Page 20 avy n v y y Dear Considering, Be very leery of the Medicare Advantage ads on TV, radio, social media and that come in the mail. While many of these ads may tout free vision, hearing, dental and other benefi ts with zero monthly premiums, they aren’t always what they claim to be. Advantage Basics Medicare Advantage or MA plans (also known as Medicare Part C) are government approved health plans sold by private insurance companies that you can choose in place of original Medicare. The vast majority of Advantage plans are managed-care policies such as HMOs or PPOs that require you to get your care within a network of doctors in a geographic area. You can sign up for one of them during open-enrollment season from Oct. 15 through Dec. 7. MA plans have exploded in popularity in recent years as insurers have fl ooded the airways with advertisements, often by celebrity pitchmen, that promote low-cost options with lots of extra benefi ts. But be aware that the Federal government has deemed many claims in MA ads fraudulent and misleading. Some ads imply that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services endorses or prefers a specifi c plan. Others promise more cost savings than you really get. And if you choose the wrong plan, your doctor may not be a member of that plan’s network, or you may end up paying out-of-pocket for medically necessary care. This past September, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services began cracking down on these ads, but you still need to practice self-defense. Here are some tips to help you make a good decision. Cover your needs: When evaluating MA plans, make sure the one’s you’re considering cover the doctors you like and the health care facilities you normally go to. Also, make sure all of the prescription medications you take are on the drug plan’s formulary. To help you compare plans, a good fi rst step is to call the offi ce managers of the doctors you use and fi nd out which Advantage plans they accept, and which ones they recommend. Then go to the Medicare Plan Finder tool at Medicare.gov/plan-compare to compare plans in your area. Understand the details: Some MA plans promote no monthly premiums, but the reality is that you are still responsible for your original Medicare costs including your Part B premium and deductibles and copays for covered services. Moreover, you may have to pay more out-of-pocket if you see a doctor outside the network. Also, if the plan is an HMO, it generally doesn’t cover non-emergency care out of network, so an individual may be responsible for full costs. A PPO on the other hand, allows people to go out of network, but they generally have to pay more to do so. Do some digging: Many MA plans tout free vision, hearing and dental benefi ts that are not covered by traditional Medicare, but these benefi ts are often limited. For example, a plan that off ers free dental coverage may cover only cleanings and x-rays. Extensive procedures such as root canals or caps may not be covered, or the plan may limit the dollar amount it pays. Find out the coverage details so you’re not surprised later. Get help: Reach out to your local State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) at ShipHelp.org or call 877-839-2775. These are nonprofi t programs that provide unbiased one-on-one Medicare counseling and assistance. You can also report any misleading MA claims to the Senior Medicare Patrol Resource Center at SMPResource.org or by calling 800-447-8477. Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior.org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of “Th e Savvy Senior” book. avvyavvy S oravvy S ioreniioor io iori by Jim Miller Misleading Medicare Advantage Ads: What to Look Out For Dear Savvy Senior, I’m currently enrolled in original Medicare but have been thinking about switching to a Medicare Advantage plan during the open enrollment period. Many of the Medicare Advantage ads I’ve seen off er lots of extra benefi ts beyond what traditional Medicare off ers and no monthly premiums. What are your thoughts? Considering a Switch THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, November 10, 2023 MUSINGS | FROM PAGE 6 (Grasso) Marquardo for celebrating 50 years as a Malden Public School employee! That’s what I’m talking about! Jeanne bleeds Blue & Gold; her love of Malden is self-evident. She may fl y under the radar but her impact over the past 50 years has been felt throughout this great city of ours! All the best, Jeanne! • I wholeheartedly agree with lifelong Maldonian Kevin Larson and his assessment of the new Devir Park memorial to his beloved brother, Eddie. It looks wonderful! Eddie was a friend to many, many people and he is sorely missed every single day. • Speaking of Devir Park, look for the original (1920’s?) “City of Malden John M. Devir DPW” sign to make a reappearance City of Malden Community Preservation Committee Monthly Meeting and Public Hearing Agenda Wednesday, November 15, 2023, 6:00 PM Monthly Meeting and Public Hearing Agenda Hybrid City Hall Room #105 (in-person) Live streamed via Zoom (virtual) On March 29, 2023, Governor Healey signed legislation extending certain COVID-19 relief measures including extending remote meetings for public bodies. The same provisions which permitted public bodies to meet remotely, or convene in a hybrid manner, have been extended through March 31, 2025. This extension allows public bodies to continue to meet remotely or to meet in a hybrid manner, without a quorum of the public body physically present at a meeting location. The law requires that a public body provide “adequate, alternative” access to remote meetings. Additional information/guidelines for the public can be found here: https://www. mass.gov/service-details/updated-guidance-on-holding-meetings-pursuantto-the-act-extending-certain-covid-19-measures. Members of the public who wish to attend remotely can do so using the following information: https://cityofmalden.zoom.us/j/94555285228 Webinar ID: 945 5528 5228 Or join by phone from the US: +1 646 518 9805 or +1 929 436 2866 If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, please contact Maria Luise, ADA Compliance Coordinator at mluise@cityofmalden.org or 781-397-7000, Ext 2005 Agenda 1. Call to Order/ Roll Call 2. Public Hearing a. 0013_Linden Rink b. 0015_Oak Grove Community Building c. 0018_15 Ferry Street 3. Adjournment of Public Hearing and Start of CPC Monthly Meeting 4. Approval of Meeting Minutes from October 2023 5. Status on Ongoing Projects 6. Other Business 7. Adjournment of CPC Monthly Meeting Public Comment Period on Projects Open Now – Nov 28, 2023 Malden CPC invites members of the public to submit comments on projects by attending the Public Hearing to testify in person, or to share written comments via the survey which can be accessed via this hyperlink or the QR code below: https://forms.gle/fgZbgJhLZedeipNx9 November 03, 10, 2023 after a 63-year absence. As Peter Falk’s iconic TV character Columbo would say, “Just one more thing, sir” – he’s the man responsible for fast tracking the demolition of “The Beast That Ate Pleasant Street” (not to be confused with the “Beast That Ate Maplewood Square”!). He’s artfully survived the rabid anti “blue bag” zealots nipping at his heels for years now! He’s the man responsible for the number one ranked citizen’s engagement tool in the whole country (SeeClickFix). Hotly debated if that is even a good thing! He’s the man that has adroitly guided Malden into the 21st century using skills fi rst acquired as an employee at Granada Lanes as a guidepost for success. He’s the man who can speak to the many diverse citizens of Malden, in their native tongues no less. (He can even go into the Italian American Citizens’ Club in Edgeworth and speak their language!) Heck, he’s even the mayor comfortable tossing a bocce ball in a suit coat! He’s also the mayor – whom some folks speculate – may be the most photographed human, ever! I kid, of course. He’s the mayor with nary a gray hair on his head, a great sense of humor, a keen intellect and a compassionate heart. And he’s all ours for the next four years! Way to go, Gary! Fuhgeddaboudit!!! —Peter is a longtime Malden resident and a regular contributor to The Malden Advocate. He can be reached at PeteL39@aol. com for comments, compliments or criticisms.
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