If the time has come for you to start your coverage under Medicare, we thought you might like to get acquainted with a few fun facts and trends about your fellows here in Arkansas.
- More than three-quarters of Arkansas beneficiaries (more than half a million!) are enrolled in Original Medicare, with the other quarter enrolled in Medicare Advantage or another type of coverage.
- If you, as an Arkansas resident, have Medicare, you have access to a Medicare Advantage plan.
- If you are enrolled in Medicare prescription drug coverage, you also have access to Part D coverage.
The entire issue of Medicare can be a bit confusing—even more than a bit, due to all your different coverage options—and we here at M&P Insurance can help you get a handle on understanding it all. There are also a number of state resources that provide information and assistance on the various types of Medicare coverage available.
What Do I Need to Know about Medicare?
When it comes to Arkansas Medicare resources, one of the largest is, of course, the Division of Aging and Adult Services of the DHS. This is the state government office that provides a variety of resources and services protection to Arkansas seniors and disabled individuals, including Medicare beneficiaries. There are numerous articles and links available on their website on all Medicare-related subjects, such as respite and home care services, avoiding Medicare fraud, dealing with claims errors, elder abuse, and many free educational workshops. There are also trained volunteers to help you specifically here in Arkansas.
Another option for information is the Arkansas Medicaid program, which provides financial assistance to eligible seniors and Medicare beneficiaries with limited income and assets. Here you can also find out if you are eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid coverage; their website provides numerous resources to help beneficiaries with dual eligibility coordinate their benefits. You can find out if you qualify by checking their criteria information, and what types of benefits are covered through this program. This is also the state department which oversees the Arkansas Medicare Savings Program. This program assists eligible beneficiaries with health care coverage costs like premiums, copayments, deductibles, and the like. Another wonderful aspect to this department is their State Health Insurance Counseling and Assistance Program, giving beneficiaries free, unbiased, counseling.
A very important part of the Medicare beneficiary protection package here in Arkansas is the state’s Legal Services Partnership, consisting of both the Center for Arkansas Legal Services, and Legal Aid of Arkansas. They provide free legal assistance to low-income Arkansas residents to help with information, fraud, eligibility guidelines, and many other legal issues. On their website is the HelpLine’s phone number, where you can gain valuable free legal assistance should you meet the income eligibility criteria.
While there is, of course, all the information about Medicare and Medicaid contained on the Social Security Administration’s website under the subheading Medicare (https://www.ssa.gov/benefits/medicare/), it can get to be extremely confusing. We are here to help you figure it all out!
If you’re ready to begin Medicare, or are seeking information for the future, give us a call here at M&P Insurance to help you wade through all the information so you can make informed choices about eligibility, packages, supplements, etc. We know Arkansas and look forward to helping you! Call us at (870) 523-6771, or come on in for a chat at 105 Laurel Street in Newport.
