? Will My Premiums Change?

What’s so special about 5 stars?

If a Medicare Advantage Plan, with a 5-star rating (awarded by Medicare), is available in your zip code, you can use the 5-star Special Enrollment Period (SEP) to switch from your current Medicare plan to a Medicare plan with a “5-star” quality rating. You can us this SEP only once between December 8 and November 30.

Learn more about Medicare’s 5-star performance ratings by clicking here or contact your Medicare advisor at DDI, medicare@ddibenefits.com / 503-206-5654

Want to learn more about 5-star rated plans available to you? Contact DDI at medicare@ddibenefits.com.

Top 10 Medicare Insurance Myths

Want to see why these are myths and how to get the correct information? Just click here to view them on our website!

• My Medicare card will automatically arrive in the mail. Not for everyone!
• Since I’m still working and have employer insurance, I don’t need to worry about Medicare until I retire. It depends!
• It doesn’t matter when I enroll in Medicare. Yes, it does.
• Since I’m on COBRA, I don’t need to sign up for Medicare Part B. Yes, you do!
• If I don’t want to enroll in Medicare, I can purchase individual private insurance. You sure about that?
• I don’t want to pay for Part B, so I’ll just take Part A and get a supplement for the rest. Better do some more research!
• I won’t draw Social Security until I turn 66, so I’ll wait until then to sign up for Medicare. You might be confused
• Medicare Advantage plans are the same as Medicare supplements. Nope!
• My neighbor loves her drug plan, so it will probably work for me. Maybe….maybe not!
• Medicare is the best source of all information. Not quite true…

Register for a FREE Medicare 101 Webinar

To help you get the information you need to make the best decision for you, DDI provides free Medicare 101 educational webinars (seminars delivered online). Webinars are free and easy to watch/listen to from the convenience of your home on your computer, laptop or tablet. You can also choose to participate by phone only. They are offered twice, each month, on the first and third Wednesdays. Here is the upcoming webinar schedule: 

• Wednesday, March 2, 10:30 AM 
• Wednesday, March 16, 4:30 PM 
• Wednesday, April 6, 10:30 AM 
• Wednesday, April 20, 4:30 PM 

Register online at www.ddibenefits.com/medicare101

When is the next Annual Enrollment Period? Will My Premiums Change?

• You can join, switch, or drop a Medicare health plan or a Medicare Advantage Plan (Part C) during the AEP from October 15- December 7 each year. Your coverage will begin on January 1 (as long as the plan gets your request by December 7).
• According to a national study by (Medicare Advantage 2022 Spotlight by KFF.org), premiums paid by Medicare Advantage enrollees have slowly declined since 2015 to an average of $19 across all plans in 2022. By October 1^st of each year the details about any changes to plans for the next year, starting January 1^st, are made available.