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Dear Marci, I’m not satisfied with my Medicare Advantage Plan, and I’d like to switch either to another plan or go back to Original Medicare. When is it permissible for me to make a change? – Winifred (Pearland, TX) Dear Winifred, There are several conditions and time periods under which you can change your Medicare Advantage Plan. If you want to switch from one Medicare Advantage Plan to another, you can switch plans during Fall Open Enrollment, which runs from October 15 to December 7 each year, with your new coverage taking effect on January 1. Research shows that people with Part D or Medicare Advantage Plans could lower their costs by shopping among plans each year. For example, a plan in your area may cover the drugs you take with fewer restrictions and charge you less. Each fall, your Medicare Advantage Plan should send you an Annual Notice of Change (ANOC) or Evidence of Coverage (EOC) notice explaining any plan changes for the coming year. Review this notice to understand your plan’s costs, covered services, and rules. If you choose a new Medicare Advantage Plan, review the costs associated with that plan for the coming year. You may want to check the availability of plans in your area by calling 1-800-MEDICARE or going to Medicare Plan Finder (www.medicare.gov/find-a-plan). You will be able to compare plans by their quality ratings stars and find other data about plans. Once you select a plan that meets your health care coverage needs, it is a good idea to reach out to the plan to verify that the costs and coverage data you researched is current. If you find that you are not satisfied with your Medicare Advantage Plan (whether or not you enrolled in a new plan during Fall Open Enrollment), you can disenroll from that plan and switch to Original Medicare during the Medicare Advantage Disenrollment Period. This period runs from January 1 to February 14 each year. Changes made during this period are effective the first of the following month. For example, if you switched from a Medicare Advantage Plan to Original Medicare and a stand-alone Part D plan on February 10, your new coverage would begin March 1. Under certain circumstances, you may be eligible for a Special Enrollment Period (SEP) to change your health and/or drug plan outside of the usual enrollment or disenrollment periods. If you get an SEP, your new coverage will usually start the first of the month after your sign up for or disenroll from your Medicare Advantage Plan. Here are two examples of when you would qualify for an SEP:
– Marci |
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The Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation notes that while substance abuse and alcoholism is a problem many don’t attribute to older people, it’s “an invisible epidemic,” affecting up to 17% of older adults. There is evidence that older people are able to treat their substance abuse as well as younger individuals. Getting treatment with the help of a professional can lead to direct health benefits, improved cognition, more independent living, more and better social connectedness, and new hobbies. How can you tell if someone has a problem with substance abuse? Many older people avoid high bar prices and nighttime driving so they can drink or use substances at home. If someone visits them unexpectedly, they may claim ill health as an excuse not to answer the door. For more problem signs and tips on how to help, access the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation’s fact sheet on How to Talk to an Older Person Who Has a Problem with Alcohol or Medications. |
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