Medicare Supplemental Plans – Open Enrollment

Medicare Open Enrollment is a one-time window to enroll in any Medicare supplement plan in your area.

• According to Medicare, the best time to buy a Medicare supplement policy is during your one-time, six-month open enrollment period.
• The six-month open enrollment period begins on the first day of your birth month, or the month your Medicare Part B plan becomes effective.
• This one-time, open enrollment window lasts for only six months.
• During this open enrollment period, you have a choice in selecting the Medicare supplemental plan that is right for you.
• During your one-time, initial enrollment period, insurance companies are not allowed to ask questions regarding preexisting medical conditions, or deny coverage due to medical conditions. For this reason, it is very important to enroll during this period.
  
• After the one-time, six month enrollment period passes, insurance companies can accept or deny you based upon health issues. That is one reason why selecting a Medicare Supplement plan during open enrollment is the best time to enroll.
  

The following outline choices for plan changes during the Medicare Open Enrollment Period.

• During the annual open enrollment period, if you make no changes,  your current Medicare coverage will automatically renew.
• During this annual open enrollment period, you may enroll in a plan, leave, or change your Medicare Part D drug plan.
• You may switch from traditional Medicare to a Medicare Advantage plan.
• You may also switch from a Medicare Advantage plan back to traditional Medicare.
• At this time, you may also change from one Medicare Advantage plan to another
  

Possible reasons to change your Medicare plan during Medicare open enrollment.

• You may want to change your Medicare plan if the plan is dropping a specific  medication coverage. 
• Medication coverage changes will be announced in the Annual Notice of Change letters are mailed each year, which specifically list expected changes regarding prescription drug coverage.
• Annual Notice of Change letters must disclose any medication coverage changes, along with changing costs.
• Medication coverage changes may result in another Medicare plan becoming a better option to cover your specific medications.
• Additionally, if a Medicare Advantage plan is changing its doctor networks - a plan change may be necessary to keep your preferred doctor.
• Premium increases may also result in another plan as a better option. *Small increases in premiums should not require a change.