when should you call acentra health?

• If you are not ready to be discharged from the hospital.
• If your Medicare skilled services are ending too soon. Examples of skilled services include things like physical therapy and nursing services.
• If you have a concern about the quality of care you received.
• If you have a concern about your medical care that needs to be taken care of right away.

To learn more about our free services, you can watch a video or read more on our Overview of Services for People who Have Medicare page on our website.

Click on the button below for the phone number for your state. These services are free for people who have Medicare. 

Telephone Numbers

october is health literacy month

Personal health literacy is your ability to find, understand, and use information and services to help you make health-related decisions.

Your health literacy is important because the more you know, the easier it is for you to be involved with your health care.

Visit our Health Literacy page for helpful tips.

it's time for medicare open enrollment!

This is an important time for people who have Medicare because it gives you the chance to review and make changes to your current Medicare coverage.

You can’t switch your Medicare plan whenever you want. Instead, there are specific periods when you’re allowed to make changes. The times to make changes are during the Initial Enrollment Period, Medicare’s Open Enrollment, and Medicare Advantage’s Open Enrollment.

The Initial Enrollment Period (if you’re new to Medicare) starts three months before you get Medicare and ends three months after you get Medicare. This can occur outside the usual enrollment period, as it depends on other factors, such as when you turn 65.

Medicare Open Enrollment is from October 15 through December 7.

During this time, you can:

1. Join, drop, or switch to another Medicare Advantage Plan (or add or drop drug coverage).
2. Switch from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage Plan or from a Medicare Advantage Plan to Original Medicare.
3. Join, drop, or switch to another Medicare drug plan if you’re in Original Medicare.

Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment is from January 1 through March 31.

During this period, you can:

1. Switch to another Medicare Advantage Plan with or without drug coverage.
2. Drop your Medicare Advantage Plan and return to Original Medicare. You'll also be able to join a separate Medicare drug plan.

why is medicare open enrollment important?

Medicare health and drug plans can make changes each year—things like cost, coverage, and what providers (such as hospitals and doctor’s offices) and pharmacies are in their networks.

How Do You Know If You Need to Change Your Plan?

You should always review the materials sent to you about your plan. If you have a Medicare Advantage Plan or a stand-alone Part D plan, read your plan’s Annual Notice of Change (ANOC) and/or Evidence of Coverage (EOC).

Even if you’re happy with your current health and drug coverage, the Medicare Open Enrollment period is the time to review what you have, compare it with other options, and make sure that your current coverage still meets your needs for the coming year.

Here are a few key reasons why Open Enrollment is so important:

1. Plans Change Every Year. Medicare Advantage and Part D plans can change their premiums, co-pays, drug coverage, and doctor networks each year. 
2. Your Health Needs Might Change. If you’ve started taking new medications or seeing new doctors, your current plan might not be the best option anymore.
3. You Can Save Money. By reviewing your options during Open Enrollment, you may be able to find a plan that costs less or offers better coverage for the same price.
4. You Can Avoid Penalties. If you don’t have drug coverage and need to sign up for a Part D plan, doing so during Open Enrollment will help you avoid late enrollment penalties.

Of course, if you think that your current plan will meet your needs for next year and it’s still being offered, you don’t need to do anything.

For more information about Medicare Open Enrollment and things you should think about, visit our Medicare Open Enrollment page.

medicare & you, the official u.s. government medicare handbook

did you receive the new medicare handbook?

The "Medicare & You" handbook is your official guide to Medicare. If you have Medicare, you should have received an updated printed handbook in the mail last month (in September).

Page 2 has information about what’s new this year to help you manage your health.

Here is a summary of some of the changes:

• Lowering your prescription drug costs. Because of President Biden's new prescription drug law, in 2025, your yearly out-of-pocket drug costs will be capped at $2,000.
• Managing your mental health and wellbeing. Medicare covers expanded mental health care. During your yearly “Wellness” visit, your healthcare provider can also use a health risk assessment to better understand your needs and refer you for appropriate services.
• More resources for caregivers. Medicare covers additional caregiver support, like training, that helps your caregiver better care for you.
• Postal Service Health Benefits Program. Starting January 1, 2025, U.S. Postal Service employees, retirees, and their families will get coverage through a new benefits program instead of through the Federal Employee Health Benefits program.

Please take these changes into consideration as you think about what plan is best for you during this year’s Medicare Open Enrollment period.

Publication No. R146810-87-9/2024. This material was prepared by Acentra Health, a Medicare Quality Improvement Organization under contract with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The contents presented do not necessarily reflect CMS policy.