It is open enrollment season for health care, and experts say it’s important to make sure people are getting their information from trusted sources. Open enrollment has started for Oregon Medicare recipients, and it will begin on November 1st for those shopping on the Affordable Care Act marketplace.
Rodney Schroeder, community services and supports unit manager, Oregon Department of Human Services, said there are no major changes in the process for Medicare this year. But, he added, there is no reason to go it alone.
“Use the resources that are online, and by all means, if there are questions, don’t hesitate to stop and then reach out to somebody for some help,” he said. “Our folks will provide non-biased, just factual information.”
Oregon Senior Health Insurance Benefits Assistance, or SHIBA, is a network of about 100 volunteers across the state that offer free support applying for Medicare. People can reach them online at SHIBA dot Oregon dot gov. The Medicare Annual Enrollment Period ends on December 7th. A recent survey found that 43% of people regret a health decision they’ve made because of misleading information.
Dr. Rhonda Randall, chief medical officer, UnitedHealthcare Employer & Individual, urged Oregonians to be vigilant against scams and false claims.
“You want to make sure that you’re checking the source that you’re getting your information from a credentialed medical professional or a reputable organization, look to see if they’ve included links to research,” she said.
Randall recommended that no matter the situation, people start the enrollment process early to give themselves enough time to make an informed decision.
By Isobel Charle, Public News Service
