7 Tips Medicare Enrollment 2017

What you need to know

  • Always check their Part D plan for any significant changes. If you see a change you should enroll in a new Medicare Part D plan to begin Jan. 1, 2017.
  • Medicare Part D plans every Medicare Annual Enrollment. Plans can change benefits and the drug formulary for the next year and try to stay out of that year’s donut hole.
  • Know what Original Medicare covers,and what it doesn’t. What your Medicare Part A (in-patient hospital) deductible is and Medicare Part B (medical) that Medicare pays 80 percent of approved charges while you pay 20 percent. Medicare Part B has a once a year deductible with a monthly premium that depends on your income. Plans like Medicare Supplement and Medicare Advantage help to cover the 20 percent gap with some offering extra benefits like vision, dental, hearing or fitness memberships.
  • Medicare pays for many, but not all, healthcare services and supplies. Medicare Supplement Insurance policies (Medigap policies), sold by private companies, can help pay some of the health care costs that Medicare doesn’t cover, like copayments, coinsurance, and deductibles.

  • Not all Medicare plans are created equal. Plans and benefits differ from company to company and even state to state. Do your research especially if you will be moving to a new area.
  • Know the difference among Medicare ABC& Ds. Part A is in patient hospital coverage. Part B is for medical/outpatient coverage such as doctor visits, doctor performing surgery, outpatient surgery, X-rays, MRIs, durable medical equipment, etc. Part C is Medicare Advantage plans that combine both Part A and B benefits with some plans having Part D prescription drugs included. Part D is for prescription drugs both stand-alone plans and Medicare Advantage Plans with Part D that have the “famous” donut hole.
  • Work with a Medicare specialist to check all hidden copays or other fees that will end up costing you money.

MEDICARE OPEN ENROLLMENT – Oct. 15th – Dec. 7, 2016

MEDICARE OPEN ENROLLMENT – OCTOBER 15 – DECEMBER 7

The Annual Election Period (AEP) is an annual open enrollment period that allows Medicare participants to review their current plan and discuss changes to the plans for 2017. During AEP, you may:

  • Switch from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage plan
  • Switch from a Medicare Advantage plan back to Original Medicare
  • Switch from a Medicare Advantage plan to a different Medicare Advantage plan
  • Switch from a Medicare Advantage plan that doesn’t include drug coverage to one that does and vice versa
  • Join a Medicare prescription drug plan Switch from one Medicare prescription drug plan to another one
  • Drop your Medicare prescription drug plan

This is an excellent opportunity to update the Part D (drug) plan. You can change your Drug plan every year at this Open Enrollment. If you have new prescriptions or your current plan is changing, a different plan may work better, to cover your current and new drugs.

Let us know if you have any questions and would like to visit and review your plan to make sure it is the RIGHT plan for your present needs.

Our team of experts are excited to work with you this fall to help you achieve “health plan peace of mind” in 2017.

Contact us at 813 964 7100  or 716 565 1300to speak with one of our Medicare Experts or Visit us online HERE

Call us NOW at 813 964 7100 or 716 565 1300

Contact us ONLINE HERE