Medicare Open Enrollment takes place Oct. 15 through Dec. 7. Open enrollment is the time of the year when changes can be made in the plans and providers you’ve chosen for your Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage and/or Medicare Advantage option.
If you wish to make changes, you can only do so until Dec. 7. Open enrollment is also a good time to run drug comparisons to make sure the Medicare Part D plan you are on is still your best option as Medicare Part D plans change from year to year.
Individuals who receive the Low Income Subsidy (LIS), or “extra help” can change their plans once every quarter. In 2024, the income guidelines for this program are increasing to 150% of the poverty level and anyone who qualifies for extra help in 2024 will receive the full benefit instead of a partial benefit. Even if you are receiving help through LIS, it is a good idea to check your plans to make sure all of your medications will be covered on your current plan for 2024.
Original Medicare, sometimes referred to as Part A and Part B, helps with hospital, doctor and outpatient services. More than likely, a Medicare supplement is needed in order to cover the costs not covered by Part A and Part B. Medicare Advantage, or Part C, combines Part A and B in to one plan, while Medicare Part D covers prescription drug plans. During open enrollment, beneficiaries have the opportunity to make changes to these plans that provides better support for their health and well-being. It’s a time to change what doesn’t work and keep what does.
More information about Medicare plans and options is available at www.medicare.gov.
Here are some important dates to note with Medicare open enrollment:
* Oct. 15 — Open enrollment begins. Open Enrollment is the one time of the year when everyone with Medicare can make changes to their health and drug plans for the following year. If your co-pays are expensive, this is the time of year to compare plans to find out if there is a plan that will be a better and less expensive option for you starting Jan. 1, 2024.
* Dec. 7 – Open enrollment ends. In most cases, Dec. 7 is the last day you can change your Medicare coverage for the following year. The plan has to have your enrollment form by Dec. 7.
* Jan. 1 — Coverage begins. If you switched to a new plan, your coverage will begin on Jan. 1, 2024. If you stay with the same plan, any changes to coverage, benefits or costs for the new year will begin on Jan. 1, 2024.
* Making changes to your coverage after Jan. 1 — Between Jan. 1 and March 31, if you’re in a Medicare Advantage Plan, you can drop your plan and switch to another Medicare Advantage Plan with or without prescription drug coverage, or go back to Original Medicare. If you go back to Original Medicare, you will also have the option to join a Medicare prescription drug plan. Your coverage will begin the first day of the month after your enrollment. In some cases, you may be able to make other changes if you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period.
Your local Area Agency on Aging District 7 (AAA7) helps individuals with Medicare through a number of ways. The AAA7 has staff that can help you determine if you are eligible for Medicare Premium Assistance such as the Medicare Savings Program, which if eligible pays your Medicare Part B premium and/or the Low Income Subsidy program that helps those with Medicare Part D premiums and co-pays. AAA7 staff can also assist you during the open enrollment period by running comparisons for your Medicare prescription drug plans or Medicare Advantage plans. The AAA7 can also answer general Medicare questions you may have. Medicare Check-Up counseling is by appointment only. Counties covered by the AAA7 include Adams, Brown, Gallia, Highland, Jackson, Lawrence, Pike, Ross, Scioto and Vinton. For questions or assistance, call toll-free at 1-800-582-7277, ext. 250 or email [email protected].
Submitted by Jenni Lewis, director of communications, Area Agency on Aging District 7, Inc.
