Page 17 - Talk of Tequesta - October '23

The Talk Of Tequesta, Page 17

mediCal maTTers Commissioner’s updaTe

Medicare Corner With Kathy O Water Works

It’s Time For Medicare Annual By Commissioner Maria Marino

Enrollment Period (AEP) Oct. 15 To Dec. 7
Water, an element we
cannot live without, is
What Does This Mean benefits of Advantage Plans are most important to you; something Florida receives
To Me, What Are My dental, eye exam, glasses, gym membership, hearing a lot of, especially through
Options? aids, over-the-counter medication, etc. the summer rainy season,
Change from How Do I Decide? adding up to an annual
original Medicare to Medicare.gov offers tools for medications and all rainfall of about 4½ feet on
a Medicare Advantage plans in your area. There is an overwhelming amount average. This abundance of
Plan, change from a of information there. A licensed local agent like me water presents challenges to
Medicare Advantage can review your information and help you make an improving systems to store,
Plan back to original informed decision. filter, and send it to where it
Medicare, switch from I Am Already On An Advantage Plan I Like. Should is needed most, rather than
one Advantage Plan to I Change? letting it flow out to the ocean.
another Advantage Plan, Each year you receive the Annual Notice of Change In 1985, the U.S. Department of Interior designated the
join, drop or change Medicare drug coverage. (ANOC) for your plan which outlines the changes for northwest fork of the Loxahatchee River for inclusion in
Supplement Or Advantage Plan? the upcoming year. A free plan review will let you the Federal Wild & Scenic River system, recognizing its
Advantage Plans must cover all the medically know if other plans you previously ruled out may have essential habitats supporting a wide spectrum of ecological
necessary services that original Medicare covers. coverage that better meets your needs now or if your resources. In the decades to follow, the South Florida Water
Most plans offer extra benefits that original Medicare current plan is sufficient. Management District (SFWMD) embarked on a plan, in
doesn’t cover – like prescription drugs, dental, vision If you do not look at other plans, you may not know collaboration with local government and drainage districts to
and hearing. there is a plan with lower costs or higher benefits create additional water storage in the L-8 canal basin in order
Medicare Supplement Insurance Plans (also called than your current plan. A good point to review is the to protect and restore the Loxahatchee River. Components of
Medigap) helps fill “gaps” in original Medicare and maximum out of pocket costs in and out of network. the Lower East Coast Regional Water Supply Plan affecting
are sold by private companies to cover deductibles and This is your financial exposure. It is important to Northern Palm Beach County – including Loxahatchee River
copays. ensure a major illness will not bankrupt you. restoration – are part of the vast Comprehensive Everglades
Prescription drug coverage must be purchased Happy AEP and happy Medicare planning! Restoration Project, led by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
separately. I speak Medicare: Supplement, Drug Plan and Project goals seek to capture water flows through canals
What Do I Look For? How Do I Know What Advantage Plan. and basins to meet drinking water demands; recharge canals
Advantage Plan Is Best For Me? For your free Medicare Plan review please call me. and wells; reduce discharge to tide; treat/filter water headed
First, we review the costs of supplement and Kathy Olejniczak, agent, (561) 835-5413, cell/text to the Loxahatchee River and the Lake Worth Lagoon; and,
drug plans and look at your healthcare budget. Then (561) 212-7640. reduce flooding.
we review the Advantage Plans, are your doctors Water managers and project engineers have determined
in network and review the cost of medications you that these goals are achievable by utilizing wetlands under
take. Another consideration is which of the ancillary
Commissioner’s Update on page 18