Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Starts on January 1

Hopefully, you reviewed your current Medicare plan and made any necessary changes during Medicare’s Annual Election Period between October 15 and December 7 this year. But for those of you enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan, a second opportunity approaches. From January 1 to March 31, the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period allows you to make changes to your Advantage plan.

During this time, those enrolled in Medicare Advantage can take the following actions:

• Switch from one Medicare Advantage plan to another, with or without prescription drug (Part D) coverage
• Drop Medicare Advantage and go back to Original Medicare, and add a Part D plan if desired

You might choose to take one of these actions for a number of reasons. Perhaps you discovered that your Medicare Advantage plan has changed in some way, and it no longer suits you. Or, you might be moving, and your plan network will no longer be appropriate. Sometimes new medications might be prescribed, and you realize that a different prescription plan will save you money. Or perhaps you just aren’t happy with your plan and want to try a different one.

Your changes will take effect beginning on the first of the month following your decision. For example, if you switch Advantage plans on January 10th, your new plan will begin on February 1.

Remember, if you drop your Medicare Advantage plan and go back to Original Medicare, you are not guaranteed Medigap (Medicare Supplement) coverage. You will be required to complete a medical screening and pass underwriting if you’ve exited your original six-month Medicare enrollment window.

Help with Medicare plans is always free. Call us to speak with one of our Licensed Insurance agents, and we can help you evaluate your current plan, review it to other available plans, and answer any questions you might have about Medicare coverage.