Medicare’s Open Enrollment Period Takes Place October 15 through December 7
The Medicare Rights Center urges everyone with Medicare who is enrolled in a private Medicare Advantage health plan or Part D prescription drug plan to use the Fall Open Enrollment Period to review their coverage. Because plans make changes to their benefit packages every year, even people who are currently satisfied with their plan should review their coverage. Those enrolled in Original Medicare can also decide to switch to a private plan or choose a new stand-alone drug plan at this time.
During the Fall Open Enrollment Period, Medicare beneficiaries have the right to make as many changes as they need, and the last change they make on or before December 7, 2015 will go into effect on January 1, 2016. To review their coverage options, beneficiaries can use the Medicare Plan Finder tool at www.medicare.gov or call 1-800-MEDICARE. Plan Finder makes available important information about health and prescription drug plans, including information about pharmacy networks, cost sharing, and coverage rules.
Medicare Rights recommends that beneficiaries call their current plan or any plan that they are considering to confirm the information they pull from Plan Finder. As a best practice, beneficiaries should keep a record of their conversations with plan representatives. Additionally, Medicare Rights recommends enrolling in a plan by calling 1-800-MEDICARE rather than the plan itself.
For a list of questions to ask before joining a Medicare Advantage or Part D plan, visit Medicare Interactive. Beneficiaries who prefer to speak with a counselor can call the Medicare Rights Center’s toll-free helpline at 800-333-4114. Counselors are available Monday through Friday.
State Health Insurance Assistance Programs (SHIPs) also provide free counseling services. To find your local SHIP, go to www.shiptacenter.org/.