U.S. Medicare Administrator Talks Open Enrollment, Lower Premiums

Enrollment for Medicare is open right now and country’s top Medicare official says some Hoosiers could be paying less.

During the annual open enrollment period, people on Medicare can add benefits or change plans. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Administrator Seema Verma says in Indiana, some premiums are down an average of 15 percent.

"So that’s real money back in the pockets of Indiana’s senior population so we’re very excited about that," says Verma. 

Verma says Medicare also offers a new tool called Plan Finder to help navigate plan choices. 

She says plans are offering more benefits.

"We’re telling plans, you can provide the benefits that you think are going to keep people healthy and out of the hospital, out of the nursing home. That could be a ride to the doctor’s office," Verma says. 

More than 1 million Hoosiers are on Medicare, federal health insurance plans for people older than 65. 

Open enrollment ends Dec. 7.

Contact Jill at jsheridan@wfyi.org or follow her on Twitter at @JillASheridan.