Tony_Solem_United_Healthcare: Good morning!

Tony_Solem_United_Healthcare: The Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) runs through December 31st.

Tony_Solem_United_Healthcare: Now is the time to add Drug coverage if you do not currently have it.

Linda_: Is there a gap prescription insurance for secure horizons?

Tony_Solem_United_Healthcare: Most SecureHorizons plans do have the gap. It is best to consult a sales person at 1-800-298-8860.

Shawn_Martin: Great question Linda! Thanks for watching CBS 5 Morning News and logging on to KPHO.com

Linda_: Good to hear, will call, thank You!

AZGrandDad: With all the changes and nearing my 65th Birthday, what do I need to do to make sure I am enrolled in Medicare and receiving the right benefits?

Tony_Solem_United_Healthcare: When you first become eligible for Medicare at age 65, you'll have 3 months before you hit 65 and 3 months after to decide which plan to enroll in. A great resource to help you make sure you understand Medicare is the State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP), and you can reach them at 800-432-4040.

Leslie_E: United Healthcare is getting rid of its Evercare DP, I want to still have a PPO, I don't want an HMO, what choices do I have?

Tony_Solem_United_Healthcare: The Evercare DP is closing. If you prefer a PPO, you can find choices at the Medicare.gov website. One difference with several of our HMO plans in Arizona is that we do offer some with open access within the network (meaining you don't need a referral for a network provider), and a travel benefit called Passport. A United rep can explain them in more detail for you at 800-298-8860.

Shawn_Martin: Shawn, executive producer of CBS 5 Morning News, here. Tony is working on all of your questions. Please be patient. We'll be right with you.

NormaB: I have heard that one of the changes in the new Health Care Plan now in the Senate would do away with Medicare Advantage Plans. Is this true? It could very negatively affect millions of seniors who now have these plans.

Shawn_Martin: Norma, I'm sitting across from Tony. I asked him about your question. He says that's not true at least for now. It's currently not part of the bill as he knows it at this time. Hope that helps :)

Kewpieville: Can I join my husband's employment plan (Aetna), if I'm on United Health Medicare Complete plan? Right now Medicare pays first and then United Health care picks up second. Would this be reversed on my husband's plan?

Tony_Solem_United_Healthcare: You first should contact your husband's benefit resource at his employer. That will determine if you can be added to that plan. There are also rules about when the employer's plan is primary and when Medicare is primary and your husband's employer should be able to help with that also.

NormaB: Thanks Shawn. Maybe it is just another bit of "not true" information we are getting from those who oppose the new Health Care Plan; I certainly hope so!!

Shawn_Martin: I hope so too Norma. Thanks for writing in.

Debbie: Does United Health Care have a Medicare Advantage program, and if so, what is the monthly premium range?

Tony_Solem_United_Healthcare: UnitedHealthcare has several Medicare Advantage plans. Most are zero premium. You can find out more by calling 1-800-298-8860 or by going to securehorizons.com

Debbie: Cool! Thanks Tony. I wrote the phone number down.

Leslie_E: Sorry, maybe this is just slower than I'm used to for chatting, I refreshed, which evidently caused me to be *removed*, so now I don't know if you saw/answered my query, my apologies.

Shawn_Martin: Leslie, Tony did answer your question. Here's what he said. The Evercare DP is closing. If you prefer a PPO, you can find choices at the Medicare.gov website. One difference with several of our HMO plans in Arizona is that we do offer some with open access within the network (meaining you don't need a referral for a network provider), and a travel benefit called Passport. A United rep can explain them in more detail for you at 800-298-8860.

Terry: I'll be 65 in February, and I intend to continue working. I am inrolled in the county health plan, do I still join Medicare?

Tony_Solem_United_Healthcare: You still need to make sure you understand the options. Part B medicare (the doctor portion) is optional to you. It would be best for you to review your options, and the SHIP program can be a great resource. Call them at 800-432-4040.

Leslie_E: Shawn, yes, thanks saw that right after I re-entered.

squirt: I will be turning 65 very shortly and I intend to get a medicare supplement but all the application forms ask for my medicare number. How early can I apply for medicare and get a number so that I can apply for supplemental insurance?

Tony_Solem_United_Healthcare: I am not as familiar with the supplement insurance side; I think the SHIP office can best help you understand how quickly you can get your Medicare number. Generally, you should be able to get it up to 3 months prior to your 65th birthday.

RCURRY: My Current provider does not cover my prescriptions. Can I switch to a new provider? If so how can I find out which provider covers the medication I need?

Tony_Solem_United_Healthcare: You can switch to a plan that includes drug coverage between now and December 31st. You can see which plans cover prescriptions by going to medicare.gov.

Leslie_E: Thank you for your help Shawn & Tony.

Gene_P: My Mother is 82. Her Medigap insure is Unitedhealth group, though AARP, do I need to go though AARP? AlsoHumana is droping her for prescriptions. where do I go from here. She only has two drugs that are not generic_ namenda and Aricept. Thanks Tony_Solem_United_Healthcare: When a person has a supplement, they can also have Part D. If Humana is not offering the Part D plan, your mother can enroll in a new Part D plan. That should not affect your supplement at all.

Leslie_E: FYI: Your government issued "Medicare Number" is your social security number.

Shawn_Martin: Just about 10 minutes left to get your Medicare open enrollment questions in.

Shawn_Martin: When you submit a question, you won't see it pop up right away. Tony will answer 1st. Your question along with answer will post. Please be patient.

daltongang: my brother has APIPA and the nursing home where he is wants him to have, medicare as his primary and APIPA as his secondary. Is this a good move. He has only had APIPA since Sept.

Tony_Solem_United_Healthcare: APIPA comes in two forms: one is a Medicaid plan and one is a Medicare plan. If he is in APIPA as an AHCCCS member, your brother can have Medicare as primary, or he could be in APIPA Personal Care Plus as his Medicare primary. You'll want to compare the extra benefits under the Personal Care Plus to Medicare's to see what is best for him.

morningmomma: Thanks Leslie_E!!

mary_speiser: How do you find out if Medicare part D covers the medications I'm on?

Tony_Solem_United_Healthcare: Your Part D plan has a list of covered medicattions called a formulary. You should be able to get the list from their web site, or you can call them and request a hard copy. Additionally, the customer service should be able to tell you if a drug is covered by asking them about the specific drugs you are on.

Shawn_Martin: We'll be taking questions on Medicare open enrollment for the next 5 minutes.

NormaB: Once again Shawn....many thanks for this live chat. It was extremely hellpful to many folks in the CBS5 Morning News family!!! We hope you continue these types of chats.

Shawn_Martin: No problem Norma. Thanks for watching and stopping by!

mary_speiser: I don't have a part D plan yet... So who do I call for the plan and to find out if my meds are covered before I activate the plan?

Tony_Solem_United_Healthcare: You can get a Part D plan from UnitedHealthcare at 800-298-8860. You can get a list of all Part D plans by going to medicare.gov. You can ask each plan for their list of covered drugs. With United, you can go to securehorizons.com for more assistance on drug coverage.

Shawn_Martin: Still time for a couple of last minute questions. A minute and a half left.

bombay: My husband is on Medicare A & B, lives in a rural AZ town, is only 39, has physical and psychological disabilities. We does not qualify for Medicare part D because I make too much money. I added him to my healthcare plan so he could get prescription coverage. Do you have a planthtat will cover him in a small rural AZ town to include Medicare A,B and prescriptions?

Tony_Solem_United_Healthcare: If your husband is on Medicare A&B, he is eligible for Part D also. He should be able to add a Part D plan between now and December 31st by enrolling. You should call 800-298-8860 to get more information on the availability of a MedicareAdvantage plan that would also include Part D.

Shawn_Martin: Mary, I forwarded your last question to Tony. He's going to give a response, but yours will be the last question this morning.

Shawn_Martin: Thanks for taking part in our webchat this morning. We appreciate you getting involved. We'll be doing these more often on a wide variety of topics. Have a great day.

mary_speiser: Last year I went to medicare part D for help to see if they covered any of my meds and they didn't, so my question is do they have more drugs being covered this year?

Tony_Solem_United_Healthcare: The covered drugs (formulary) can change for each plan from year to year. So it may be beneficial to call your plan again and check. They may also offer the formulary on their web site.

Shawn_Martin: Thanks everybody again. We're going to wrap here. This is new territory for us on the morning news. Based on the response, we'll be doing it more often. Tony says if you have more questions, you can check out medicare.gov, call the local SHIP office (800-432-4040)