Those receiving Medicaid or Medicare may be able to maximize their benefits with an Insurance Education Event at the OACAC Barry County Neighborhood Center.
On Oct. 19, beginning at 10 a.m., Keren Corey, and independent insurance agent will be hosting an event to help those who qualify find the best benefits.
“I volunteer at the Barry County OACAC once a month,” she said. “This is the first ever event like this that we have done though. We are trying to get the word out that this information is a resource in Barry County.”
Corey says she works with a team of eight agents from Oregon County to Newton and Jasper counties.
“We are all licensed for all carriers in our market,” she said. “We are client-focused. We work to combine benefits for clients who have Medicare and Medicaid.
“If someone makes less than $1,000, we help them get programs that will get them extra money, up to $200 for things like groceries, and other necessities. Starting next year, that will include utilities.”
Corey said this is a huge gamechanger.
“Medicare is for those who are aged 65 and up, the blind, and those with certain disabilities,” she said. “Medicaid is for those who meet certain income levels.
“For the first time ever, if someone has partial Medicaid, there will be special Medicare programs to help them with costs for co-pays and coverage for surgeries.” There is no appointment need for the Insurance Education Event on Oct. 19. “We will have snack and drinks available,” Corey said. “We will start off with a seminar style presentation, then move on to a Q&A and one-onone assistance.”
Corey got into the insurance industry a bit over a year ago, but she had experience taking care of her grandmother for more than 5 years. “This Mission has always been important to me,” she said. “I meet people everyday who think they have everything they are eligible for — 99 percent of the time they are
wrong.” Corey said things are constantly changing. “If you haven’t looked at things this week, you can’t have the best there is to offer,” she said. “Whether it is me or someone else, my advice is to speak with a real human being. Someone who is held accountable for your coverage. I see people getting scared way too often, whether it be from 800 numbers or t.v. ads.” Corey said the open enrollment period is from Oct. 15 to Dec. 7. “This is the time to get ready for the next year,” she said. “At the event, I will touch on three different categories of Medicare benefits and also set appointments to review benefits and programs for those that might be interested one on one.”
The three main categories are:
• Medicare Advantage versus Medicare Supplemental, and what is the difference?
• I don’t pay the Part B Premium. What else am I eligible for?
• I have Medicare and full Medicaid, why should I get an Advantage plan? What Benefits is it? What is changing? “Between these categories, I will be able to touch on what the changes are for anyone on Medicare but be specific enough so that they are able to get something out of the event,” Corey said.
For more information people may call Corey at 417-830-0608.
