The 4-1-1

I saw a quote once that stated "the single biggest problem in communication is the illusion that it has taken place."  Figuring out how to best communicate information regarding the "world of benefits" is often difficult.  I realize most of us spend many hours in our day just trying to wade our way through the countless e-mails flooding our inbox.  I know how this works all too well: a.  another e-mail about benefits, I will just open it later - as it slowly moves down the dark recesses of the inbox and into the "never to be seen or heard from again" email collection; b. you have 150 more important e-mails to read and work through, you will just look at it later; c. frankly you just don't care to see another e-mail with my name on it so you hit DELETE and smile while doing it!   Honestly, some of the information I have to share I hit the "SEND" button and then duck and cover under my desk.  See, even though I work in Benefits, doesn't mean I get extra benefits.  Darn the luck!

So, I thought I would join the world of blogging, the blogosphere so to speak.  Here, I will share as much information as I can.  See, I love quotes and another one I found read something like this: “He who knows, does not speak.  He who speaks, does not know."  What I don't want to do is "try" to share what I think I know...I want to be 100% positive about the information I disseminate. 

While on occasion I will still need to send out e-mails with important information regarding updates, plan changes, etc. - this blog will be a place where I can just share other information regarding benefits, helpful hints, etc. 

If you have suggestions on information you would like to see on the blog,  please let me know. Although I would like to tell you "I know everything" when it comes to the decision making process regarding our benefits, well I can't.  So, with that said, there may be some things you would like to see on here that I just won't be able to share.  Not necessarily because I wouldn't want to but because I don't have access to the information. 

I hope that you will find this form of communication beneficial and helpful. 

Thank you, 

Alicia Hutchins
TEES
Employee Benefits Representative
aliciahutchins@tees.tamus.edu

Medicare(less)?

There was a time in my life, many moons ago, when I scoffed at the idea of ever growing old.  I mean, seriously, I was never going to get out of my 20's.  I remember laughing at my parents when they were excited about getting the Senior Citizen discount for their coffee at McDonald's.  Now that I am several a few years removed from my 20's, I find myself preparing for Senior Citizen discounts, AARP, Life Alert and bingo. 

I'm not sure what is more painful about the word "Medicare", is it the fact that you are finally reaching the age when you are now considered "Medicare Eligible" or, is it just trying to navigate your way through the challenging world of the Medicare system?  Frankly, I find both reasons frightening and want to make me hide under the bed.

There are several parts to Medicare.  The most common and talked about are Part A and Part B.  What are these parts and what do they do for you?

Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance) helps cover:

• Inpatient care in hospitals
• Skilled nursing facility care
• Hospice care
• Home health care

Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance) helps cover:

• Services from doctors and other health care providers
• Outpatient care
• Home health care
• Durable medical equipment
• Some preventive services

While there is Medicare Part C and Part D (prescription), we won't go into details.   My head is already spinning and I have just begun this post!

So, the most important part of this post I want to cover is when should you enroll in Medicare Part A and B.  If you or your spouse are still working for the Texas A&M University System and you have health coverage through the System you may delay enrollment in Part B.  Generally, Medicare Part A is free and won't hurt you to enroll; however, Part B comes with a premium and delaying enrollment can save you some money.

While you or your spouse are still actively employed and enrolled in the A&M Care Plan, you can delay enrollment into Medicare Part B because the A&M Care Plan will remain PRIMARY.  When you enroll in Medicare Part B you will be charged a monthly premium...because the A&M Care Plan is primary there really isn't a benefit to paying the monthly premium to Medicare.

Once the policy holder of the A&M Care Plan retires and is no longer working than you must enroll in Medicare Part A and B.  At this point, once the policy holder retires, the A&M Care plan will move to secondary payer and Medicare A and B become primary. 

So to sum up all of this confusion ( or add to it!):

 

 

Until next time...keep on keepin' on!