Lynne Jones
January 1 through March 31 is the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (MA OEP).
During this time, Medicare Advantage eligible beneficiaries are able to change their plan, or elect Original Medicare and coverage under Part D. Changes are effective the first of the following month.
Unlike the fall Open Enrollment Period, which allows beneficiaries to make any number of changes to their coverage (with the final change taking effect January 1 of the following year), beneficiaries are only able to make one change during the MA OEP.
So why would you want to switch to a different Medicare Advantage plan? You may have joined a plan last year that you have decided you no longer want, or your doctor may have switched what plans they accept.
Also, many advantage plans include coverage beyond Original Medicare (Part A and Part B). For example, most plans include prescription drug coverage, and some include routine vision services or other benefits. These extra benefits can change year to year. For example, some plans include a hearing aid benefit that you may need that your current plan does not offer.
If you would like to confirm that you are on the correct plan, or have questions about your plan, please feel free to call me. If you are turning 65 this year, it is not too early to start to understand the rules and facts of Medicare. I can help you understand the rules of the road.
Call Lynne Jones, a licensed sales person, at (480) 212-2246.