COLUMBUS – Medicare’s annual open enrollment period starts Oct. 15. This means if you’re one of the more than two million Ohioans on the federal health insurance program, it’s time to become familiar with changes for 2023 and review your healthcare needs, including preferred prescription drugs and doctors. So, when the plan options are announced, you’re ready to pick one that’s best for you and your budget.
Of course, all of this is easier said than done. That’s why the Ohio Senior Health Insurance Information Program, the state’s official Medicare educational, plan comparison, and enrollment assistance program is conducting free virtual and on-site Medicare Check-up events in communities across the state now and through open enrollment, which ends Dec. 7.
“This is an important time of the year for Ohioans on Medicare. Our OSHIIP Medicare experts are ready to be of assistance every step of the way,” Ohio Department of Insurance director Judith L. French said.
Let’s take a deeper dive into OSHIIP and its Medicare Check-up events, and Medicare.
OSHIIP’s impact
OSHIIP, funded in part by Medicare, is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year of helping Ohioans navigate Medicare. Over the past year, OSHIIP helped thousands of Ohioans save more than $25 million through unbiased careful coverage evaluation and financial assistance identification.
Take advantage of the Medicare Check-up events
During the events, experts will go over Medicare fundamentals, what’s new, how to review current plan and compare plans for 2023, prescription drug coverage options, and ways to save money. The events are presentation-only until Oct. 15 when plan comparisons and counseling services become included in most events.
To find an event in or near your community, an on-site schedule, which can be sorted by date and county, is available at www.insurance.ohio.gov, where you can also find a listing of virtual events. The virtual events will be recorded for online viewing.
Medicare plan options for 2023
Medicare will release plan information on Oct. 1 at www.medicare.gov. Careful evaluation is imperative because Medicare plans can change year-over-year. Plans may have different benefits, out-of-pocket costs, covered prescription drugs, in-network physicians, and premiums than the year before.
Questions? OSHIIP can help
If you can’t attend a Medicare Check-up event, OSHIIP offers individual virtual counseling appointments that can be scheduled on the department’s website. Staff also provide assistance through 800-686-1578 and oshiipmail@insurance.ohio.gov, Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Ohioans on Medicare can also call 800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) 24-hours-a-day, seven days a week for Medicare help.
