SCAN Health Plan Helps Provide Needed Education for People Transitioning from a Covered California Plan to Medicare

LONG BEACH, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–#Medicare–SCAN Health Plan is working with California Health Advocates to help
people who are turning 65 avoid financial penalties for failing to make
timely healthcare coverage decisions. These efforts are focused on
educating individuals who are insured through a Covered California plan
and will soon become eligible for Medicare.

“As people with a Covered California plan turn 65 and become eligible
for Medicare, we are finding that many are not aware of what actions
they may need to take,” said Elaine Wong Eakin, executive director of
California Health Advocates. “So many continue with their Covered
California plan and face penalties later. Unfortunately, there is
currently no formal communication to these individuals – from their plan
or from Medicare – letting them know the important steps they need to
take.”

Through a sponsorship by SCAN, California Health Advocates has developed
a four-part series of articles entitled “What
to Do if You Have a Covered California Plan and Become Eligible for
Medicare.” In addition, California Health Advocates recently offered
a webinar entitled “Are
You Transitioning From Covered California to Medicare?” The
materials are available online on their website and answer such commonly
asked questions as:

• Must I enroll in Medicare if I have a Covered California plan?
• What happens to my tax credits when I become eligible for Medicare?
• If I have MAGI Medi-Cal, will my costs go up when I enroll in Medicare?

“We were dismayed to learn that some seniors were being hit with
financial penalties that could have easily been avoided had they had the
proper information in a timely fashion,” said SCAN’s Lisbeth Roberts,
who oversees the company’s team of Senior Advocates—members who work
part-time for SCAN, advocating on behalf of their fellow members. “There
are many options for Medicare beneficiaries. Our goal is to make sure
people have the information they need to make the right decisions that
fit their budget and benefit needs and to help them avoid unnecessary
penalties.”

Individuals with further questions regarding transitioning from a
Covered California plan to Medicare are encouraged to contact the Health
Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program (HICAP) at 1-800-434-0222.
HICAP provides community education on Medicare and related healthcare
coverage.

SCAN also works year-round to help consumers understand basic Medicare
options through informal “Coffee Chats.” SCAN is currently hosting
Coffee Chats in Los Angeles, Marin, Orange and Sonoma counties. Coffee
Chats are part of SCAN’s community service to educate the community
about Medicare and support the work of other reputable organizations
that do similar work. To schedule a Coffee Chat, local organizations
should call 562-997-3170.

SCAN is one of the nation’s largest not-for-profit Medicare Advantage
plans currently serving approximately 170,000 members, including many
dual-eligible individuals, throughout California. Further information
about SCAN may be obtained at scanhealthplan.com
or on Facebook at facebook.com/scanhealthplan.

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Contacts

for SCAN Health Plan
Michelle Hokr
818-597-8453, x-5
michelle@kevinross.net