By Karen Courtney, Director of Programs, CareWell Services
January 1-March 31 is the annual General Enrollment Period for Medicare Parts A and B.
When you sign up for Part B medical coverage during open enrollment, your coverage begins the first day of the month after you enroll. You may have to pay higher premiums for late enrollment unless you qualify for Medicaid. Enroll through Social Security or their website.
January 1-March 31 Medicare Advantage plan users can switch either to a different Medicare Advantage Plan, or return to Original Medicare.
Please verify that all your specialists, doctors, AND THE LOCAL HOSPITAL participate with your specific Medicare Advantage plan. Advantage plans do have copays for services, so expect to get medical bills up to the plans maximum annual out of pocket amount.
Don’t fall for commercials that inadvertently and unnecessarily cost more. Many retiree Medicare Advantage plans have lower annual maximum out of pocket amounts than the general public’s Medicare Advantage plans, so consider carefully before abandoning your retiree plan for a general public plan. You might be unable to ever go back to your retiree plan. Caregivers should be extra alert to public insurance sellers interacting with elders when a retirement plan or federal insurance is involved.
If you are still working when you become Medicare eligible, check with your employer or union to find out how your workplace coverage works with Medicare. Employer Medicare plans are beyond the scope of training for MMAP counselors, so it is up to you as a consumer to navigate those.
MMAP counselors can help you navigate Medicare! Call 1-800-803-7174.
