Administration on Aging | |
The Older Americans Act of 1965 established the AoA, which is an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Its mission is to develop a comprehensive, coordinated and cost-effective system of long-term care that helps elderly individuals to maintain their dignity in their homes and communities. |
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advocate | |
A person who gives you support or protects your rights. |
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AEP or Annual Election Period / Annual Open Enrollment Period / Annual Coordinated Election Period | |
The annual enrollment period (AEP or Annual Coordinated Election Period / Annual Open Enrollment Period) begins on October 15th and continues through December 7th.
During the AEP, Medicare beneficiaries can add, change, or drop their Medicare Part D or Medicare Advantage plan coverage. Changes in Medicare plan coverage during the
AEP will take effect on January 1st. After the close of the AEP, most people will only have a limited opportunity to change their Medicare Part D or Medicare Advantage
plan coverage until the next AEP or Open Enrollment Period. Please note: Based on Medicare’s usage, we also use the term annual Open Enrollment Period (OEP)
interchangeably with AEP (Annual Enrollment Period or Annual Coordinated Election Period). However, when you are enrolling in a Medicare plan, you may see "AEP"
as an enrollment period option meaning the annual Open Enrollment Period. If you are enrolling between October 15th and December 7th, you will want to select AEP on your
enrollment application as the enrollment period. Terms related to AEP include:
IEP,
MA-OEP, and
SEP. |
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annual notice of change | |
This is a notice provided by the insurance company that explains which benefits have changed and how they have changed for the upcoming plan year. It is a notice required by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). |
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appeal | |
An appeal is a special kind of complaint you can make if the plan declines to cover prescription drugs you want or refuses to pay for drugs you've already received. You can also appeal if your plan decides to stop covering drugs you're currently receiving. There is a specific process you and your prescription drug plan must use when you appeal one of its decisions. |
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assets | |
Property you own that the government may review when you apply for assistance. For help with the costs of a Medicare prescription drug plan, the government counts cash or any property that can be turned into cash within 20 days. This includes checking and savings accounts, certificates of deposit, IRAs and 401(k) plans, stocks, bonds, and similar items. It does not include your primary home, or certain property related to burial expenses. |
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authorized representative | |
The person you designate to assist or handle affairs related to your health care services. This may be someone you designate as a Power of Attorney, a family member, friend, caregiver, or it may be an advocate you assign to assist with an exception, appeal or grievance. |