How to Prepare for the 2019 Medicare Annual Enrollment Period
The 2019 annual enrollment period is about to open on
October 15th. This is the time of year when you can you are able to
make changes to your Medicare coverage including:
Change from one Medicare Advantage plan to
another
Change from original Medicare to a Medicare
Advantage plan
Enroll, change, or cancel your Part D
prescription drug coverage
Go back to original Medicare and drop your
Medicare Advantage plan
Now is the time to prepare. We’ve put together five tips to
help you get ready to make this year’s enrollment period a successful one.
Annual
Notice of Change – Every September you will receive a notice called the
annual notice of change. This document explains any changes that will be made
to your plan for the upcoming year. Take note if any of the changes may
adversely affect your coverage.
Remember
the dates – Most new enrollments and changes to Medicare plan can only
occur during this time of year, which runs from October 15th to
December 7th, a mere 54 days. If you miss the deadline, your only
opportunity to enroll in or change plans is if you qualify for a Special
Enrollment Period.
Review
your needs – Now is the time to evaluate if the coverage you need going
forward will should be changed. Determine if you need additional coverage or if
you are paying for coverage you don’t need.
Check the
network – If you are expecting to see a new physician in the upcoming year,
contact your insurance provider to confirm they are in-network to avoid higher
out of pocket costs.
Renew or
change your plan – If the plan you have is right for you and you are
already enrolled, it will automatically renew. Should you need additional
coverage, are paying too much for coverage, or are unsatisfied with the current
premium, now is the time to review other plans in your area.
Now is a good time to do your annual enrollment period
homework. As your agent, I am here to help. Please call me anytime if you need
assistance evaluating your insurance needs or to review the plans that make the
most sense for you and your budget.