Five and a half-ish things to know about Medicare Open Enrollment

Five and a half-ish things to know about Medicare Open Enrollment -

Although it may seem too early to Medicare open enrollment, it past. Here are five things you should know about this open enrollment period include:

1. Changes date for the Medicare open enrollment period This year, open enrollment only lasts from October 15 to December 7 -. Completely different from previous years and from a month earlier than normal. Meanwhile, eligible individuals can join, drop or change a Medicare Advantage plan or Part D for 2012.

2. Read all the information in your health insurer to learn on the changes of regime If you currently have a Medicare Advantage plan or part D, read all notifications that your health insurance company sends you -. Specifically the annual change of opinion. These notifications will tell you if you will pay more each month for the same plan, if there is a maximum-out-of-pocket change, you are responsible for the payment or if the plan is no longer available. Part D Plans are known to vary widely between years and some Medicare Advantage plans are no longer available.

3. Understand why Medicare open enrollment is important. Medicare open enrollment is extremely important for anyone who wants to sign up for Medicare Advantage plan or Part D for the first time, modify or abandon their current plan. If someone misses open enrollment, they will be stuck with their coverage for the following year or will pay more for the same coverage.

4. There are changes to Medicare reform health care Regarding the reform of health care remember :.

a. Prevention services are now free for those eligible for Medicare.

b. From January 2012, people who enrolled for a Medicare Advantage plan in 2011 can choose to register and pay in traditional Medicare services. In other words, people outside of the open enrollment period can not switch from one Medicare Advantage Plan to another Medicare Advantage plan.

5. Choose a plan with affordable coverage for prescription drugs can help with compliance. When reviewing your health insurance options, get familiar with the out-pocket costs for prescription drugs, especially for all that you are currently taking. If the pocket-off costs are too, some people will jump medication or do not follow the doctor's instructions, which causes more long-term problems.

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