How to Enroll in a BlueCHiP for Medicare Plan

Transcription

1 How to Enroll in a BlueCHiP for Medicare Plan Once you ve carefully reviewed the benefits of each BlueCHiP for Medicare plan and selected the one that s right for you, you can enroll any of these ways: 1 Enroll using the application provided with this guide: Mail the application to: BlueCHiP for Medicare Department Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island 500 Exchange Street, Providence, RI ; or Fax the application to (401) To avoid processing delays, please ensure that your application is filled out completely. It is very important that you sign and date the form and keep the member copy. If you are completing the application for someone else: Be sure to sign the application and note your relationship to the applicant. If you have durable power of attorney or legal guardianship for the applicant s health decisions, please enclose a copy of the legal document with the application. Your signature certifies that: You are authorized under state law to complete this enrollment, and Documentation of this authority is available upon request. Enroll by telephone: Call our enrollment line at: or TTY/TDD: 711 Hours are: October 1, 013 February 14, 014, seven days a week, 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. February 15, 014 September 30, 014, Monday Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. (continued on back page) H415_howtoenroll63 Accepted 1

2 3 4 5 Enroll online: Through BCBSRI directly at or Through the CMS Medicare Online Enrollment Center at Come to a BlueCHiP for Medicare informational event near you: Learn about your plan options and complete an application. Go to to see a listing of all events. Visit our Customer Service Walk-in Center: Located at 500 Exchange Street, Providence, RI Hours: Monday Friday, 8:00 a.m to 4:30 p.m. Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island is an HMO plan with a Medicare contract. Enrollment in Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island depends on contract renewal. 500 Exchange Street Providence, RI /13 BMDS

3 Understanding Enrollment Periods When You Can Enroll or Change Your Plan There are certain times of year when you re able to enroll in or change your Medicare plan. Just follow this simple guide. October 15 December 7, 013 January 1, 014 January 1 February 14, 014 Medicare Annual Enrollment Period This is your opportunity to look at all your plan options and choose the coverage that is best for you. Any change you make to your coverage will take effect on January 1, 014. Medicare coverage changes become effective Medicare Annual Disenrollment Period During this time, you can only switch to Original Medicare. If you do switch to Original Medicare, you can also enroll in a separate Medicare prescription drug plan. Until the next Annual Enrollment Period, you can t make any changes to your coverage, except in certain situations. If You re Enrolling for the First Time When you first become eligible for Medicare, you have a one-time opportunity to choose your coverage, called the Initial Coverage Election Period: 3 months before the month you become eligible for Medicare The Initial Coverage Election Period begins. During this time, you can enroll in any type of Medicare coverage. The month during which you become eligible for Medicare During this month, you can also enroll in any type of Medicare coverage. 3 months after the month you become eligible for Medicare The Initial Coverage Election Period ends. After this time, you will have an opportunity to change your coverage during the Medicare Annual Enrollment Period every year. Have questions or need help enrolling? Call (401) 351-BLUE (583) or toll-free BLUE (583), or TTY/TDD: 711. Hours: October 1, February 14, 014, seven days a week, 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. February 15, September 30, 014, Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. H415_understandenroll64 Accepted 1

4 Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island is an HMO plan with a Medicare contract. Enrollment in Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island depends on contract renewal. 500 Exchange Street Providence, RI /13 BMDS

5 What to Expect After You Enroll in BlueCHiP for Medicare Once you ve enrolled in a BlueCHiP for Medicare plan, you can expect to receive the following shortly after: 1 Enrollment Confirmation If you enroll by telephone or online, you will also receive a confirmation number at the end of the call or session. If you enroll by telephone, fax, mail, or in person, you will receive a confirmation letter in the mail and another letter when Medicare approves your enrollment. 3 Information about Premium Assistance If you qualify, you will receive a letter about how to get Extra Help from Medicare for your Part D prescription costs and eligibility for Medicare Savings Programs. Welcome Kit You will receive a package in the mail that contains your BlueCHiP for Medicare plan membership card and information about your benefits. Once you re a member: Get more from your plan by registering for a secure account on Sign in to access members-only discounts, programs, and health information. Ask questions and get to know other members by attending member education meetings. You ll receive a schedule of meetings in the mail. Begin using your medical and pharmacy benefits on the plan effective date noted in the enrollment confirmation letter we send to you. Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island is an HMO plan with a Medicare contract. Enrollment in Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island depends on contract renewal. H415_whattoexpect69 Accepted Exchange Street Providence, RI /13 BMDS

6 Your Enrollment and Verification Call Medicare requires Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island (BCBSRI) to contact new BlueCHiP for Medicare members by telephone to verify their enrollment within 15 days of receiving their Medicare enrollment application. You will soon receive this phone call from a representative of BCBSRI. (Please keep in mind that this representative is not a licensed insurance agent.) The representative will ask you a few questions to verify your enrollment. This phone call should only take about five minutes. Here is some helpful information about this phone call and what you can expect: The representative will first ask you some questions to ensure that the Medicare Advantage plan you ve enrolled in was clearly and thoroughly explained to you. The representative will confirm that you enrolled in the plan you chose. Your ability to enroll in the plan will not be affected by the survey. The representative will explain the seven-day cancellation policy. If you are not at home when the representative calls, he or she will send you an enrollment verification letter in the mail. Below are some important points about your BlueCHiP for Medicare plan. The representative will review these during the enrollment verification phone call: Once Medicare approves your enrollment, BCBSRI will provide your Medicare health coverage and/or prescription drug coverage (if applicable). BlueCHiP for Medicare is NOT a Medicare supplement (Medigap) plan. You will receive a plan membership card once your enrollment is approved by Medicare. You should use this card instead of your Original Medicare card when you receive healthcare services or visit the pharmacy. The plan s Summary of Benefits will help you understand the plan s premium, deductible, covered benefits, copays, and coinsurance amounts, if applicable. For additional information, refer to the Evidence of Coverage, which you will receive in your Welcome Kit. You must continue to pay your Medicare Part B premium, if it is not otherwise paid for under Medicaid or by another third party. Your plan will cover healthcare and services provided by physicians and hospitals in the BlueCHiP for Medicare network, except for emergencies. You can see providers outside the network, as long as they accept Medicare and you are willing to pay any out-of-pocket costs. (Your representative can help you check whether any of your doctors are in the plan s network.) Your representative will also review important information about prescription drug coverage, including your current medications, the plan s formulary, and more. H415_enrollver68 Accepted 1

7 Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island is an HMO plan with a Medicare contract. Enrollment in Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island depends on contract renewal. 500 Exchange Street Providence, RI /13 BMDS