Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period Is Here Now
WISCONSINREPORT.COM (10/15/2014) [HEALTH] – While it may seem to some like summer never arrived, it is now fall and that means open enrollment for Medicare is here. Medicare open enrollment allows seniors to look at their existing drug and medical plans and decide whether or not to keep the coverage they have or switch to a new drug or Medicare Advantage plan.
Insurance Commissioner Ted Nickel reminds Wisconsin seniors that the Medicare open enrollment period begins on October 15 and ends December 7 this year. Seniors should review their Medicare Advantage and prescription drug plans’ coverage for 2015 now to see if those plans still meet their needs.
“Seniors shouldn’t assume that the plan they have this year will be exactly the same for 2015,” said Nickel. “Plans may change their premiums, deductibles and coinsurance. They may also add or drop physicians and hospitals from their plan or change which drugs they cover. This year, we expect to see a number of significant changes in some plans.”
Ted Nickel – Wisconsin Insurance Commissioner
People with Medicare are receiving information now from their plans about changes for 2015, including changes to premiums and cost-sharing. They should study this information carefully and determine whether staying with their current plan for 2015 is best for them.
During the open enrollment period from October 15 to December 7, 2014, people with Medicare can sign up for any Medicare Advantage or prescription drug plan offered in their area or switch to original Medicare.
The federal government has a very useful Web site (Medicare.gov) that will provide information on the Medicare Advantage plans available in an area. They can sign up for a plan from the Web site or contact the plan directly.
When considering a change in Medicare coverage, it is very important to evaluate the cost-sharing provisions of any new plan. Medicare Advantage plans have different deductibles and copayments and those differences can be quite significant. Generally, the higher the cost-sharing, the lower the premium charged by the plan. However, should an illness occur, out-of-pocket expenses will be greater.
Remember, people with Medicare do not have to change plans unless they choose to. The cheapest policy may not be the best option, so learn as much as you can about the plan you are considering before deciding.
Generally, plans that offer you more freedom in choosing providers or that cover additional benefits will cost you more, either in premiums or out-of-pocket expenses.
There are a number of places that seniors can visit for more information about Medicare, their options, and assistance. The Office of the Commissioner of Insurance (OCI) has a number of resources for seniors. Publications including Medicare Part D – Things to Know Before Signing Up and Wisconsin Guide to Health Insurance for People with Medicare are available on OCI’s Web site. Seniors can also go to Medicare’s Web site at Medicare.gov for information on this important topic.
To compare Medicare Advantage plans or to find out what plans are available in your area, you can:
Call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). TTY users should call 1-877-486-2048, or visit Medicare.gov on the Web.
Contact the Medigap Helpline at 1-800-242-1060 (Medigap Helpline) or on the Web at longtermcare.state.wi.us/.
Although Medicare Advantage plans are regulated by the federal government, the Wisconsin Office of the Commissioner of Insurance still regulates insurance agents who sell these products and their actions. If you or someone in your family is a Medicare beneficiary and you have questions regarding agent activity or wish to file a complaint involving an agent, contact OCI at 1-800-236-8517. Further information and complaint forms are also available on the OCI Web site: oci.wi.gov.
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