Medicare open enrollment ends Dec. 7, 2016

AARP encourages Medicare beneficiaries to read their annual Notice of Change and to review their health and prescription drug plan options for 2017 during   Medicare Open Enrollment, which ends Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2016. Given the trend in high prescription medication prices, consumers are advised to pay close attention to their Medicare Part D drug plan options to help save money.

 

Medicare plans often change their cost-sharing and coverage benefits every year. However, insurers must notify all their enrollees of any plan changes for the coming year before the end of September. AARP strongly recommends that people read these Notices of Change carefully, compare their current plan with other available plans, and change to a different plan during open enrollment if it better meets their current needs. People satisfied with their current coverage do not need to do anything because reenrollment will occur automatically.

Things to Know About Medicare Open Enrollment

Changes You Can Make

Here are changes you can make during open enrollment:

• Switch from traditional Medicare to a Medicare Advantage plan, or vice versa
• Switch from one Medicare Advantage plan to another
• Switch from one stand-alone Medicare Part D prescription drug plan to another
• Drop Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage
• Join a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan if you didn’t sign up when you were first eligible

Consider the “Four C’s”

AARP recommends that people consider the “Four C’s” when reviewing Medicare plan options:

• Cost – Compare monthly premiums, annual deductibles, co-pays, and co-insurance.
• Coverage – Review the doctors and pharmacies included in the plan, as well as prescription drugs and other services you need.
• Convenience – Look at the local doctors, pharmacies, and services included in the plans.
• Customer Service – Consider the quality of service a plan provides. Quality ratings for most Medicare Advantage and Medicare Part D prescription drug plans are available at www.medicare.gov/find-a-plan.

Where to Get Help

Medicare can be very confusing to people. There are a number of resources for people to get free assistance in choosing the best Medicare plans:

• Call the Medicare help line at 1-800-633-4227.
• Use Medicare’s plan finder program at https://www.medicare.gov/find-a-plan/questions/home.aspx.
• Contact the Arkansas Senior Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP) for free personal help.

Resources

• AARP Medicare Starter Kit
• Medicare Open Enrollment and You
• Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
• Arkansas Senior Health Insurance Information Program