TCOG Benefits Counselors Prepare for Medicare Open Enrollment Period

Free, personalized Medicare Counseling from October 15 through December 7, 2021

SHERMAN, OCTOBER 14, 2021 – TCOG’s State-Certified Benefits Counselors are ready to assist Cooke, Fannin and Grayson County residents in the upcoming Medicare Annual Enrollment Period (AEP). Personalized assistance will be available starting tomorrow, October 15 through December 7, 2021, at no cost to you.

“Medicare Open Enrollment is a time for any individual with Medicare to compare insurance plans to make sure they have the right coverage for the upcoming year,” stated TCOG’s executive director, Eric Bridges. “Our Area Agency on Aging counselors are available to give free, personalized Medicare counseling and assist in the selection of the best medical and prescription plan coverage.”

Medicare health and drug plans can make changes to costs and coverage, as well as their list of in-network providers each year. TCOG’s Area Agency on Aging (AAA) Benefits Counselors are equipped to evaluate healthcare plans to find individuals better coverage with higher quality at a lower cost.

“It is important for Medicare Beneficiaries to check coverage costs and compare with a few other plans to ensure their choice best fits their medical and prescription needs,” stated Sheila Vaughn, one of TCOG’s benefits counseling specialists. “For most Medicare Beneficiaries, this is the only time of year to make these changes.”

Bridges noted that any changes made during this time are not effective until January 1, 2022.

In addition to providing one-on-one counseling, our Benefits Counselors are able to help with other services such as Advanced Directives, appeals for denied benefits and the evaluation of Social Security Benefits. They can also check to see if you qualify for Medicare Extra Help Programs.

If you are a Medicare Beneficiary, we encourage you to call our AAA office to schedule a free, personal assessment to evaluate your specific medical insurance needs.

Before deciding on a Medicare plan for 2022, discuss your options with one of our State-Certified Benefits Counselors. To schedule an appointment, call (903) 813-3505 or toll-free (800) 677-8264.

The Texoma Council of Governments is a voluntary association of the local governments in Cooke, Fannin, and Grayson Counties. Established in 1968, the Texoma Council of Governments promotes economy and efficiency in the coordinated planning and development of the tri-county region through its community and economic development activities. Either directly, or through contractors, the Council provides housing, utility assistance, and weatherization services for low-income citizens in the region and assists the elderly through a variety of Area Agency on Aging programs. The Council also facilitates the delivery of grant funding for homeland security and criminal justice.

Benefits Counselors at TCOG Ready for Medicare Open Enrollment

Free, personalized Medicare Counseling from October 15 through December 7, 2020

SHERMAN, OCTOBER 7, 2020 – TCOG’s Area Agency on Aging’s (AAA) State-Certified Benefits Counselors are ready to assist Medicare Beneficiaries in comparing insurance plans to ensure the health and prescription drug coverage is the best plan for each individual during Medicare Open Enrollment, according to an announcement by TCOG officials made today. This assistance is available for all residents in Cooke, Fannin and Grayson counties from October 15 through December 7, 2020.

“Medicare Open Enrollment is the time of the year when ALL people with Medicare can compare insurance plans to make sure they have the right medical and prescription drug coverage for the next year,” stated TCOG’s executive director, Eric Bridges. “An individual can elect to remain with their current plan or look for a new plan with better coverage, higher quality, and lower costs.”

Medicare health and drug plans can make changes each year including things like cost, coverage, and even the list of providers and pharmacies in their networks. Benefits Counselors are equipped to evaluate current healthcare plans and compare to available health plans to find individuals better coverage, higher quality and lower costs. Plans may also offer services such as nutrition services, in-home supports and home modifications to certain members with chronic conditions. Changes made during this open enrollment period will become effective January 1, 2021. In reviewing a current Medicare health or prescription drug plan, an individual needs to ensure the plan will still meet their medical needs for the following year.

During the Open Enrollment Period, an individual may choose to: switch from Original Medicare to Medicare Advantage; from one Medicare Advantage plan to another; from one Medicare Part D (prescription drug) plan to another or drop Medicare Part D coverage altogether. If an individual did not enroll in a Medicare Part D plan when first eligible, they may do so during this time of Open Enrollment.

If you are a Medicare Beneficiary, we encourage you to call our AAA office to schedule a free personal assessment to evaluate your specific medical insurance needs. We can also check to see if you qualify for Medicare Extra Help Programs.

Our Benefits Counselors are able to assist with other services such as Advanced Directives, appeals for denied benefits, Social Security Benefits evaluation and provide one-on-one counseling.

Before you make a decision on your Medicare Plan for 2021, review your options by receiving personalized Medicare counseling at no cost to you. Call us today to schedule a time to speak with a State certified Benefits Counselor: (903) 813-3505 option 1 or call 800-677-8264 or email jhunt@tcog.com.

The Texoma Council of Governments is a voluntary association of the local governments in Cooke, Fannin, and Grayson counties. Established in 1968, Texoma Council of Governments promotes economy and efficiency in the coordinated planning and development of the tri-county region through its community and economic development activities. Both directly and through contractors, the Council provides housing, utility assistance, and weatherization services for low-income citizens in the region and assists the elderly through a variety of Area Agency on Aging programs. The Council also facilitates the delivery of grant funding for homeland security and criminal justice.

Benefits Counselors Ready at TCOG for Medicare Open Enrollment

Free, personalized Medicare Counseling from October 15 through December 7, 2019

SHERMAN, OCTOBER 14, 2019 – TCOG officials have announced they have ramped up their availability to assist residents throughout Cooke, Fannin and Grayson counties for the upcoming Medicare Annual Enrollment Period (AEP), which begins tomorrow, October 15, and runs through December 7, 2019.

TCOG’s Area Agency on Aging of Texoma (AAA) has State Certified Benefits Counselors on staff ready to help compare insurance plans to ensure you have the right health and prescription drug coverage. You may review and stay with your current plan or look for a new plan with better coverage, higher quality and lower costs.

“It is important to note that any changes made during this time will not become effective until January 1, 2020,” states TCOG Executive Director, Eric Bridges. “However, new plans in 2020 are allowed to offer even more services for certain members with chronic conditions, including nutrition services, in-home supports, and home modifications.”

There are now more factors involved in deciding if you need to change plans. Judy Conner, the director of the Area Agency on Aging of Texoma, recommends to review the information about your current plan if you are already in a Medicare health or prescription drug plan in order to ensure it will still meet your medical needs next year.

Conner noted, “One question you should ask yourself is if you were prescribed a new medication during the year, does your old plan cover that medication? If not, you may need to find another plan that cover all your medications.”

During the Annual Enrollment Period, you can also switch from: Original Medicare to Medicare Advantage; from one Medicare Advantage plan to another; from one Medicare Part D (prescription drug) plan to another; or elect to drop your Medicare Part D coverage altogether. If you did not enroll in a Medicare Part D plan when you were first eligible, you may do so during this time of Open Enrollment.

Bridges adds, “If you are a Medicare Beneficiary, we encourage you to call the Area Agency on Aging of Texoma to schedule a free, personal appointment for an evaluation of your specific medical insurance needs.”

During that appointment, your situation will also be assessed to see if you qualify for Medicare Extra Help Programs. Other services available through the Benefits Counseling Program at TCOG (with offices located in Sherman, Bonham and Gainesville) throughout the year include assistance with Advanced Directives, appeals for denied benefits, Social Security Benefits evaluation and one-on-one Benefits counseling.

Before making a decision on your Medicare Plan for 2020, review your options by receiving personalized Medicare counseling from the Area Agency on Aging of Texoma at TCOG – at no cost to you. If you would like to learn more, you are encouraged to call (903) 813-3505 or toll-free (800) 677-8264.

The Texoma Council of Governments is a voluntary association of the local governments in Cooke, Fannin, and Grayson counties. Established in 1968, Texoma Council of Governments promotes economy and efficiency in the coordinated planning and development of the tri-county region through its community and economic development activities. Both directly and through contractors, the Council provides housing, utility assistance, and weatherization services for low-income citizens in the region and assists the elderly through a variety of Area Agency on Aging programs. The Council also facilitates the delivery of grant funding for homeland security and criminal justice.

TCOG Readies Benefits Counselors for Medicare Open Enrollment

SHERMAN, OCTOBER 12, 2018 – TCOG officials have announced they are preparing to ramp up their availability to assist Medicare recipients throughout Cooke, Fannin and Grayson counties for the upcoming Medicare Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) which spans from October 15 – December 7.

“AEP is the time of year when ALL people with Medicare can compare insurance plans to make sure they have the right health and prescription drug coverage for the next year,” stated Judy Conner, director of the Area Agency on Aging of Texoma. “A person can choose to stay with their current plan or look for a new plan with better coverage, higher quality and lower costs.”

If a person does switch to a new plan, the new coverage will begin January 1, 2019. Officials also stated that it is important to remember that if a person makes the choice to continue with their current plan, any changes to coverage under that plan or any cost increase will also begin at the start of the new year.

Changes to various aspects of Medicare coverage can include:

• Switching from Original Medicare to Medicare Advantage or from one Advantage Plan to another;
• Switching from one Medicare Part D plan (prescription drug) to another; and
• Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act – MIPPA, which helps identify eligibility for extra help programs.

“Become better informed of the available choices before making a decision on a Medicare plan for 2019,” urged TCOG Executive Director Eric Bridges, adding, “Area Agency on Aging counselors are available to give free, personalized Medicare counseling and assist in the selection of the best plan that will meet medical and prescription needs for each individual.”

The Texoma Council of Governments is a voluntary association of the local governments in Cooke, Fannin, and Grayson counties. Established in 1968, Texoma Council of Governments promotes economy and efficiency in the coordinated planning and development of the tri-county region through its community and economic development activities. Both directly and through contractors, the Council provides housing, utility assistance, and weatherization services for low-income citizens in the region and assists the elderly through a variety of Area Agency on Aging programs. The Council also facilitates the delivery of grant funding for homeland security and criminal justice.