Review Your Medicare Choices: Open Enrollment Runs Through Dec. 7

(Feature Impact) Medicare Open Enrollment gives you a chance to review your plan and see whether another option may work better for you. Because plans can change each year, this is the time to check your coverage carefully.

If you have Medicare, taking time each fall to look over your coverage options is one of the most important health decisions you can make.

Give Your Medicare Plan a Check-up

• Check your coverage. Make sure your preferred doctors, prescriptions and pharmacies are included.
• Check your costs. Review premiums, deductibles, copays and other out-of-pocket expenses.
• Check for changes. Find out what will be different in your plan for the coming year.
• Check your options. Compare plans side by side based on the prescriptions you take, and choose the one that best fits your health needs and budget.

This is the only time of year when you can make changes to your health and prescription drug plans. Medicare Open Enrollment is your chance to compare choices and take control of both your coverage and your spending.

Medicare plans change from year to year, and your health needs may change as well. What worked well last year may not be the best fit now. Reviewing your options can help you find coverage that matches your current lifestyle and health needs while potentially saving you hundreds of dollars in out-of-pocket costs.

For example, one Medicare beneficiary compared drug plans to find the best coverage and pricing for prescriptions, including a blood thinner and a common cholesterol medicine. Using Medicare.gov, that person found annual costs for a Medicare drug plan and those medications ranged from $1,356 to $2,965. By choosing the lowest-cost plan, they saved more than $1,600 while keeping essential medicines covered.

Medicare.gov Is the Official Source

For all Open Enrollment needs, Medicare.gov is the official source. It is a trusted resource for exploring and comparing every available Medicare health and drug plan in your area. If you would rather speak with someone directly, call 1-800-MEDICARE to connect with experts available around the clock to help you review your options and answer questions about Medicare coverage.

To begin, go to Medicare.gov and select “Find Plans Now.” For the best shopping experience, log in to your Medicare account or create one. You can compare plan costs side by side based on the medications you take. Be sure the plan you choose covers your prescriptions and your doctors.

Don’t Wait — Open Enrollment Ends Dec. 7

If you miss the deadline, you may have to wait a full year before making changes to your coverage. That is why it is important to start early. Give yourself enough time to compare options and consider costs, benefits and prescription drug coverage.

Open Enrollment is a good time to think ahead and make sure your health plan supports your future needs. Do not delay; start reviewing Medicare plan options at Medicare.gov.

Stay Alert for Medicare Fraud

Be cautious about Medicare fraud during Open Enrollment, when scammers may try to take advantage of the season. They may pose as Medicare or an insurance company in an effort to steal personal information.

Keep in mind that Medicare will never contact you out of the blue. If someone you do not know calls, texts or emails you about Medicare, hang up or delete the message. Staying alert can help stop fraud before it starts.

If you suspect Medicare fraud, report it right away to Medicare at Medicare.gov/fraud or by calling 1-800-MEDICARE. Never share your Medicare Number, Social Security Number or financial information with anyone you do not know.

Information provided by the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services.

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