Do Your Parents Have Medicare? 5 Ways to Help Them During Annual Enrollment
This article isn't written only for people who have Medicare.
It's also written for their adult children.
If your parents have Medicare, you have probably heard them talk about Medicare Advantage, Part D, copays, provider networks, prescription drugs, or additional benefits.
And it is completely understandable if all of that sometimes feels complicated.
The Medicare Annual Enrollment Period, from October 15 through December 7, is a good opportunity to sit down with your parents and help them review their coverage for the upcoming year.
1. Ask Whether They Received Information From Their Plan
Medicare plans send members information about changes for the upcoming year.
Don't let those documents automatically end up in a drawer.
Take some time to review them together, particularly information describing changes in costs, benefits, prescription drug coverage, and provider networks.
2. Make a List of Their Doctors
Ask your parents:
Who is your primary care physician?
Which specialists do you regularly see?
Which hospitals or healthcare systems do you prefer?
Having this information available will be important when reviewing provider networks for the plans they are considering.
3. Review All of Their Medications
Prepare an updated list of prescription medications, including dosage and frequency.
Prescription drug coverage and costs can vary among plans, and formularies can change from year to year.
This is one reason reviewing coverage annually can be important.
4. Ask What Worked — and What Didn't
This conversation may be even more useful than immediately starting to compare plans.
Did they have difficulty seeing a specialist?
Did a medical service cost more than expected?
Did they experience problems filling a prescription?
Are they satisfied with their current coverage?
Their answers can help identify which features deserve the most attention when reviewing options for the upcoming year.
5. Don't Make the Decision for Them — Help Them Understand It
Helping our parents does not mean choosing their health coverage for them.
It means helping them understand their options so they can make an informed decision based on their own healthcare needs and preferences.
And if they need professional assistance understanding those choices, they can seek guidance from a licensed insurance agent.
We Can Help in English or Spanish
At IV Vierma, we understand that Medicare can sometimes feel complicated.
Our goal is to explain available options in clear, understandable language so each person can make an informed decision based on their individual needs.
📲 Do your parents need help reviewing their Medicare coverage for the upcoming year? Let's talk before December 7.
Not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. government or the federal Medicare program. This content is for educational purposes only. Plan availability, eligibility, costs, and benefits vary by location and individual circumstances.
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