The Medicare open enrollment period ends in just a few days, but there’s still time to find a plan that helps with additional costs not covered by Original Medicare parts A and B. Rocky Mountain Health Plans (RMHP) has a variety of options for every budget and need.

RMHP Director of Marketing and Communications Leanne Hart said that although the organization doesn’t offer Medicare Advantage or supplement plans, it has Medicare Cost plans.

“Unlike with Medicare Advantage plans, RMHP Cost plan members keep their Original Medicare benefits. Our 2018 Medicare plans range from $10 to $175 per month, depending on the level of coverage desired. Members continue to pay their Medicare Part B premium,” she said.

Medicare Cost plans offer continuous open enrollment, which means that people can move from Original Medicare or change from one RMHP plan to another any time during the year without waiting for Medicare open enrollment. Medicare recipients can also choose plans for 2018 during the annual open enrollment period, which runs through December 7.

RMHP has been a model for other agencies in how to run a successful operation while keeping costs low. It was founded in Grand Junction in 1974 by physicians and community leaders to provide area residents access to quality health care regardless of their stage of life.

“We’ve provided Medicare plans to Coloradans for 40 years,” Hart said.

RMHP has one of Colorado’s largest provider networks. Members can access 20,000 health care professionals and more than 100 hospitals without needing a referral. If members receive care outside the network, they are covered by their Original Medicare benefits and are responsible for the 20 percent coinsurance and deductibles, if applicable.

In 2017, RMHP became part of the UnitedHealthcare family. The merger enables the company to provide more options for members. For example, the UnitedHealthcare Part D prescription drug plans can be paired with individual RMHP cost plans to save members up to $50 a month in premiums by selecting a UnitedHealthcare Part D plan in 2018 when compared to the RMHP 2017 Part D premium.

There are many options to meet people’s health and budget needs, including a wide range of deductibles, out-of-pocket maximums and copayments. Some plans offer additional benefits, such as discounted hearing aids or gym memberships, and members can also add dental and vision coverage. A care management team helps people manage chronic conditions like diabetes or heart disease, too.

FREE Medicare Help

To find out about RMHP’s Medicare cost plans, call a licensed RMHP Medicare salesperson at 888-251-1330 or visit www.rmhpmedicare.org for details and enrollment forms.

Retirees receiving Medicare benefits through their former employer may call RMHP at 888-251-1330 or contact the employer’s human resources department for details. RMHP’s enrollment office is located at 2779 Crossroads Blvd. in Grand Junction, and is open 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday. You can also call to make an appointment. State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) also has counselors available at no cost. Call 888-696-7213 or 243-9839 to speak to one.