It’s time to review your Medicare coverage…
Costs, and co-pays will increase over time. When either have increased $30.00 or more dollars, let’s review and see why this happened. You may be able to replace your coverage, and/or add benefits. Take a look at it now and be ready for enrollment periods that happen later in the year. As the time approaches, we can assist you with changes and meet deadlines. Call now for a Free review!!
Do you need Dental, Vision or Hearing coverage and have been putting that off? We can give you excellent ideas for coverage and assist you with enrollment.
Medicare doesn’t cover Long Term Care and it’s something to talk about. There are a number of very affordable ways to tackle this part of Retirement planning. Let us show you some options today.
What is the Open Enrollment Period?
The OEP runs from January 1st – March 31st, 2021. During the Medicare Open Enrollment Period, those who are eligible for Medicare have the opportunity to enroll and/or to make various changes to their Medicare coverage. For instance, during the Open Enrollment Period for Medicare, you can:
- Move from a Medicare Advantage plan (Medicare Part C) back over to Medicare Part A and B (which is also known as Original Medicare)
- Switch from one Medicare Advantage plan to another Medicare Advantage plan.
The Medicare Open Enrollment Period (OEP) differs from the Annual Enrollment Period (AEP). The AEP is the annual Medicare Advantage and Medicare Part D prescription drug plan enrollment period. During this time, which runs from October 15th through December 7th each year, Medicare enrollees can change, add, or drop Medicare Advantage coverage or their Medicare Part D drug plan. If you do so, your new coverage will begin on the following January 1st.
Being able to make such changes is beneficial for Medicare participants because Medicare health and drug plans can – and often do – make revisions and updates to their coverage, their costs, and/or to their provider networks.
For the 2021 Medicare plan year, there are some changes taking place regarding what you can do, as well as the time frame in which you have to do it.
What Changes Can Be Made During the Open Enrollment Period?
During the 2021 plan Open Enrollment Period for Medicare, you can make one plan change during the allotted time period. This means that if you are currently enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan, you can either change to a different Medicare Advantage plan, or you can change your coverage back over to Medicare Part A and Part B between January 1st, 2021 and March 31st, 2021.
Within the first quarter of 2021, you may also enroll in stand-alone Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage – but only provided that you are making a switch from a Medicare Advantage plan back over to Original Medicare.
What Changes Cannot Be Made?
While the 2021 Medicare Open Enrollment Period changes can provide you with some added flexibility, it is important to be mindful of what you are not allowed to do during this period of time. In this case, you may not change from one Medicare Part D prescription drug plan to another during the January 1st to March 31st time period.
So, if you want to make a switch from one stand-alone Part D plan to another, this will have to take place during the fall (October 15th to December 7th) Medicare Open Enrollment Period.
Why is OEP Important?
The Medicare Open Enrollment Period (OEP) is important for several reasons. First, if you are currently enrolled in a Medicare plan that does not fit your needs, it is during this time frame that you can switch to an option that more closely matches your coverage requirements.
In addition, the ability to switch from a Medicare Advantage plan back to Original Medicare coverage can also provide you with much more flexibility in terms of your benefits – particularly because there are no networks or requirements to use specific providers.
On top of that, as an Original Medicare enrollee, you can add a Medicare Supplement plan. Medicare Supplement insurance can help you to fill in the “gaps” in Original Medicare’s coverage, such as deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance costs, in turn, reducing your out-of-pocket health care expenses.
Plus, while we don’t often get “second chances” throughout our lives, the changes to the 2021 Medicare Open Enrollment can provide you with another opportunity to closely review your coverage, and to make changes that are necessary for meeting your specific needs.
How to Ensure that You Don’t Miss Out on Getting Your Medicare Coverage
In order to ensure that you get your Medicare coverage in place, it is important to know which of the available options will work the best for you and to then enroll and/or make changes within the allotted time frame.
While the Medicare enrollment details may seem a bit overwhelming, the good news is that there are experts available who can help to walk you through the process, and who can also answer any questions that you may have.
We Are Here To Help – Call 757-213-6910
Answers to your questions
We re-certify every year to keep up with all the changes that affect your decision-making regarding Medicare. The download below is the most up to date information that can help guide you through these decisions.
There are many options to medicare. This PDF will provide answers to most of your questions. Download it, look it over and then give me a call for an interview so we can determine the best plan and options for you.
Medicare Enrollment Answers
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