Medicare Open Enrollment: Five Things You Need to Do
Reading Time: 3 MinutesLast Updated: November 30, 2015
Routines help keep us focused, organized, and even healthy. However, if your health routine doesn’t include preparing for Medicare’s Open Enrollment, now’s the time to kick-start a new healthy habit.
If you have a Medicare health or prescription drug plan, you should review and compare coverage options. The Open Enrollment runs through December 7 and is the time you can make changes to your plan. Even if you’re happy with your current coverage, you might find a better fit for your budget or your health needs. If you miss an Open Enrollment deadline, you’ll most likely have to wait a full year before you can change your plan.
Here are five things every Medicare beneficiary can do to get in the Medicare Open Enrollment routine.
- Review your plan notice. Be sure to read any notices from your Medicare plan about changes for next year, especially your “Annual Notice of Change” letter. Look at your plan’s information to make sure your drugs are still covered and your doctors are still in network.
- Think about what matters most to you. Medicare health and drug plans change each year and so can your health needs. Do you need a new primary care doctor? Does your network include the specialist you want for an upcoming surgery? Does your current plan cover your new medications? Does another plan offer the same value at a lower cost? Take stock of your health status and determine if you need to make a change.
- Find out if you qualify for help paying for your Medicare. Learn about programs in your state to help with the costs of Medicare premiums, your Medicare Part A (hospital insurance) and Medicare Part B (medical insurance) deductibles, coinsurance and co-payments, and Medicare prescription drug coverage costs. Visit Medicare.gov or make an appointment with a local State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) counselor if you need help.
- Shop for plans that meet your needs and fit your budget. You can use the Medicare Plan Finder tool to see what other plans are offered in your area. A new plan may:
- Cost less;
- Cover your drugs costs; or
- Let you use the providers you want, like your doctor or pharmacy.
If you find that your current coverage still meets your needs, then you don’t need to make any changes. Remember, during Medicare Open Enrollment, you can decide to stay in Original Medicare or join a Medicare Advantage Plan. If you’re already in a Medicare Advantage Plan, you can switch back to Original Medicare.
- Check your plan’s star rating before you enroll. The Medicare Plan Finder includes Star Ratings for the 2016 Medicare health and prescription drug plans. Plans are rated for quality on a one- to five-star scale: one star represents poor performance and five stars represent excellent performance. Be sure to use the ratings to compare the quality of any health and drug plans you are considering.
These are a few easy ways to get a jump-start on your Medicare Open Enrollment. For more information, call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) and say “Agent.” TTY users should call 1-877-486-2048. Help is available 24 hours a day, including weekends. If you need help in a language other than English or Spanish, let the customer service representative know the language. You can also visit a local SHIP counselor. SHIP counselors provide free, one-on-one, non-biased Medicare assistance. Get free personalized health insurance counseling by calling your SHIP at the number listed on the Medicare contacts page or call 1-800-MEDICARE.
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Tags: Medicare, social security, SSA
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Dr. Patrick Conway, CMS Principal Deputy Administrator and Chief Medical Officer
Dr. Patrick Conway, CMS Principal Deputy Administrator and Chief Medical Officer
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She M.
Wish for unequivocal abolishment of “ALL MEDICARE PART A & B REPLACEMENT PLANS”.
This, these, those, are nothing more than schemes by “big insurance” to defraud the American Taxpayers of the many loopholes in choosing such plans to replace Medicare A & B of which U.S. TAXPAYERS are already ENTITLED and are guaranteed the right to obtain on retirement, or disability.
How they convinced Congress to let this one sneak in with the ACAct, is an easy guess.
If Congress were health insurance experts and not law makers, it would have NEVER happened.
TALK ABOUT DARK MONEY….. GEEZ!
ANGELA L.
Became 65 and want to enroll for MEDICARE PART A. I’m employed with 100% medical, vision, and dental coverage. Will continue to work up to 67 years of age.
Vonda V.
Hi Angela, thank you for using our blog. Generally, individuals receiving Social Security benefits are automatically enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B. If you are at least 64 years and 9 months old and aren’t receiving Social Security benefits, you can apply for Medicare online. We hope this helps!
Cynthia K.
I’m turning 65 in December can I apply fir medicare?
Vonda V.
Hi Cynthia, thank you for using our blog. Generally, individuals receiving Social Security benefits are automatically enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B. If you are at least 64 years and 9 months old and aren’t receiving Social Security benefits, you can apply for Medicare A and B online.
Lawrence G.
I need the form to Cancel my part B Medicare. My spouse has medical coverage that includes me.
Eric N.
How do I disenroll from Medicare Part B. I have coverage through my employer.
Vonda V.
Hi Eric, thanks for using our blog. If you’re over age 65, and covered under a Group health plan based on current employment, you may be eligible to sign up for Medicare (Part A & B) during a Special Enrollment Period (SEP). We always suggest that individuals speak to their personnel office, health benefits advisor, or health plan representative to see what’s best for them, and to prevent any penalties or delayed enrollment in the future.
If you still want to terminate Part B of Medicare, check out our Frequently Asked Questions web page for details on how.
Melanie l.
Why are they trying to take money out of my check if I was approved for the extra help I only receive 9400 a year in widows benefits
Ann C.
Hi, Melanie. For your security, we do not have access to private information in this venue. We ask that members in our Blog community work with our offices with specific questions. You can call us at 1-800-772-1213, Monday through Friday, between 8:00 a.m. and 5:30 p.m., for assistance. Generally, you will have a shorter wait if you call later in the day. You can also contact your local Social Security office. We hope this helps.
narender t.
want to enroll in medicare, plan a and plan b, need help, please reply
Vonda V.
Hi Narender, thank you for using our blog. Generally, individuals receiving Social Security benefits are automatically enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B. If you are at least 64 years and 9 months old and aren’t receiving Social Security benefits, you can apply for Medicare A and B online. Hopefully this helps!
Dianne C.
I have had medicare part a and b for severval years. I took out a supplement plan g August 2020. What is primary and what is secondary to pay the doctors visit. Thank you . Dianne Clyde
Vonda V.
Hi Dianne, thanks for using our blog. Check out Medicare’s web page on how Medicare works with other insurance for details. We hope this helps!
Joan L.
I submitted paperwork for Part B coverage one month ago but have not received a card or any proof of coverage. How do I get proof of coverage?
Vonda V.
Hi Joan, thanks for using our blog. For your security, we do not have access to private information in this venue. To check on the paperwork, you can call us at 1-800-772-1213 or you can contact your local Social Security office. Please look for the general inquiry telephone number at the Social Security Office Locator. The number may appear under Show Additional Office Information. Please be aware that our call wait times are longer than normal. We hope this information helps.
Marian P.
I was awarded my disability by a judge I’m 63 yrs old we have health Insurance Marketplace and someone called said if I don’t take Medicare they will stop my disability payments and I could never draw my social security can they do that to me?
Marian P.
Can someone help me with this question
Vonda V.
Hi Marian, thanks for using our blog. You are automatically enrolled in Medicare Part A and B if you’ve been entitled to Social Security disability benefits for 24 months. An information packet will arrive in the mail a few months before you become eligible. Check out the Medicare brochure for more information.
If you need to speak to a representative, you can call us at 1-800-772-1213 or you can contact your local Social Security office. Please look for the general inquiry telephone number at the Social Security Office Locator. The number may appear under Show Additional Office Information. Please be aware that our call wait times are longer than normal. We hope this information helps.