Medicare Open Enrollment Season Is Here: What You Need to Know

The open enrollment season for Medicare began on October 15 and will run through December 7. That means now is the time for you to review the plans and make decisions based on your current health care needs.

Plans change every year. What worked for you during the 2019 enrollment period may not be the best choice this year. It’s critical that you consider your own life changes, too. A lot has happened in 2020, to say the least. You need to be prepared for what the coming year will bring based on those health changes.

We’ve put together a few tips to help you navigate open enrollment.

1. Think About What You Want From Your Plan

Do you want better prescription drug coverage? Or maybe you want to save money? We can help you determine the best plans for either of those priorities. You may want something as simple as a higher-quality plan, which involves switching from a one- or two-star plan to a five-star plan. Identifying your goals ahead of time will give you a smoother experience.

2. Pay Close Attention to Prescription Coverage

Too many people switch their plans in the fall and are shocked to be confronted by a huge increase in cost when they go to fill a prescription for the first time in January. Talk to someone about how your prescription prices might rise or fall depending on the plan you select.

3. Check Your Annual Notice From Your Carrier

Your plan should have sent an advance notice by September 30 informing you of any changes in the current plan. Look over the notice so you can see what’s new. If you don’t remember getting it, check your spam folder (many plans send these notices by email) or contact your carrier to request a resend.

The deductible may also change. Make sure you can afford to cover it, otherwise you may be in trouble if you run into a serious problem.

4. Know Where to Go for Help

You can find organizations like Go Comprehensive that can help you find the right plan. But choose who you work with carefully. Some groups only care about making a sale. You want to work with someone who cares about your health care and your future. Here’s why so many people use our Medicare clarity services:

· We offer free consultations with Central PA residents.

· We listen to all of your concerns.

· We create a custom analysis based on your medication and provider check to see what plan works best to reach your unique goals.

We always put our clients’ needs above everything else. We would never recommend a plan that’s better for us than it is for you. Make sure you do your homework on whatever partner you choose — ask for testimonials.

Remember, if you look at everything and you decide you don’t want any change in your coverage, you can keep your existing plan without taking any action at all.

Get in touch with Jay today to discuss your options and find the plan that benefits you the most.