MedicareCompareUSA announced today that it has partnered with Washington Regional Medical Center in Arkansas to establish a toll-free helpline that will assist Medicare beneficiaries in selecting a health plan that best meets their personal needs and preferences. Washington Regional is the only not-for-profit, community-owned and locally governed healthcare system in Northwest Arkansas.
The new helpline connects callers with licensed agents specially trained to help educate consumers on the features of all Medicare options, including Medicare Advantage, Supplements and Prescription plans. In addition to providing information, these agents also help seniors enroll in whatever plan they chose, thus simplifying and streamlining what is often a very confusing and cumbersome process. All of these services are provided free to Medicare beneficiaries.
Local consumers can access the helpline through a link on the hospital’s website or by clicking http://www.wregional.com/main/medicare-insurance-helpline.aspx.
“Many seniors have existing relationships with doctors and hospitals that have been built over time, and they want to make sure that they have continued access once they go on Medicare,” said Kerri Lenderman, director of consulting services with MedicareCompareUSA. “One of the beauties of this new helpline is that it will be easier for Medicare beneficiaries to find a plan that is accepted by Washington Regional and affiliated doctors, thus assuring continuity of care while preserving those bonds of trust.”
Medicare’s annual open enrollment period was recently completed with new plan selections taking effect January 1, 2018. Lenderman points out that during this time Medicare
recipients were bombarded with “confusing and conflicting messages” from competing plans, leaving many seniors no neutral place to turn for help or guidance. This is especially true for the 11,000 new seniors “aging into” Medicare every day. “The new helpline is a one-stop information destination so seniors can feel informed and confident when they are making this important decision,” says Lenderman.
Once enrolled, agents of MedicareCompareUSA will be available to provide an annual review of an individual’s Medicare coverage. This often includes assisting members affected by Medicare plan network changes that frequently occur on an annual basis. Doing so will allow beneficiaries to proactively select a new plan, if necessary, that best meets their specific needs, preferences and budget while retaining continuity of care with their trusted providers.
The new agreement with Washington Regional Medical Center is the latest in a series of recent contract signings by MedicareCompareUSA that also includes new agreements with
Baptist Memorial in Tennessee, CHI Texas Division, CHI Health in Nebraska and Southwest Iowa, Hillcrest HealthCare System in Oklahoma, Providence Health in South Carolina, Spartanburg Regional Health System in South Carolina, and Tenet Health nationwide.