Things You Need to Know About Open Enrollment Medicare 

Medicare open enrollment is crucial for beneficiaries to review and make changes to their healthcare coverage. Understanding this process can help you make informed decisions and ensure you have the best possible coverage for your needs.

When Is Medicare Open Enrollment?

Medicare open enrollment, also known as the Annual Election Period (AEP), occurs every year from October 15 to December 7. During this time, Medicare beneficiaries can make changes to their Medicare plans, including:

• Switching from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage plan

• Switching from a Medicare Advantage plan back to Original Medicare

• Changing from one Medicare Advantage plan to another

• Joining, switching, or dropping a Medicare Part D prescription drug plan if you have Original Medicare

Why Is Open Enrollment Important?

Open enrollment is the only time of year when you can make these changes without exceptional circumstances, such as moving to a new area or qualifying for a special enrollment period. Annually reviewing your coverage is essential because of the following:

• Plan changes—Medicare Advantage plans can change their coverage, costs and provider networks yearly. Reviewing your plan helps ensure that it still meets your needs.

• Health changes—Your health needs may change over time, and a different plan might offer better coverage for your current situation.

• Cost savings—Switching plans could save you money on premiums, copayments and out-of-pocket costs.

Part D and Medicare Advantage benefits can change each year, and the premiums may increase. If you have Part D or Medicare Advantage coverage, you’ll get an annual notice of change from your plan’s administrator in September to notify you of changes that will take effect January 1. If you choose not to update your current coverage, it renews automatically.

If you change your Medicare coverage during open enrollment, those changes take effect on January 1 of the following year.

Contact Us

Contact 314 Insurance Advisors in La Grange, Kentucky, for guidance as you make decisions about your Medicare coverage.

This blog is intended for informational and educational use only. It is not exhaustive and should not be construed as legal advice. Please contact your insurance professional for further information.