Diagnosis for a chronic condition is never pleasant news. Some are common and easily managed with advice from your doctor and any care plan they may recommend. For more complex conditions, the key to managing them well is education.
You may find that you need special training, treatments or medications and perhaps the help of a caregiver or other local support. That can cause worries over the costs associated with those needs. While most people can only change their Medicare plan during Open Enrollment (October 15-December 7, each year), if you are diagnosed with a qualifying chronic condition you are allowed to change plans within 60 days of diagnosis, to a Medicare Advantage C-SNP (Chronic Condition Special Needs Plan).
You are also allowed to change plans if your condition changes. These are specially tailored to address your specific condition and the associated treatments for conditions, such as diabetes, heart disease, cancer, dementia, or stroke. These plans also include care coordination services to help you navigate through your new health challenges. A new diagnosis can be intimidating, but we’re here to help you through finding the coverage to best fit your needs. We invite you to call or schedule an appointment for any questions you may have.
State Health Insurance Program (SHIP), formerly known as MMAP, has offices in every Michigan county. Call (800) 803-7174 today!
SHIP is a free, unbiased Medicare counseling service provided to you via local, state, and federal grants.