14 The QUEE NS Courier • health • OCTOBER 6, 2016 for breaking news visit www.qns.com ▶health Take advantage of stable premiums for Medicare program Medicare Advantage premiums are expected to remain stable even as the number of enrolles are projected to increase to an all-time high, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced recently. CMS estimates that the average Medicare Advantage monthly premium will decrease by $1.19 (about 4 percent) in 2017, from $32.59 on average in 2016 to $31.40. This would be 13 percent lower than the average Medicare Advantage premium prior to passage of the Affordable Care Act. The majority of Medicare Advantage enrollees (67 percent) will experience no premium increase. “Medicare Advantage and the prescription drug benefit continue to be a great option for seniors and people living with disabilities,” said Andy Slavitt, CMS acting administrator. “Medicare enrollees will continue to have access to predictable premiums and highquality care.” Access to the Medicare Advantage program will remain strong, with 99 percent of Medicare beneficiaries having access to a Medicare health plan. In addition, in 2017, more Medicare Advantage plans will offer more supplemental benefits for enrollees, such as dental, vision and hearing benefits. Enrollment is projected to increase to 18.5 million enrollees next year, a 60 percent increase from 2010. In 2017, 32 percent of all Medicare enrollees will be in a Medicare Advantage plan compared to only 24 percent in 2010. Average premiums in the Medicare Part D prescription drug program will also remain stable, and beneficiaries have saved billions on prescription drugs. In July 2016, CMS announced that the a v e r a g e basic premium for a Medicare prescription drug plan in 2017 is projected to be an estimated $34 per month. Today’s projections show that access to a prescription drug plan will remain strong in 2017, with 100 percent access to a plan in the individual market and improved access to employer plans. Because of the Affordable Care Act, people with Medicare are seeing reduced costs through both savings on covered brand-name and generic drugs and access to certain preventive services with no cost sharing. Since the enactment of the Affordable Care Act through July 2016, more than 11 million seniors and people with disabilities have received savings and discounts in the coverage gap of over $23.5 billion on prescription drugs, an average of $2,127 per beneficiary thanks to the law. Medicare Open Enrollment for 2017 Medicare health and drug plans begins on Oct. 15, 2016 and ends on Dec. 7, 2016. Plan costs and covered benefits can change from year to year. Medicare beneficiaries should look at their coverage choices and decide what options best meet their needs. Beneficiaries can visit Medicare.gov (http:// www.medicare.gov), call 1-800-MEDICARE, or contact their State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP). Beneficiaries who are satisfied with their current coverage do not need to do anything. We’re here for your call. Toll Free 1.866.586.8044 TTY/TDD 1.800.662.1220 Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug Plans • Dental, vision and hearing • Transportation • Over-the-counter pre-paid cards • Fitness center membership or low cost Plan premiums Doctor visits Generic drugs $0 Contact us for eligibility and enrollment [email protected] | agewellnewyork.com AgeWell New York, LLC is a HMO plan with a Medicare contract and a Coordination of Benefits Agreement with New York State Department of Health. Enrollment in AgeWell New York, LLC depends on contract renewal. This information is not a complete description of benefits. Contact the plan for more information. Limitations, copayments, and restrictions may apply. Benefits, premiums and/or co-payments/co-insurance may change on Januar y 1 of each year. You must continue to pay your Medicare Part B premium. Premiums, co-pays, co-insurance, and deductibles may vary based on the level of Extra Help you receive. Please contact the plan for further details. This plan is available to anyone who has both Medical Assistance from the State and Medicare. This information is available for free in other languages. Please call customer service at 1-866-586-8044 or TTY 1-800-662-1220 seven days a week from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm Eastern Time or visit www.agewellnewyork.com. AgeWell New York complies with applicable Federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate on the basis of races, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex. AgeWell New York cumple con las leyes federales de derechos civiles aplicables y no discrimina por motivos de raza, color, nacionalidad, edad, discapacidad o sexo. AgeWell New York 遵守適用的聯邦民權法律規定，不因種族、膚色、民族血 統、年齡、殘障或 別而歧視任何人。ATTENTION: If you do not speak English, language assistance services, free of charge, are available to you. Call 1-866-586-8044 (TTY: 1-800-662-1220). ATENCIÓN: si habla español, tiene a su disposición servicios gratuitos de asistencia lingüística. Llame al 1-866-586-8044 (TTY: 1-800-662-1220). 注意：如果您使用繁體中文，您可以免費獲得語言援助服務。請致電 1-866-586-8044 (TTY: 1-800-662-1220). H4922_MA_4002 Accepted 09102016
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