Medicare 101: Open Enrollment
Our Senior Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP) counselors are working to prepare Medicare beneficiaries for the open enrollment period that begins October 15. It’s critical that your health care plan meets your needs and budget. Medicare beneficiaries can receive free, unbiased guidance from our counselors when reviewing their coverage options and benefits. Before making changes to existing coverage, it’s important to make sure your health care providers are a part of the plan’s network.
Medicare beneficiaries are also urged to protect their personal information.
- Do not engage with unsolicited callers who want to talk with you about Medicare.
- Do not give unsolicited callers your name, your Medicare identification number or your Social Security number. Scammers could use this information to make changes to your plan without your knowledge.
- If you do get an unsolicited call about Medicare, ask the caller for their name and license number, then call Medicare or call our SHIIP program to report what you experienced.
- If you discover that your plan has been switched without your knowledge, call the Louisiana Department of Insurance SHIIP program so that we can ask Medicare to change it back.
If you have questions about Medicare, you can call SHIIP at 800-259-5300 or the Senior Medicare Patrol.
Consumer Alert: Cybersecurity
October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month and a time to share consumer protection tips. Identity theft occurs when a person uses your information to commit fraud or unlawful activity.
Using your social security number or date of birth, someone may open new credit card or bank account in your name, and even take out a loan using your personal information. Affected consumers can help protect themselves with identity theft insurance—or by using safeguards provided by an impacted company. Here are a few quick tips:
- Monitor your accounts
- Request a credit report
- Check your policy
- Consider identity theft insurance
A Note from Consumer Advocacy
In the earliest days of our nation, neighbors regularly gathered to discuss the issues that concerned them all. This practice quickly evolved into more organized civic associations, which continue today throughout Louisiana and across the country. With quiet dedication, they played and continue to play a vital role in this ‘great experiment’ called democracy.
One such civic group is the Waggaman Civic Association in Jefferson Parish. This group’s members have made a remarkable commitment to the betterment of their community. On Wednesday, September 7, I was a guest speaker at their monthly meeting. It was standing room only with at least 60 people in attendance. There may have been even more, but I was distracted by the impressive refreshments, including a chocolate cake to celebrate members’ birthdays from the previous month.
Members took full advantage of the opportunity to question me, the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office, Councilman Byron Lee, and other speakers on many topics. I always appreciate the opportunity to meet with concerned citizens and help address the issues we face together. Thank you to Waggaman Civic Association President Landry Camardelle for running the meeting and allowing extra time to answer all the attendees’ questions.
I sincerely appreciated the opportunity to speak to such an engaged audience. We are available to speak at community events across the state, so please reach out and let us know if we can be of assistance.
Ron Camarota
Office of Consumer Advocacy
Upcoming Events
Medicare Presentation 2023
Who: LDI SHIIP and Cajun Area Agency on Aging
Date: Oct. 4, 2022
Time: 5:30 p.m.
Location: South Regional Library
6101 Johnston St., Lafayette
Register Here: ldi.la.gov/SHIIPevent
Welcome to Medicare
Who: LDI SHIIP and Caddo Council on Aging
Date: Oct. 11, 2022
Time: 11 a.m.
Location: Caddo Parish Library - Broadmoor Branch
1212 Captain Shreve Dr., Shreveport
Business Building Blocks Workshop
Date: Oct. 19, 2022
Time: 10 a.m.
Location: Virtual Via Zoom
Register Here:
ldi.la.gov/buildingblocks
View Louisiana's Open Meetings Law on the legislative website by clicking here.
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