A new business will help people understand an aspect of health care that’s super-complicated—Medicare.⚕

Medicare may sound like something that doesn’t affect you, but 44 million people nationwide—15 percent of the population—benefit from the federal insurance program, according to AARP.

Most people probably know someone who benefits from the coverage, and despite the fact that it’s largely used by people who are 65 or older, other people of all ages also depend on the program. 🏥

But it’s a complex system to navigate, and that’s why two Chattanoogans recently launched Outreach Chattanooga—a new advocacy business that helps patients, insurance companies and medical providers work together better.

The business provides no-cost Medicare enrollment services for individuals. 🙏

What is Medicare?

It’s a federal insurance program for people who are age 65 or older, some younger people with disabilities and people with permanent kidney failure or ALS. 🏥

(Remember that ice bucket challenge everyone did a few years ago? That was for ALS. We can all remember how viral that challenge went, so if that’s any indication, a lot of people may be affected by that disease and thus could benefit from Medicare.)

What are my Medicare rights?

Those who benefit from Medicare have rights, including protection from discrimination; privacy; access to doctors, care providers specialists and hospitals; as well as decision-making power about payment, coverage and prescription drug coverage. 💊

Enrollees need to know what is covered, what isn’t and if they are getting the most out of their plan. Outreach Chattanooga founders said they want to help with all of that.

Why does this matter now?

For qualified members of the public, it’s almost time to enroll and the window to do that is short.

People turning 65 have three months before their birthday, their birthday month and three months after—for a total of seven months—to enroll. But that window can be easily missed, Yoder said.

The open enrollment period to get coverage starts Oct. 15 and runs through Dec. 7. 🗓

And one in five people who use Medicare encounter delays in needed care—mainly prescriptions—because of the expense. The open enrollment period is a time for people to check or change their benefits and avoid delays and higher costs, Outreach Chattanooga co-founder David Yoder said.

The company, which was also co-founded by Maura Doyle, is hosting an upcoming education event to help people dig through the intricacies of the program.

How do I get help from Outreach Chattanooga?

The team will be hosting a Medicare education + enrollment event for HUMANA, which is introducing a new $0 monthly premium plan in Chattanooga for 2019.

Check it out.

📅 Oct. 15 and 16

🕙 10 to 11 a.m.

📍Ooltewah’s Cambridge Square, 9454 Bradmore Lane, Suite 201.

Outreach Chattanooga’s office is in Cambridge Square and the corporation has info booths at the CVS on Lee Highway Wednesdays from 9 to 11 a.m., and the CVS on East Brainerd Road Mondays from 4 to 6 p.m. 📅

Why should I care about this if I don’t need Medicare now?

Your parents or grandparents, or other people you’re close to, might benefit from Medicare and they might be able to get better benefits or more clarification about their insurance from Outreach Chattanooga. You may know someone whose life could be better by knowing about that new $0 monthly premium plan.