New Enrollment Period for 2019

---

Do you want to switch your Medicare Advantage plan? In 2019, you will have a new opportunity to do so. Starting in January you will have more time to enroll (or disenroll). We have all the details of the changes to the Medicare Advantage open enrollment period below. 

The Medicare Advantage Disenrollment Period (January 1 – February 14 every year) will be replaced with a different arrangement. This will be effective starting in 2019, according to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).

The Medicare Advantage Disenrollment Period lets you drop your Medicare Advantage plan and return to Original Medicare (Part A and Part B). It also lets you sign up for a stand-alone Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Plan.

In 2019, a new Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period will run from January 1 – March 31 every year. If you’re enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan, you’ll have a one-time opportunity to:

1. Drop your Medicare Advantage Plan and return to original Medicare.
2. Drop your stand-alone Medicare Part D Plan (Prescription Coverage)
3. Switch to a different Medicare Advantage Plan 
4. Sign up for a stand-alone Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Plan (if you return to Original Medicare). Most Medicare Advantage plans include prescription drug coverage already. Usually you can’t enroll in a stand-alone Medicare Prescription Drug plan if you already have a Medicare Advantage plan, but there are some situations where you can. Call your Medicare Advantage plan if you have questions.

Also known as Medicare Part C, Medicare Advantage plans are sold by private insurance companies and serve as an alternative way to receive your Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) benefits. Medicare Advantage plans are required to provide at least the same benefits as Original Medicare, and many plans may offer additional benefits such as routine vision and dental benefits. 

These extra benefits (beyond Part A and Part B) can change year to year. For example, suppose you take certain medications and you have a Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug plan. Your plan might cover your prescriptions. But sometimes a plan changes its formulary (list of covered medications).

Every fall, your plan will send you an Annual Notice of Change. Pay attention to this, because it lists any changes to your benefits or plan rules. When comparing Medicare Advantage plans, it’s important to consider the type of plan you want, the benefits offered and the availability of plans where you live.

Most (but not all) Medicare Advantage plans include prescription drug coverage. But Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) doesn’t include this benefit. Instead, Original Medicare may cover certain prescription drugs in specific situations, like if you’re in a hospital or clinic.

So, if you drop your Medicare Advantage plan to return to Original Medicare, you might want to enroll in a stand-alone Medicare Prescription Drug Plan. The new Medicare Advantage open enrollment period described above lets you do this.

Would you like to know more about the various Medicare open enrollment periods? I can explain them to you. To arrange a phone call with me or ask me to email you customized information, follow the links below. You can also call and talk with me. Call 856-324-3080 or 267-249-1381 Benefits, premiums and/or co-payments/co-insurance may change on January 1 of each year.