Every fall, something important happens for Medicare patients. It is called Annual Enrollment Period, or “AEP” for short. It begins on October 15 and ends on December 7. During this time, you can review your insurance options and make changes to ensure your coverage fits your current needs.
Why does AEP matter? Your needs can change throughout the year, and insurance plans can also change. Maybe you are taking new medicines. Maybe your health has shifted. Maybe your plan costs more now than it used to. AEP is the time to double-check that you still have the best coverage for your health and your budget
At Hopscotch Primary Care, we know this season can be confusing or even overwhelming. That is why our Patient Relations Managers, or PRMs, are here to help. Our PRMs are friendly guides who sit down with our patients, listen to their needs, and make the process less stressful. To kick off AEP, we want to introduce you to one of our wonderful PRMs: Ashley Medrano-Fender, who is located at our Boone clinic.
Ashley’s Journey to Hopscotch
Ashley has been working in healthcare since 2010. She grew up in Asheville and worked in a few medical offices there before moving to Boone. That is where she found her home at Hopscotch.
Ashley says her favorite part of the job is welcoming new patients. She often meets them during their very first visit. “I enjoy being the first friendly face people see,” Ashley explains. “It gives me the chance to explain the resources we have and help them feel at home.”
She doesn’t just meet patients once. Ashley continues to build relationships with them over time. “I love seeing patients again and again. We get to know each other. It feels like being part of a family,” she says.
Her clinic is special to her too. She describes it as a true team effort. “Everyone is always willing to jump in and help. We go above and beyond for our patients. If someone needs something, we make sure it happens.”
Why AEP Matters to Ashley
“Insurance can be really confusing, especially for Medicare patients,” she says. “They get so many phone calls and mailers, and it’s hard to know what’s real.”
That is where Ashley steps in. She wants patients to call Hopscotch first to discuss options in the context of the patient’s situation. “We can sit down with them, go over their options, and make sure it works for them. And we can connect them with trusted brokers who can help set everything up.”
Ashley is clear that she is not here to push one plan over another. Her role is to make sure patients understand their options and feel supported. “It’s about being their voice of reason,” she explains.
Simple Advice for Patients in October
Ashley shared a few tips for patients:
- Start early: “Come see us now, at the beginning of AEP,” she says. “Don’t wait until the last week when everything feels rushed.”
- Ask questions: “A lot of people don’t even know they can change their plan. They just assume they’re stuck. But during AEP, you do have choices. We can walk you through it.”
- Be careful about scams: “Most of the scams happen over the phone. People will call and say, ‘I have a better plan for you,’ but it may not be true. Always check with us first.”
If a patient feels overwhelmed, Ashley is happy to take on as much of the work as she can to take away any stress. “I don’t just hand them a phone number and send them on their way,” she explains. “I reach out to brokers, I gather information, and I guide them step by step. That way patients know what to expect and don’t feel alone.”
Why Staying In-Network Matters
Ashley also reminds patients that choosing the right plan affects more than just cost. “If your plan isn’t one that Hopscotch accepts, you might lose access to your care team,” she says. “We don’t want that. We want patients to stay with us and keep getting the coordinated care they need.”
That is why it is so important to check if Hopscotch is in-network before making a choice.
A Friendly Face in Boone
For patients in Boone, Ashley is just a phone call away. She encourages people to call the clinic and ask to set up a time with her. “That way I can give patients my full attention and make sure they don’t feel rushed,” she says.
Her message for patients at the start of AEP is clear: “Don’t wait. Call us now. Let’s make sure your plan is the right one for you.”