If you are unsatisfied with your current Medicare plan, you may be able to change it. At specific times throughout the year, Medicare provides it’s customers the opportunity to review and change their plans. In fact, Medicare actually offers a few different enrollment periods, which we find is a bit confusing to most people. In an effort to relieve some of that confusion, we would like to detail them briefly:
Annual Enrollment (November 15 – December 31)
This year’s Medicare Annual Enrollment period is quickly coming to an end, and if you haven’t yet reviewed your current Medicare plan, we urge you to do so. Medicare’s Annual Enrollment period allows anyone to join, switch, or leave a Medicare plan. This year’s period is between November 15, 2008 and December 31, 2008, which leaves you with just under a month to take advantage of the opportunity.
Each year, Medicare plans change – both on what they cover and what they cost. And Medicare understands that their customer’s medical needs change as well. By offering this annual enrollment, Medicare allows their customers to choose the Medicare plan that best matches their needs every year. They aim to provide their customers with the most appropriate and affordable Medicare plan for their unique needs.
During this year’s annual enrollment period, all Medicare policy holders should:
- Review the 2009 costs of their current drug and health plan (be sure to review premiums, co-pays, and deductibles)
- Compare the cost and coverage of your current plan to other plans available in the area.
- Make sure that the plan you choose covers the medicines and services you need, and the pharmacy and doctors you prefer.
If you are eligible for Medicare, but are not yet signed up for a policy, you will need to enroll before December 31st. Otherwise, you will have to wait until next year’s annual enrollment period. Likewise, if you are planning to drop your Medicare coverage, you will need to do so by December 31, 2008.
It is important to note that all prescription drug plan changes must be made during this annual enrollment period. If you don’t currently have prescription drug coverage, you do have the opportunity to enroll in a drug plan during this time.
Any changes made to your plan during this Annual Enrollment period will take effect on January 1.
Initial Enrollment (6 month period, depending on your birthday)
Medicare’s Initial Enrollment period is for anyone who has become newly eligible for Medicare coverage. The period lasts for 6 months, and depends entirely on your birthdate. You are able to enroll in Medicare in the 3 months before and the 3 months after your 65th birthday.
For example, if you will be turning 65 next year on June 15th, you can enroll in Medicare any time between March 15th and September 15th. If you do not enroll during this time, you will have to wait until the Annual Enrollment period (typically Nov 15-Dec 31).
Open Enrollment (January 1 – March 31)
Medicare’s Open Enrollment period is between January 1 and March 31. During the period, anyone can join, switch, or leave a Medicare Advantage Plan. These Advantage plans are the supplemental Medicare insurance plans you would receive through a private insurer, not through the Government. These plans provide coverage for the “gaps” in a traditional Medicare plan. They must be purchased in addition to Medicare Part A and Part B, and there are a variety of Medicare Advantage plans to choose from. This 3-month period is the only time you are able to join, switch, ore leave a Medicare Advantage plan. If you don’t make changes during this time, you will need to wait until the following year’s Open Enrollment.
For more information on the various Medicare plans, please see the official US Government site for Medicare.
Medicare Eligibility and Enrollment for People 65 and Older
Any U.S. citizen who is 65 or older is eligible for Medicare. If you’re already getting Social Security checks, enrollment into the program should be automatic. You’ll get your Medicare card three months before your 65th birthday. The benefits kick in on the first day of the month of your 65th birthday. You may need to purchase a Medicare Supplement to cover the gaps left by traditional medicare.
For elderly Ohio seniors, would you happen to know what a good medicare advantage plan is?
Are the plans Medicare Ohio offers the same as Medicare plans offered in other states?
Ann -
I think you should take a look at a few different Medicare Advantage plans. You can visit our Medicare supplement page or call our offices between 9 A.M. and 7 P.M. for a more in depth Medicare Advantage quote. The answer to your second question is NO, Medicare is a federal program and the Medicare Ohio residents are offered is the same Medicare that anyone else in any other state would be offered.
The Medicare open enrollment dates are also going to be the same throughout the country. Just remember that anything having to do with Prescription Drug Plans the dates are going to be November 15th – December 31st and anything having to do with Medicare Advantage plans the dates are going to be January 1st – March 31st.
medicare fee schedule Ohio – Medicaid Medicare Dayton, Ohio information can also be found at senior citizens guide. Medicare insurance Dayton Ohio resources are few and far between. I would suggest calling help 4 seniors or asking an Rx Health Quotes seniors services adviser.
Choosing a Medicare Supplement plan can be confusing. All insurance companies are required to follow Federal and state laws and they must offer standardized plans. However, not all insurance companies offer all policies and their rates may vary. It is important to evaluate the different Medigap options so that you select the plan that will best fit your health care needs.