Has this happened to you? You’re happy with your Medicare Advantage plan, but upon your first visit this year to your doctor, it’s revealed that they decided not to continue participating with your plan. Don’t panic. CareWell Services has you covered. Every year from January 1 through March 31, you are allowed to change your Medicare Advantage plan, if you are already on one. It’s a special enrollment period just for you.
Why? Because sometimes the scenario above happens, or other benefits have changed which make it no longer the optimum plan for you. Perhaps you were faced with increased pricing when picking up your prescriptions in January. Perhaps you found out that the plan no longer covers vision or hearing aids (one company eliminated those benefits this year). Maybe you chose a plan that a friend or loved one suggested, only to realize what works beautifully for them doesn’t work for your health conditions at all. Or maybe, you’re just curious to see if there’s a better plan out there but didn’t have time to visit during the Annual Open Enrollment period right before the holidays.
Every September, your insurance provider sends you an Annual Notice of Change. It tells you, line by line, of all upcoming changes. These notices can be hard to understand. That’s why we’re here. Counselors from the State Health Insurance Program (SHIP) provide unbiased counseling, unaffiliated with any of the insurance companies. Their objective is to find the policy that best suits your healthcare needs and budget, to provide the most comprehensive care at the lowest cost, so you can select what’s best for you.
Most Medicare Advantage Plans have zero-dollar monthly premiums, but their copays, deductibles, prescription, and max out-of-pocket costs can vary widely. So, if you need help to figure it all out, call CareWell Services to speak with a SHIP counselor. We’re happy to help!
SHIP, formerly known as MMAP, has offices in every Michigan county. Call today! Statewide number: 800-803-7174. SHIP is a free, unbiased Medicare counseling service provided to you via local, state, and federal grants.