{"id":356847,"date":"2025-11-05T06:47:14","date_gmt":"2025-11-05T06:47:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/356847\/"},"modified":"2025-11-05T06:47:14","modified_gmt":"2025-11-05T06:47:14","slug":"learn-about-options-for-houston-seniors-during-medicare-annual-election-period","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/356847\/","title":{"rendered":"Learn about options for Houston seniors during Medicare Annual Election Period"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__TextBase-sc-1fnzlkn-3 bYFsJw cuqaEv article-text\"><strong>HOUSTON<\/strong> \u2013 Tiffany Frink from HealthSpring joined Houston Life to explain how the new HealthSpring Medicare Advantage plans can help local seniors protect their health and their wallets during the Medicare Annual Election Period.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__TextBase-sc-1fnzlkn-3 bYFsJw cuqaEv article-text\"><b>Who is HealthSpring?<\/b> <\/p>\n<p class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__TextBase-sc-1fnzlkn-3 bYFsJw cuqaEv article-text\"><a rel=\"sponsored noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.healthspring.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"https:\/\/www.healthspring.com\/\">HealthSpring<\/a> is a new Medicare-focused brand backed by Health Care Service Corporation, one of the nation\u2019s largest customer-owned health insurers. Tiffany Frink described HealthSpring as a trusted partner in Medicare Advantage, committed to helping members reach their health and wellness goals with knowledgeable service every step of the way. HealthSpring will offer Medicare Advantage plans during this Medicare Annual Election Period for coverage beginning Jan. 1, 2026.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__TextBase-sc-1fnzlkn-3 bYFsJw cuqaEv article-text\"><b>What does the Annual Election Period mean for you?<\/b> <\/p>\n<p class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__TextBase-sc-1fnzlkn-3 bYFsJw cuqaEv article-text\">If you\u2019re new to Medicare or considering a change, the Annual Election Period is the time to review your options \u2014 from Original Medicare to Medicare Advantage (MA), Medigap and prescription drug plans. Health care is one of the most important investments you\u2019ll make, so taking time to compare plans now can help avoid surprises and ensure coverage fits your needs.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__TextBase-sc-1fnzlkn-3 bYFsJw cuqaEv article-text\"><b>What\u2019s new for 2026 \u2014 benefits and tips <\/b><\/p>\n<p class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__TextBase-sc-1fnzlkn-3 bYFsJw cuqaEv article-text\">HealthSpring\u2019s plans for 2026 include options designed to put more money back into members\u2019 Social Security checks. Many seniors pay $185 a month for their Part B premium; HealthSpring plans may offer a Part B premium giveback up to $185 per month \u2014 as much as $2,220 a year \u2014 though there are trade-offs to weigh. Other features may include a $0 monthly plan premium, $0 primary care and low specialist visit copays, $0 copays for many prescription drugs, over-the-counter allowances, fitness programs, dental, hearing, vision, transportation services and up to $200 in rewards for healthy activities.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__TextBase-sc-1fnzlkn-3 bYFsJw cuqaEv article-text\"><b>Veterans and Medicare Advantage <\/b><\/p>\n<p class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__TextBase-sc-1fnzlkn-3 bYFsJw cuqaEv article-text\">Frink addressed a common misconception: enrolling in a Medicare Advantage plan does not make veterans lose earned military benefits such as VA coverage or TRICARE for Life. A Medicare Advantage plan can expand access to doctors and services not covered by VA care, adding flexibility and potential savings.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__TextBase-sc-1fnzlkn-3 bYFsJw cuqaEv article-text\"><b>Helpful next steps<\/b><\/p>\n<ul class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 kDvXdO font_openSans articleList\">\n<li class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__StackBase-sc-1fnzlkn-7 ecGWWE iQviKm\">\n<p>Review any Annual Notice of Change (ANOC) you received from your current carrier.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__StackBase-sc-1fnzlkn-7 ecGWWE iQviKm\">\n<p>Compare extra benefits like dental, vision and fitness programs.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__StackBase-sc-1fnzlkn-7 ecGWWE iQviKm\">\n<p>Check provider networks and drug formularies for the doctors and medications you use.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"dist__Box-sc-1fnzlkn-0 dist__TextBase-sc-1fnzlkn-3 bYFsJw cuqaEv article-text\">Need help comparing plans? HealthSpring has licensed agents ready to assist at 855-552-0666 (TTY: 711) or visit <a rel=\"sponsored noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/healthspringmedicare.com\/TX.\" target=\"_blank\" title=\"https:\/\/healthspringmedicare.com\/TX.\">healthspringmedicare.com\/TX.<\/a> <\/p>\n<p>HealthSpring is a new Medicare-focused brand backed by Health Care Service Corporation, one of the nation\u2019s largest customer-owned health insurers (KPRC 2 TV)<\/p>\n<p>Copyright 2025 by KPRC Click2Houston &#8211; All rights reserved.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"HOUSTON \u2013 Tiffany Frink from HealthSpring joined Houston Life to explain how the new HealthSpring Medicare Advantage plans&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":356848,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5130],"tags":[173948,3168,173949,4345,3235,358,3187],"class_list":{"0":"post-356847","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-houston","8":"tag-annual-election-period","9":"tag-health-insurance","10":"tag-healthspring","11":"tag-houston","12":"tag-medicare","13":"tag-texas","14":"tag-tx"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@us\/115495754303431688","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/356847","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=356847"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/356847\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/356848"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=356847"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=356847"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=356847"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}