Deadline approaches for Medicare options

An opportunity to customize Medicare benefits for 2026 ends Sunday, Dec. 7, and if you miss the deadline, you will likely have to wait a full year before you can make a change to your plan.
Dr. Mehmet Oz, administrator for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, has been on a national media campaign spreading the news, explaining that it might be in your best interest to visit medicare.gov now, before the open enrollment deadline, if you’re 65 years or older, to be eligible.
On Fox news, Oz said there are many companies touting themselves with the best plan.
“Compare. Use our website for information. Chat with a real life operator on our site, who will be concerned with your needs,” he said.
“So many changes to some of those services when it comes to Medicare. What’s on the horizon? What comes? Recommendation ideas on medication and their pricing.
“It’s a vibrant, healthy program offering all kinds of life-changing services. It’s hard to give it to you and one of the ways you should take ownership of it is to sign up on medicare.gov, if you haven’t already,” Oz said.
Meanwhile, a nationwide helpmate comprised of caregiving advocates is hoping Medicare Advantage plans don’t disappear in Louisiana.
Medicare Advantage Majority, a 501 (c) 4 organization, is dedicated to strengthening the Medicare Advantage program for 34 million American seniors and people with disabilities who depend on it, according to its website, medicareadvantagemajority.org/
Examples of Medicare Advantage Plans include HMOs (Health Maintenance Organizations) and PPOs (Preferred Provider Organizations).
HMOs offer lower premiums and out-of-pocket costs, but require you to use doctors and hospitals within the plans network, unless it’s an emergency.
PPOs offer more flexibility, allowing you to see specialists without a referral and to go out-of-network for care, although it may cost more, according to an AI overview.
Darren Grubb, a spokesman for Medicare Advantage Majority, believes the safety and reliability of this program is important, as its crucial for seniors who have paid into Medicare while they were employed.
“Medicare and Medicare Advantage is the program one looks forward to at the age of 65 or older, to help them in their retirement,” he said.
He explained Medicare expectations as the culmination of having paid into a system your entire career through every paycheck, with the hope of accruing health benefits from the money you have put into the program.
Grubb said there are more than 540,000 seniors in Louisiana enrolled in a Medicare program, and of that amount, 56% choose a Medicare Advantage program.
He said seniors choose a Medicare Advantage plan because of cost savings. They get services that go deeper than just Medicare Part A or B plans. Medicare Advantage offers vision and dental screenings, as well as help with transportation and other out-of-pocket costs. He explained this is especially important to seniors who have multiple chronic conditions.
“It’s also important because a Medicare Advantage Plan can help reduce their out-of-pocket costs in premiums and co-pays for the seniors and those who assist with their care.”