Medicare Open Enrollment: Aetna's Dr. Ulises Perez Offers Guidance on Picking the Best Plan

Medicare’s annual open enrollment period gives beneficiaries a chance to review their health coverage, compare plan choices, and make sure their benefits still match both medical and financial needs. With the enrollment window set for October 15 through December 7, it is a good time to decide whether a current plan remains the best option for the year ahead.

Dr. Ulises Perez, Executive Medical Director for Medicare Corporate Community Care and Medicare Clinical Integration at Aetna, spoke with Studio 17 about what beneficiaries should keep in mind when weighing Medicare coverage options.

For people who are new to Medicare, one of the first things to understand is the difference between Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage. Original Medicare includes Part A, which generally covers inpatient hospital care, and Part B, which covers doctor visits, outpatient services, diagnostic testing, and certain home health services.

Medicare Advantage plans offer another way to receive Medicare benefits through private insurers. Depending on the plan, they may also include prescription drug coverage and extra benefits such as dental, vision, and hearing services.

Perez noted that Medicare Advantage benefits can also support healthy aging. Preventive care, prescription drug coverage, and fitness perks, including programs like SilverSneakers when offered by a plan, can help beneficiaries focus not only on living longer but also on preserving quality of life.

During annual enrollment, Perez urged beneficiaries to ask several key questions when comparing plans:

• Does the plan fit my budget? Look at monthly premiums, deductibles, copayments, coinsurance, and possible out-of-pocket costs.
• Are my doctors and hospitals in the network? Make sure preferred providers and facilities are included.
• Are my prescriptions covered? Review drug coverage and consider how medication costs will affect the overall budget.
• Do the benefits meet my current needs? Examine the available coverage and extra benefits in light of changing health priorities and lifestyle needs.

Since medications, healthcare needs, and financial circumstances can shift from year to year, reviewing coverage each year can help beneficiaries make better-informed decisions instead of simply staying with the same plan automatically.

For more information, beneficiaries can visit Medicare.gov and enter their ZIP code to see the Medicare options available in their area. Those interested in Aetna’s Medicare plans can also visit AetnaMedicare.com to learn more.

Perez’s message was straightforward: selecting the right coverage should be a top priority during annual enrollment. Comparing costs, providers, prescription coverage, and benefits before the December 7 deadline can help beneficiaries choose a plan that better fits their individual needs.

Learn more at Medicare.gov or AetnaMedicare.com.