7 Best Tips Medicare Open Enrollment 2019
- Each year Medicare has an open enrollment period, a window of time in which you can change your coverage.
- For 2018, The Medicare annual open enrollment period is active from October 15 to December 7.
- Any changes you choose to make will go into effect January 1, 2019.
- If you’re satisfied with your current Medicare plan, you don’t need to do anything; your plan will renew automatically for 2019.
- However, plan details can change annually.
- To confirm your health care and prescription drug needs will continue to be covered, you should compare your current plan with any new plans coming out for 2019.
- Please note that if you miss the open enrollment period, you may have to wait until the following year to change plans, unless you qualify for a special enrollment period.
What You Can Do During Open Enrollment
- Switch from original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage Plan or vice versa
- Switch from one Medicare Advantage Plan to another
- Enroll in a Medicare Part D prescription drug plan
- Switch from one Medicare Part D prescription drug plan to another
- Drop your Medicare Part D prescription drug plan completely
What You Can’t Do During Open Enrollment
- You can’t use the open enrollment period to enroll in Part A and/or Part B for the first time
Are there any changes to know about the 2019 OEP?
Something that might change how you think about the Open Enrollment Period is that the individual mandate will no longer be in effect in 2019.
In late 2017, President Trump repealed the fine associated with the individual mandate, meaning that people will no longer be fined for not having ACA-compliant health insurance.
This means you can buy non-ACA-compliant plans, like short term health insurance, outside the open enrollment period and not face fines on your 2020 taxes for being uninsured. People can also choose not to have coverage at all.
But with all the affordable options out there for alternative coverage, you may find that even without the fine, you’ll be motivated to enroll in some form of health insurance coverage.
What can you do to find out more about your Medicare plan or get help comparing plans?
- Call 1-800-MEDICARE or go to gov
- Sign up direct for the drug plan through the carrier
- Work with an agent or broker
- Contact your state SHIP(State Health Insurance Assistance Program)
If you’d like further help navigating through the different parts of Medicare, you can contact Lloyd Schneider at
813-964-7100 or 716-565-1300
