National Medicare Education Week Events Helped Thousands Learn About Medicare

During National Medicare Education Week 2012, UnitedHealthcare and Care Improvement Plus hosted educational events in more than 50 cities across the country.

At the events, local UnitedHealthcare and Care Improvement Plus representatives presented the basics of Medicare and critical information beneficiaries should know to help them find the coverage that's best for them. Following the presentation, attendees participated in a question and answer session with a local representative.

The events also included an educational workshop about online resources that can help Medicare beneficiaries and their family caregivers learn more about Medicare. The workshops offered attendees the chance to learn how to use popular social media tools such as Facebook to stay connected with friends and family. The Care Improvement Plus workshops also explored online resources for healthy living and management of chronic conditions such as diabetes.

To watch a recording of one of the 2012 events, visit the Medicare Made Clear page on Facebook. There you'll find an "app", or tab, all about National Medicare Education Week. Click on the app to watch "video chapters" from one of the events.

We're excited for the second annual National Medicare Education Week. Check back in summer 2013 for details about the 2013 events.

National Medicare Education Week

Helping to make Medicare
choices easier.


UnitedHealthcare created National Medicare Education Week in 2012 to inspire and encourage baby boomers, Medicare beneficiaries, their families and caregivers to become educated about their Medicare health care options. The inaugural National Medicare Education Week occurred Sept. 15-22, 2012. By creating an official week dedicated to Medicare education, UnitedHealthcare and Care Improvement Plus worked to rally millions of Americans to spend time learning about Medicare so they would be prepared to find coverage that's a good fit for their health needs and budget.

Questions? To learn more about National Medicare Education Week, contact Medicare Made Clear at 1-877-630-8721, TTY 711, 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. local time, 7 days a week.



Confused about Medicare?
You are not alone.

In fact, you've got lots of company. Medicare is complex, and research has shown that many people find the program to be confusing.1 In 2011, UnitedHealthcare partnered with the National Council on Aging to survey adults aged 60 and older. We found that most survey respondents described Medicare as confusing or said they didn't understand the program at all.

That's one of the main reasons we created National Medicare Education Week. UnitedHealthcare and Care Improvement Plus are committed to helping people understand Medicare.

Another big reason? The number of people enrolled in Medicare is set to skyrocket. Every day, about 10,000 baby boomers turn 65 and become eligible for Medicare.2 That's one every eight seconds. As the Medicare population grows, the number of people in need of clear, easy-to-understand information about the program will grow as well. National Medicare Education Week is one way we're helping to meet the increasing demand for Medicare information.

1 August 2011, NCOA.org
2 U.S. Census Bureau


Medicare Education Checklist


Learning about Medicare shouldn't be limited to just one week of the year. Taking the time to review your coverage options and stay informed about Medicare may help you feel better prepared to make confident health care decisions during the Medicare Open Enrollment Period (Oct. 15-Dec. 7). Use this checklist to help you learn more about Medicare.

Start with the Basics: Mastering the basics of the Medicare program and terms will help you feel prepared to find the coverage that's right for you. Check out the Learn about Medicare page, watch the Medicare Overview video or review some terms in the Glossary to learn more.
Ask the Right Questions: Medicare isn't one-size-fits-all. You have lots of options as you're deciding which coverage is right for you. But those options can sometimes feel overwhelming. Make it easier by starting with some key questions that will help you understand your needs. Visiting the Review your Health and Budget Needs page is a good place to start.
Prepare: You have an opportunity to make changes to your Medicare coverage each year during the Open Enrollment Period (Oct. 15-Dec. 7). Be ready to make decisions about your coverage options. Visit the Coverage Examples page to see how four Medicare beneficiaries chose their plans. Or watch the videos about Medicare Parts A, B, C and D as well as Medicare supplement insurance to get ready to make your choices.
"Virtually" Attend an Educational Event: UnitedHealthcare and Care Improvement Plus held educational events in more than 50 cities during National Medicare Education Week 2012. If you weren't able to attend one of the events, you can still participate...virtually. Visit our National Medicare Education Week Facebook page to view videos and photos from an education event that was held during National Medicare Education Week..
Go Straight to the Source: You can call Medicare 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227; TTY 1-877-486-2048) to speak with a representative who can answer your questions or send you the Medicare and You handbook. You can also connect with Medicare online at Medicare.gov.
Read a Medicare Guide: You can order or download a Medicare Made Clear guide. Download the guide here, or call 1-877-630-8721, TTY 711, from 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. local time, 7 days a week, to request that a copy be mailed to you.
Get Your Questions Answered: Visit your local State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) office to speak with a representative who can answer your questions and help you understand your health care choices.
Be a Resource: UnitedHealthcare, Care Improvement Plus, AARP, Ameriprise Financial and the National Family Caregivers Association encourage you to think about friends and loved ones such as parents, grandparents and neighbors, and the role you can play in helping them with their health care coverage decisions. Spend some time with your loved one and have important conversations about his or her Medicare coverage.


RESOURCES


  1. Explore a variety of helpful tools such as an enrollment checklist and quizzes on MedicareMadeClear.com.
  2. Visit your local State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) office and speak with a counselor who can answer your questions and help you understand your health care choices.
  3. Call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227; TTY 1-877-486-2048), 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to speak with a representative about general Medicare information.
  4. Visit your local Social Security office for help with questions about Medicare eligibility and enrollment or about Social Security retirement and disability benefits. Or call 1-800-772-1213, TTY 1-800-325-0778, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., Monday through Friday.
  5. If you're a caregiver for a Medicare beneficiary, check out helpful information from the National Family Caregivers Association (NFCA) at TheFamilyCaregiver.org. NFCA educates, supports, empowers and speaks up for the more than 65 million Americans who care for loved ones with a chronic illness, a disability, or the frailties of old age.
  6. Connect with your local Administration on Aging for help in finding local, state and community-based organizations that serve older adults and their caregivers. Call 1-800-677-1116, TTY 711, between 9 a.m. and 8 p.m. EST, Monday through Friday. Or go to Eldercare.gov.
  7. AARP® provides information about Medicare and other programs for seniors. Visit AARP.org to find educational materials and to order publications.
  8. Health care expenses are likely to increase during retirement, so planning ahead and being well-informed about health care options is important for a confident financial future. During National Medicare Education Week, Ameriprise Financial encourages all older adults to learn more about Medicare so they can find the coverage that will help them enjoy a confident retirement. To learn more about Ameriprise Financial, visit Ameriprise.com.

Our Partners

UnitedHealthcare created National Medicare Education Week with the support of Care Improvement Plus, AARP, Ameriprise Financial and the National Family Caregivers Association (NFCA) to encourage Medicare beneficiaries as well as their caregivers and family members to learn more about Medicare.

Family caregivers play an important role in many Medicare beneficiaries' lives. Among their many duties, caregivers often help their care recipient navigate the health care system and understand their Medicare coverage options. With National Medicare Education Week, UnitedHealthcare, Care Improvement Plus and the NFCA hope to make the job of being a caregiver a bit easier by helping caregivers develop a better understanding of the Medicare program.

Proud Supporters of 2012 National Medicare Education Week