By Rick Banas of BMA Management, Ltd.
Here a few things you should know about this year’s Medicare Open Enrollment Period:
1.) The Medicare Open Enrollment Period is earlier this year, running from Oct. 15 through Dec. 7, to give you more time to make decisions.
2.) The Open Enrollment Period is the ONE TIME of the year when EVERYONE with Medicare can make changes to their health care and prescription drug (Medicare Part D) plans.
3.) Because each year there are new choices and benefits available, Medicare recommends that you review your current health and prescription drug plan coverage each fall during the Open Enrollment Period.
4.) Medicare can help you review your choices, showing you which plans in your area may cost less; cover the specific medications you take; and let you go to the doctor, health care provider and pharmacy of your choice. Quality and customer service ratings from current plan members and an estimate of what your out-of-pocket expenses are likely to be also are available.
5.) There are four ways you can get the help you need from Medicare:
- Go to www.medicare.gov/find-a-plan and use the Medicare Plan Finder.
- Call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) and say “Agent” when prompted. You can call 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
- Look at the most recent Medicare handbook. You can access the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid “Medicine & You” 2012 Handbook by clicking here.
- Contact your State Health Insurance Counseling & Assistance Program (SHIP). Free personalized health insurance counseling is available. Contact information for Illinois SHIP is 1-800-548-9034. You can also go to www.medicare.gov/contacts or call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) to find SHIP contact information.
6.) If you are satisfied with your current plan and will not be switching to another plan, you do not need to do anything. Any changes to the plans benefits and/or costs will begin on Jan. 1, 2012. If you are going to change your Medicare health and/or prescription drug coverage to a new plan, the new plan must get your fully completed enrollment request (application) by Dec. 7. If you switch plans, coverage under the new plan will begin on Jan. 1, 2012.
7.) During the Open Enrollment Period, you can join a Medicare Advantage Program or can go with Original Medicare. A chart on page 15 of the Medicare & Medicaid “Medicine & You” 2012 Handbook helps explain the differences.
8.) One of the new Medicare benefits that will be offered free of charge starting in 2012 is a yearly Wellness visit.
If you should have any questions, check the 2012 Handbook, visit www.medicare.gov, or call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227).
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