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Medicare enrollees can evaluate, change plans in SC

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Thursday, October 24, 2024   

It is the time of year when people eligible for Medicare can shop around and make sure they are signed up for the health coverage that makes the most sense for them.

Open enrollment for Medicare runs through Dec. 7, an important date for about 22% of South Carolinians who are on the plan.

Dr. Rhonda Randall, chief medical officer and executive vice president of UnitedHealthcare Employer and Individual, said plans can change from year to year and evaluating any changes is important.

"You want to consider are your current benefit plans still meeting your health care needs and your budget needs and has anything changed with your plan," Randall recommended. "For example, is your doctor still in the plan? Is the medication you take still covered by the plan?"

The South Carolina Department on Aging provides assistance to people as they navigate the Medicare open enrollment period through its State Health Insurance Assistance Program.

Randall said Medicare enrollees should also consider Advantage Plans.

"Things like dental, vision and hearing; many Medicare beneficiaries might be surprised to know that original Medicare doesn't cover most of those things, but many Medicare Advantage Plans do," Randall explained. "I also recommend people to check for mental health coverage."

About 43% of South Carolinians on Medicare have advantage plans. UnitedHealthcare also offers an online guide for navigating Medicare.

Open enrollment dates vary for other types of health plans, but people with employer-sponsored coverage typically select a plan between September and December. Open enrollment for plans on the Health Insurance Marketplace runs from Nov. 1 to Jan. 15 in South Carolina.

Disclosure: UnitedHealthcare contributes to our fund for reporting on Health Issues. If you would like to help support news in the public interest, click here.


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