Medicare Corner
Medicare’s Open Enrollment Period Review your coverage for 2023
Medicare’s Open Enrollment runs October 15 through December 7 and is the time of year when you can make certain changes to your Medicare coverage. You can make as many changes as you need to your Medicare coverage during Open Enrollment. The last change you make will take effect on January 1. Take action during Open Enrollment to ensure your coverage will meet your needs in 2023. Know the changes you can make during Medicare’s Open Enrollment The changes you can make include: • Joining a new Medicare Advantage Plan or Part D prescription drug plan • Switching from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage Plan • Switching from a Medicare Advantage Plan to Original Medicare (with or without a Part D plan) Call 1-800-MEDICARE (800-633-4227) to make changes by phone or visit Medicare.gov to compare options and enroll in some plans online. Note: If you leave a Medicare Advantage Plan to join Original Medicare, you may also be able to purchase a Medigap policy. Medigap policies help with out-of- pocket costs and only work with Original Medicare. Contact PCOA, your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP), to learn about your state-specific Medigap rights and options.
o Medicare Advantage Plans have significant flexibility in the supplemental benefits they are allowed to offer their members, including whether some benefits are offered to all members or just some members. This includes the ability to offer benefits to some members that are not directly considered medical care, like nutrition services. This means that there are many factors to consider when comparing Medicare Advantage Plan options.
Medicare Advantage and Part D plans usually change each year. Make sure that your drugs will still be covered, and your providers and pharmacies will still be in network. • If you have a Medicare Advantage Plan or a stand-alone Part D plan , read your plan’s Annual Notice of Change (ANOC) and Evidence of Coverage (EOC). o Explore other plans in your area.
You may find a cheaper plan that meets your healthcare and prescription drug needs. Research shows you can lower your costs by shopping around.
Who to contact for more information:
November 2022, Never Too Late | Page 7
Pima Council on Aging
Made with FlippingBook - Online catalogs