AHIP Module 5 Continued...

Which of the following individuals is most likely to be eligible to enroll in a Medicare Advantage or Part D Plan?

Jose, a grandfather who was granted asylum and has worked in the United States for many years.

Mr. Garrett has just entered his MA Initial Coverage Election Period (ICEP). What action could you help him take during this time?

He will have one opportunity to enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan.

Mrs. Roberts has Original Medicare and would like to enroll in a Private Fee-for-Service (PFFS) plan. All types of PFFS plans are available in her area. Which options could Mrs. Roberts consider before selecting a PFFS plan?

A Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug (MA-PD) PFFS plan that combines medical benefits and Part D prescription drug coverage, a PFFS plan offering only medical benefits, or a PFFS plan in combination with a stand-alone prescription drug plan.

Mrs. Disraeli is enrolled in Original Medicare (Parts A and B) and a standalone Part D prescription drug plan. She has recently developed diabetes and has suffered from heart disease for several years. She has also recently learned that her area is served by a SNP for individuals suffering from such a combination of chronic diseases (C-SNP). Mrs. Disraeli is concerned however, that she will have few rights or protections if she enrolls in a C-SNP. How would you respond?

Enrollees in SNPs must have access to provider networks that include enough doctors, specialists, and hospitals to provide all covered services necessary to meet enrollee needs within reasonable travel time.

Mr. Sanchez is entitled to Part A but has not enrolled in Part B because he has coverage through an employer plan. If he wants to enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan, what will he have to do?

He will have to enroll in Part B.

Mrs. Kumar would like her daughter, who lives in another state, to meet with you during the Annual Election Period to help her complete her enrollment in a Part D plan. She asked you when she should have her daughter plan to visit. What could you tell her?

Her daughter should come in November.

Mr. Roberts is enrolled in an MA plan. He recently suffered complications following hip replacement surgery. As a result, he has spent the last three months in Resthaven, a skilled nursing facility. Mr. Roberts is about to be discharged. What advice would you give him regarding his health coverage options?

His open enrollment period as an institutionalized individual will continue for two months after the month he moves out of the facility.

Mr. Block is currently enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan that includes drug coverage. He found a stand-alone Medicare prescription drug plan in his area that offers better coverage than that available through his MA-PD plan and in addition has a low premium. It won't cost him much more and, because he has the means to do so, he wishes to enroll in the stand-alone prescription drug plan in addition to his MA-PD plan. What should you tell him?

If Mr. Block enrolls in the stand-alone Medicare prescription drug plan, he will be disenrolled from the Medicare Advantage plan.

Mrs. Lenard is enrolled in a Medicare Cost plan. Recently the cost plan announced its intention to end its cost contract and transition to a Medicare Advantage (MA) Mrs. Lenard received a letter indicating that unless she chooses another plan or opts out she will be automatically enrolled in the new Medicare Advantage plan operated by an organization affiliated with her cost plan. What does this mean?

If Mrs. Lenard wants to enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan affiliated with her cost plan effective January 1, she should do nothing and she will be automatically enrolled. If she does not want to enroll in that MA plan, she should choose another plan or otherwise opt out of the automatic enrollment.

Mrs. Young is currently enrolled in Original Medicare (Parts A and B), but she has been working with Agent Neil Adams in the selection of a Medicare Advantage (MA) plan. It is mid-September, and Mrs. Young is going on vacation. Agent Adams is considering suggesting that he and Mrs. Young complete the application together before she leaves. He will then submit the paper application prior to the start of the annual enrollment period (AEP). What would you say If you were advising Agent Adams?

This is a bad idea. Agents are generally prohibited from soliciting or accepting an enrollment form prior to the start of the AEP.