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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Roberta B.
If I’m still working and am at the age of 65 already would I apply for medicare?
R.F.
Hello, Roberta. Individuals within three months of age 65 or older and not ready to start their monthly cash benefits can use our online retirement application to sign up for Medicare ONLY and apply for their retirement benefits at a later date. Since you must pay a premium for Part B coverage, you have the option of turning it down. However, we suggest that individuals speak to their 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. You can call our toll free number at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) for further assistance. Representatives are available Monday through Friday, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Generally, you’ll have a shorter wait time if you call later in the week. To learn more about the Medicare enrollment periods visit http://www.Medicare.gov, and read our publication “Apply Online for Medicare – Even If You Are Not Ready to Retire“. We hope this information helps!
Herman C.
I responded it to Medicare part B and it was successfully accepted however, upon viewing my phone # there is a missing digit. Please Edit my mobile telephone is 718-510-xxxx.
R.F.
Hello Herman, for security reasons, we do not have access to information about your account in this venue. Remember, never post personal information on social media.
You can create a my Social Security account to change your address and phone number. See our “Services for people currently receiving benefits” web page for more information.
You can also update your information by calling our toll free number at 1-800-772-1213. Representatives are available Monday through Friday, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Generally, you will have a shorter wait time if you call later in the week. Thanks!
Rocco D.
This Sucks.. I called Medicare they told me to sing up for Medicare with Soc. Sec.. This site tells me to call Medicare! ???
R.F.
Hi Rocco. If you already get Social Security retirement benefits, you will be enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B automatically, at age 65. Also, at age 65, you can apply online for Medicare ONLY even if you are not ready to retire.
If you didn’t sign up for Medicare Part B when you were first eligible, and you aren’t eligible for a Special Enrollment Period, you can sign up during the General Enrollment Period between January 1 – March 31 each year. Click here to learn more about the enrollment periods.
The Medicare Open Enrollment is open now through December 7. It allows current Medicare beneficiaries to review their health care coverage and see if they need to make any changes for next year.
For “More Medicare Information” read our publication Medicare. For specific questions about your situation, you can call 1-800-772-1213, Monday through Friday, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. and ask a representative to assist you. We hope this information helps!
Rocco D.
THIS SUCKS..I called Medicare, they told me to sign up through sos sec. This site tells me to call MEDICARE !!!!!!!!!!!!!! ??????????????
Nancy
My husband is on SS Disability and has Medicare A & B. He will be 65 in January 2018. Does he have to reapply for Medicare or will everything just transfer over? Also, I will be retiring and taking him off of my health care plan. Will he need a supplemental insurance in addition to his SSDI/Medicare? Thank you!
R.F.
Thank you for your question, Nancy. Your husband does not need to re-apply, his Medicare benefits should continue without interruption. Visit our Disability Planner: Medicare Coverage If You’re Disabled for more information. As always, we recommend that individuals check with their health benefits advisor, or health plan representative to see what options are available in their situation. To see how Medicare works with other insurance, please visit http://www.Medicare.gov. If you or your husband need further assistance, call us at 1-800-772-1213. Representatives are available Monday through Friday, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. We hope this information helps!
Maceo M.
Why am I paying the Medicare Part B premium and having Medicare Taxes withheld from my current paycheck?
My 65th birthday was this past June. I retired from government service in April 2017 and kept my Federal Employees Health Benefit (FEHB). I will get Tricare For Life once I Medicare Part B becomes active.
I applied for social security benefits and Medicare Part B in May 2017. I began working for a private organization in June 2017. My first paycheck from that organization had a deduction for Medicare Taxes.
R.F.
Thank you for your questions Maceo. Everyone working in covered employment or self-employment regardless of age or eligibility for benefits must pay Social Security and Medicare taxes. Also, everyone must pay a premium for Medicare Part B coverage. If you receive Social Security benefits, we will automatically deduct the Part B premium from your monthly payments. Generally, individuals can decline or delay enrollment into Medicare Part B when covered under an employer’s group health insurance coverage (current employment). However, current law requires TRICARE beneficiaries who are entitled to Medicare Part A to enroll in Medicare Part B to retain their TRICARE benefits. Please visit the TRICARE web page or contact the Department of Defense or a military health benefits advisor for more information. We hope this information helps.
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Betty B.
Help I’m 3 months before 65 years of age. How do apply for Plan A only? I went on-line to apply but it keeps taking me to enrollment for Plan B. What am I doing wrong?
R.F.
Hi Betty! If you’re having difficulties using our online retirement application to sign up for Medicare ONLY, you should call our toll free number at 1-800-772-1213 and ask one of our agents to assist you. Representatives are available Monday through Friday, between Monday through Friday, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Generally, it’s best if you call later in the week.
Geneva L.
I am widowed, 79 female. I have straight Medicare and have been happy with that, but I really need dental and vision coverage. I am a charity case at our local hospital but pay a $24 co-pay each time I see my family doctor. The girls in the office who do paperwork seem to think I should just stay the way I am. I am confused about all of these “advantage” programs, as it doesn’t look like there is much dental coverage. Please advise. Oklahoma resident.
A.C.
Thanks for your question, Geneva. To learn more about Medicare Advantage Plans, please call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) or visit http://www.medicare.gov. We hope this helps!
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