By Trish Pearson
Insure Your Future
Trish Pearson
Many of my clients have reached out concerning phone calls they received from people claiming to represent Medicare. They warn that there are changes coming to Medicare and you should be prepared. For what? It’s not clear.
These are calls designed to get you to engage in a conversation which could result in a change to your current coverage. Unfortunately, this is the way that predatory agents can engage with Medicare beneficiaries. Let’s be clear: there are no changes to Medicare or the Affordable Care Act that will impact 2025. The calls and emails may imply that changes are imminent, but this is not true. Never provide personal information over the phone. The purpose of the call is to collect information to use in the fall during open enrollment.
There are other calls that imply that you are not benefiting from all the services from which you are entitled. These callers are “phishing” for potential clients. The benefits to which they refer are income restricted, for which most people do not qualify. However, again they want your contact information which they will store for future use.
Questions about extra benefits should be directed to your agent or the Connecticut Department of Social Services. They can advise as to what if any additional benefits you might be eligible for. The internet provides a large amount of demographic information, so it is easy to be put on a list that companies purchase for marketing purposes.
There have also been many news reports about Medicaid being changed or reduced. Again, nothing has been approved that will impact 2025. It is up to the state legislature to fund a portion of the costs that Medicare does not cover through the Medicaid appropriation. That amount is based on the percentage that the federal government covers.
If this is of concern to you or a family member, now is the time to let your elected officials know. Do not hesitate to call or email your state representative and let them know that these programs are important. At the end of the day, it is government’s job to help taxpayers maintain a “reasonable” lifestyle. It is a partnership between the government and the private citizen.
What is the insurance company’s role in all this? To make money. They are financial institutions like banks, only they make money on expectations as opposed to a bank that profits off of your money.
Trish Pearson is a licensed independent insurance agent and certified long term care specialist. Contact her at 203-640-5969 or trishpearson281@gmail.com.