Common Medicare mistakes Arizona residents should avoid

Dr. Leo Odle from Optum Arizona joined a discussion with host and managing editor of “Arizona Horizon” Ted Simons to talk about Medicare mistakes often made by Arizona residents.

About 1.5 million residents in Arizona are currently enrolled in Medicare. The annual enrollment period for Medicare runs from October 15 through December 7, 2024.

There are five mistakes that those who are eligible to enroll in Medicare often make:

1. Allowing your automatic plan renewal to make your choice for you
   • “The problem with that is that your healthcare might’ve changed year-to-year,” Odle said. “That same plan that you were in this year, might not be appropriate next year.”
2. Ignoring your plan’s Annual Notice of Change (ANOC)
   • “The insurance companies will change what they are gonna cover, and their benefits, and their general conditions of their plan every year,” Odle said, “…you need to read that.”
3. Basing your plan choice on premium alone
   • “You need to look at you as an individual and what you’re needs are,” Odle said, “…talk to an insurance specialist, and advisor.”
4. Picking a plan because your spouse, relative or friend has it
   • “You can have different plans because you are different people,” Odle said.
5. Assuming you will not qualify for help with Medicare costs

According to Dr. Odle, some Medicare recipients ignore their current plan’s Annual Notice of Change which details any cost increase or changes to their current plan. Another mistake is that some assume they don’t qualify for help with Medicare costs when they do qualify.