There are dozens of insurance companies offering Medicare insurance and to further complicate matters, healthcare providers do not accept all Medicare plans.
Steve Lineberry, General Manager of Emory Healthcare Network Advantage, and Chuck Chaput, Executive Vice President, Medicare Compare USA, are here to explain the Medicare Insurance Helpline; a free and unbiased resource for comparing and enrolling in Medicare plans accepted by Emory Healthcare providers.
Medicare Resources Available at Emory Healthcare
Guest
: Steve Lineberry & Chuck Chaput
From the Show: Emory Healthcare Consumer
Transcription:
Bill Klaproth (Host): Medicare can be very confusing but there is help and her to talk about the Medicare resources available at Emory Healthcare, is Steve Lineberry, General Manager of Emory Healthcare Network Advantage and Chuck Chaput, Executive Vice President Medicare Compare USA.
Steve and Chuck, thank you for your time today. Chuck, I’m going to direct this one at you first as I talked about Medicare can be very confusing. So, what do people struggle with the most when it comes to Medicare?
Chuck Chaput (Guest): I would say Bill that the biggest challenge that people often say is the most overwhelming is choosing the Medicare plan that best fits their specific needs and preferences. There are literally dozens of Medicare plans in the marketplace in any part of the United States. So, in greater Atlanta, there are dozens of Advantage supplement plans as well as prescription drug plans. So, it’s sorting through all of those different options to find the plan that best meets their needs, that all their healthcare providers accept and will provide them the coverage at the lowest out of pocket cost. So, that’s generally the most challenging overwhelming part of Medicare.
Bill: Alright, that’s very good and then Steve, let me ask you this. There are a lot of different plans and a lot of different options but one of them is to really pay attention to your health so as you become Medicare eligible; taking a preventative approach to your health is really important. So, can you tell us about the Healthy Start Program?
Steve Lineberry (Guest): Yeah. So, as people turn 65 and the patients that choose a Medicare Advantage plan and that have an Emory physician we have put in place some additional resources for them in the form of coordinated care centers. We ask that for those patients, we think it’s important that they get an annual physical exam. We call it a Healthy Start and we make those care centers available for those exams. It’s like an executive physical. That’s usually a patient’s entry point into the additional resources we have here at Emory for Medicare Advantage patients. And these centers work closely with their primary care physician to coordinate patient care. They are designed to make getting care easier for the patient and designed to coordinate their care with the primary care provider and other providers in the system. It’s a way that we can individualize attention and provide additional resources and programs to improve health outcomes and quality of life.
Bill: Steve, would you recommend that to most people or everyone go through the Healthy Start Program?
Steve: Yes, for all Medicare Advantage patients which I sort of the qualifier for them to receive the Healthy Start visit, those that have an Emory primary care physician we would recommend that they get a Healthy Start once annually. When you turn 65, it’s important that you keep up with your health and how you’re changing over time and the best way to do that is to get an annual checkup. This is again, it’s a head to toe assessment, much like an executive physical where we are focused on understanding the patient, really from a physical standpoint, but we also get into their social determinants to health and really try to understand what’s driving their healthcare needs.
Through the Healthy Start we are really focused on whether the patient is stable or if they have some instability in their healthcare condition and their degree of complexity. We are offering resources to the patient over time to get them better if they have a chronic disease. Some of the things we focus on are CHF or CKD. We focus on behavioral health, COPD, diabetes management and get into things like fall prevention, hypertension and podiatry. So, there’s quite a bit that we can do in these coordinated care centers and all of that starts with a Healthy Start exam, really to understand what’s going on with each individual patient and to tailor a program to their needs.
Bill: So, besides the Medicare benefits of the Healthy Start program; it sounds like there is real health benefits too and really getting that checkup and understanding where your health is and that’s so important as you become Medicare eligible. Is that right?
Steve: That’s right and slowing the decline of health is very, very important and keeping on top of those conditions if you have them. Most people over 65, will have at least one chronic condition and our focus is really not just understanding the patient through the Healthy Start but then what we do about it over time. Again, we are working very closely with the patient’s primary care physician but some of these patients they have multiple chronic diseases they need additional help and take a diabetic with an A1C over 9 for example; that’s a very difficult condition to control. And so, through the Emory coordinated care centers; these additional resources we have made available we are able to help patients really work on their diet, exercise, talk with them about how to manage diabetes and how to get them back under that level 9 so that they are feeling better and their diabetes is managed and that really prevents other conditions that could come from having uncontrolled diabetes. So, just through the example, that might take several months with a patient to try to address and then of course we want to work with each patient to make sure that their conditions are addressed over time and perpetuity.
Bill: And Steve, how do people enroll or sign up for the Healthy Start Program?
Steve: Well, it’s fairly simple. They can ask their Emory Primary Care physician about it and they can actually schedule them for a Healthy Start directly and their primary care office. They could also call one o four care centers. We have one in Stockbridge, Georgia, the number is 404-251-1980, again 404-251-1980 and we have one in Decatur, Georgia. The number there is 404-251-1950, again 404-251-1950 for the Decatur care center. And it’s as simple as stating who their primary care physician is and saying that they would like to get a Healthy Start and we can arrange it.
Bill: That’s terrific. And Chuck can you tell us about the Medicare insurance help line and Medicare Compare USA?
Chuck: Absolutely. So, the company that I work directly with is Medicare Compare USA. We are an independent insurance agency and a call center that works hand in hand with healthcare systems throughout the United States and in the greater Atlanta area, we work very closely with Emory Healthcare. When a patient contacts the help line, we immediately recognize them as a patient of Emory Health and we get them connected to the resources that best meet their needs. So, for example; we can get them connected to a Medicare advocate who can help them understand Medicare eligibility related questions, we can schedule a private consultation with an agent in their home or at a local convenient location to review the Medicare plans that are accepted by Emory including all of those Advantage plans that Steve referenced that provide access to the care coordination centers at Emory. We can also get the patient connected with a telephone – an agent by telephone if that’s of interest to them and then we can also help them identify a prescription drug plan that covers all of their medications a the lowest out of pocket cost as well as assistance during the Medicare annual enrollment period which runs October through December 7th. So, if that patient wants to compare available options and understand what their available options would be for the next calendar year; we can help them do those plan comparisons and then lastly, on Emory’s website, there is the ability for patients to register their email address so that they can receive periodic email updates from Emory regarding any changes that are taking place regarding Emory and their contracted Medicare plan relationships. And so, all of that is accessible through the Medicare insurance helpline which is offered at toll free 855-256-1501 or right on the Emory website at www.emoryhealthcare.org/medicare .
Bill: Really good information and speaking of the different plans and options available I think this is important to note Emory Healthcare accepts most Medicare Advantage plans offered in the area. Why is that an important piece of the puzzle?
Steve: It’s very important because for patients who want to keep their Emory physician when they are turning into 65 or that want the Emory primary care physician to take advantage of what is arguably the best especially in tertiary care center in the country and at least in the southeast; it’s important that they choose an Emory physician and so at Emory, we have contracted with most of the primary care – or most of the Medicare Advantage payors in the market and the reason we want to do that is we want to offer those benefits to as many patients as we can. We think we deliver fantastic care here and the only way to ensure that patients receive that care is to include as many payors as we can in our contracting and to work with those so that patients have choices.
Bill: Very good and Chuck any final thoughts from you on that?
Chuck: No, I totally echo what Steve mentioned. The sheer number of Medicare Advantage plans that Emory works with is probably the most extensive network of plans that any of the healthcare systems I work with nationally accepts. So, patients at Emory, have more options available to them than just about any market that I’m aware of and so of course again the challenge is finding that right fit for that person’s needs and preferences; but they have more choices available than any other market I’m aware of. So, it’s an outstanding program that Emory has put together.
Bill: Well Steve and Chuck, you guys are terrific. Thank you so much for your time today and this being a podcast, if you need those numbers that Steve and Chuck gave out earlier just hit the rewind button, they will be right there for you and for more information please visit www.emoryhealthcare.org/medicare . You are going to find a whole suite of information there. That’s www.emoryhealthcare.org/medicare. You’re listening to Advancing Your Health with Emory Healthcare. I’m Bill Klaproth. Thanks for listening.
Bill Klaproth (Host): Medicare can be very confusing but there is help and her to talk about the Medicare resources available at Emory Healthcare, is Steve Lineberry, General Manager of Emory Healthcare Network Advantage and Chuck Chaput, Executive Vice President Medicare Compare USA.
Steve and Chuck, thank you for your time today. Chuck, I’m going to direct this one at you first as I talked about Medicare can be very confusing. So, what do people struggle with the most when it comes to Medicare?
Chuck Chaput (Guest): I would say Bill that the biggest challenge that people often say is the most overwhelming is choosing the Medicare plan that best fits their specific needs and preferences. There are literally dozens of Medicare plans in the marketplace in any part of the United States. So, in greater Atlanta, there are dozens of Advantage supplement plans as well as prescription drug plans. So, it’s sorting through all of those different options to find the plan that best meets their needs, that all their healthcare providers accept and will provide them the coverage at the lowest out of pocket cost. So, that’s generally the most challenging overwhelming part of Medicare.
Bill: Alright, that’s very good and then Steve, let me ask you this. There are a lot of different plans and a lot of different options but one of them is to really pay attention to your health so as you become Medicare eligible; taking a preventative approach to your health is really important. So, can you tell us about the Healthy Start Program?
Steve Lineberry (Guest): Yeah. So, as people turn 65 and the patients that choose a Medicare Advantage plan and that have an Emory physician we have put in place some additional resources for them in the form of coordinated care centers. We ask that for those patients, we think it’s important that they get an annual physical exam. We call it a Healthy Start and we make those care centers available for those exams. It’s like an executive physical. That’s usually a patient’s entry point into the additional resources we have here at Emory for Medicare Advantage patients. And these centers work closely with their primary care physician to coordinate patient care. They are designed to make getting care easier for the patient and designed to coordinate their care with the primary care provider and other providers in the system. It’s a way that we can individualize attention and provide additional resources and programs to improve health outcomes and quality of life.
Bill: Steve, would you recommend that to most people or everyone go through the Healthy Start Program?
Steve: Yes, for all Medicare Advantage patients which I sort of the qualifier for them to receive the Healthy Start visit, those that have an Emory primary care physician we would recommend that they get a Healthy Start once annually. When you turn 65, it’s important that you keep up with your health and how you’re changing over time and the best way to do that is to get an annual checkup. This is again, it’s a head to toe assessment, much like an executive physical where we are focused on understanding the patient, really from a physical standpoint, but we also get into their social determinants to health and really try to understand what’s driving their healthcare needs.
Through the Healthy Start we are really focused on whether the patient is stable or if they have some instability in their healthcare condition and their degree of complexity. We are offering resources to the patient over time to get them better if they have a chronic disease. Some of the things we focus on are CHF or CKD. We focus on behavioral health, COPD, diabetes management and get into things like fall prevention, hypertension and podiatry. So, there’s quite a bit that we can do in these coordinated care centers and all of that starts with a Healthy Start exam, really to understand what’s going on with each individual patient and to tailor a program to their needs.
Bill: So, besides the Medicare benefits of the Healthy Start program; it sounds like there is real health benefits too and really getting that checkup and understanding where your health is and that’s so important as you become Medicare eligible. Is that right?
Steve: That’s right and slowing the decline of health is very, very important and keeping on top of those conditions if you have them. Most people over 65, will have at least one chronic condition and our focus is really not just understanding the patient through the Healthy Start but then what we do about it over time. Again, we are working very closely with the patient’s primary care physician but some of these patients they have multiple chronic diseases they need additional help and take a diabetic with an A1C over 9 for example; that’s a very difficult condition to control. And so, through the Emory coordinated care centers; these additional resources we have made available we are able to help patients really work on their diet, exercise, talk with them about how to manage diabetes and how to get them back under that level 9 so that they are feeling better and their diabetes is managed and that really prevents other conditions that could come from having uncontrolled diabetes. So, just through the example, that might take several months with a patient to try to address and then of course we want to work with each patient to make sure that their conditions are addressed over time and perpetuity.
Bill: And Steve, how do people enroll or sign up for the Healthy Start Program?
Steve: Well, it’s fairly simple. They can ask their Emory Primary Care physician about it and they can actually schedule them for a Healthy Start directly and their primary care office. They could also call one o four care centers. We have one in Stockbridge, Georgia, the number is 404-251-1980, again 404-251-1980 and we have one in Decatur, Georgia. The number there is 404-251-1950, again 404-251-1950 for the Decatur care center. And it’s as simple as stating who their primary care physician is and saying that they would like to get a Healthy Start and we can arrange it.
Bill: That’s terrific. And Chuck can you tell us about the Medicare insurance help line and Medicare Compare USA?
Chuck: Absolutely. So, the company that I work directly with is Medicare Compare USA. We are an independent insurance agency and a call center that works hand in hand with healthcare systems throughout the United States and in the greater Atlanta area, we work very closely with Emory Healthcare. When a patient contacts the help line, we immediately recognize them as a patient of Emory Health and we get them connected to the resources that best meet their needs. So, for example; we can get them connected to a Medicare advocate who can help them understand Medicare eligibility related questions, we can schedule a private consultation with an agent in their home or at a local convenient location to review the Medicare plans that are accepted by Emory including all of those Advantage plans that Steve referenced that provide access to the care coordination centers at Emory. We can also get the patient connected with a telephone – an agent by telephone if that’s of interest to them and then we can also help them identify a prescription drug plan that covers all of their medications a the lowest out of pocket cost as well as assistance during the Medicare annual enrollment period which runs October through December 7th. So, if that patient wants to compare available options and understand what their available options would be for the next calendar year; we can help them do those plan comparisons and then lastly, on Emory’s website, there is the ability for patients to register their email address so that they can receive periodic email updates from Emory regarding any changes that are taking place regarding Emory and their contracted Medicare plan relationships. And so, all of that is accessible through the Medicare insurance helpline which is offered at toll free 855-256-1501 or right on the Emory website at www.emoryhealthcare.org/medicare .
Bill: Really good information and speaking of the different plans and options available I think this is important to note Emory Healthcare accepts most Medicare Advantage plans offered in the area. Why is that an important piece of the puzzle?
Steve: It’s very important because for patients who want to keep their Emory physician when they are turning into 65 or that want the Emory primary care physician to take advantage of what is arguably the best especially in tertiary care center in the country and at least in the southeast; it’s important that they choose an Emory physician and so at Emory, we have contracted with most of the primary care – or most of the Medicare Advantage payors in the market and the reason we want to do that is we want to offer those benefits to as many patients as we can. We think we deliver fantastic care here and the only way to ensure that patients receive that care is to include as many payors as we can in our contracting and to work with those so that patients have choices.
Bill: Very good and Chuck any final thoughts from you on that?
Chuck: No, I totally echo what Steve mentioned. The sheer number of Medicare Advantage plans that Emory works with is probably the most extensive network of plans that any of the healthcare systems I work with nationally accepts. So, patients at Emory, have more options available to them than just about any market that I’m aware of and so of course again the challenge is finding that right fit for that person’s needs and preferences; but they have more choices available than any other market I’m aware of. So, it’s an outstanding program that Emory has put together.
Bill: Well Steve and Chuck, you guys are terrific. Thank you so much for your time today and this being a podcast, if you need those numbers that Steve and Chuck gave out earlier just hit the rewind button, they will be right there for you and for more information please visit www.emoryhealthcare.org/medicare . You are going to find a whole suite of information there. That’s www.emoryhealthcare.org/medicare. You’re listening to Advancing Your Health with Emory Healthcare. I’m Bill Klaproth. Thanks for listening.
