Medicare sign-ups: How to prepare for 2017 changes and avoid scams

Locally, thousands of seniors are expected to lose their current Medicare prescription drug or health plans under tentative changes announced for 2017.

News Story (California)

Claudia Buck
Sacramento Bee
October 10, 2016
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Tags: Health Care, Seniors

Organizations mentioned/involved: Legal Services of Northern California (LSNC)


DETAILS

“We are already getting calls from folks who got the notices that their plan is ending. They’re somewhat panicked,” said Mariko Nakabayashi, acting managing attorney for the Health Insurance Counseling & Advocacy Program office in Sacramento, which provides free, year-round counseling for Medicare patients.

Although final numbers will not be released until mid-October, Medicare officials say a number of current Part D prescription drug plans and Medicare Advantage plans are exiting the California market, starting in January. More than 11,700 seniors in Sacramento, Placer and Yolo counties who have Medicare Advantage plans are likely to be affected, according to Nakabayashi.

A number of Part D prescription drug plans also are disappearing next year.