If you need to make changes to your Medicare coverage for the upcoming year, mark your calendar for December 6th! It’s when the 2020 Medicare Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) will end.

After that date, you will not be able to make changes to your existing Medicare coverage until next October.

In case you’ve been thinking about making changes to your existing Medicare plan, now is the time to take action!

Book your appointment as soon as possible

While December 6th may seem a ways off, November is a busy month for everyone, including your plan providers.

Additionally, Thanksgiving falls on the 28th of this year, a little over a week before the end of AEP.

If we factor in weekends, the available time for getting an appointment and processing your application starts to narrow.

Get in early to get the one-on-one attention you deserve

During AEP, your carrier’s calendar fills up fast and they get strapped for time. Each application is time-intensive, requiring much more than a simple phone call or filling out a form.

During your scheduled appointment, your plan specialist will discuss your existing benefits and any Medicare changes that may affect your plan. For instance, this year, some beneficiaries may not qualify for Medicare Plan F.

Once you and your plan specialist have worked out what you need, they’ll submit any plan changes. The insurance carrier must then approve the application.

If any adjustments need to be made, your plan specialist will let you know, discuss your options, and resubmit your application.

The AEP application process—from your consultation to plan approval—must be completed by December 6th.

How to prepare for your Medicare plan call

Once you have a scheduled appointment with your plan provider, take some time to prepare for your AEP appointment.

After all, Medicare can get complicated. That includes understanding plan changes you can make during AEP 2020.

Here are some questions to consider:

Have you had the same plan for two or more years?

It’s easy to get comfortable with an existing plan. Maybe you receive the Annual Notice of Change letter each year and figure you don’t need to make any changes.

However, your health needs may have changed—or improved. Maybe you no longer take medication because your health improved. By revisiting your prescription drug plan, you may be able to adjust your benefits and save some money on coverage costs.

Were you happy with your coverage last year?

If you made changes to your plan last AEP or started receiving Medicare benefits for the first time, you may want to assess how well your insurance plan held up.

Did you have enough coverage? Are you comfortable paying the same deductibles for another twelve months? Were there any surprises? Make a note of your experiences and share them with your plan specialist.

Are there additional services or medications you may need this year?

Maybe you and your medical provider are monitoring a health condition. Now is an excellent time to talk to your physician about a timeline for treating it.

If you decide to take action this year, you will want to make sure you have the right coverage.

Also, if you wish to make changes to your Medicare benefits, make sure your healthcare provider will accept your new plan.

Taking charge of your healthcare

If you’ve decided your Medicare benefits are working well for you, that’s great! However, should you want to make any changes to your existing coverage, you must make an appointment with your plan specialist as soon as possible.

The MySeniorHealthPlan.com team can answer all your questions and guide you through the process. Call today toll free: 877.255.6273

What: Medicare Annual Enrollment Period (AEP)
Also known as the Annual Election Period or Medicare Open Enrollment

When: October 15 through December 7, 2019

Medicare beneficiaries have one guaranteed chance to make changes to their Medicare enrollment each year — the Medicare Annual Enrollment Period from October 15th through December 7th. During this period, you can:

Enroll in a Medicare Advantage Plan
Enroll in a Part D Prescription Drug Plan
Drop a Part C or D Plan

Understanding the Medicare Parts

Original Medicare — Parts A & B

Original Medicare, the coverage offered by the federal government, includes coverage for some hospital services, as well as preventative and medically necessary care. It does not include coverage for prescription drugs, vision, dental, and a number of other categories. You only have to enroll in this coverage once, when you are initially eligible by turning 65or through having a disability, end-stage renal disease, or ALS.

Medicare Advantage — Part C

Medicare Advantage Plansare offered by private insurance companies that are contracted with the federal government. These plans include the same coverage as Original Medicare, and many plans also offer additional benefits like vision, dental, hearing, fitness, and wellness. Some also offer prescription drug coverage, which is critical for many people.

Prescription Drug Plans — Part D

Individuals who are enrolled in just Original Medicare or a Part C plan without prescription drug coverage may also enroll in a Part D plan, which offers only prescription drug coverage.

Changing Plans During AEP

The Medicare Annual Enrollment Periodis a great time to find out what new Medicare plans or benefits might be offered in your area. If you’re covered by Original Medicare only, you may be able to gain benefits like vision, dental, hearing, fitness, and prescription drug coverage by enrolling in a Medicare Advantage Plan. Some of those plans may be available with $0 premiums, copays, and deductibles, making it possible to get more benefits at no additional cost.

If you’re already enrolled in a Medicare Advantage Plan, the Annual Enrollment Period is an opportunity to find out what other Medicare Advantage Plans are available in your area. Plan benefits change each year, so there may be a plan that’s now better suited to you.

New Medicare Advantage Benefits in 2020

Due to updated regulations in 2019 from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), insurance providers can now offer a wider range of benefits with Medicare Advantage plans in 2020, including things like:

Home helpers/in-home support
Transportation
Meal delivery
Safety/assistive devices
Day center visits
Fitness membership

Several of these additions improve coverage for long-term care and at-home support, which have long been areas where there was little or no Medicare coverage. Review the Medicare Advantage plans in your area to discover if these benefits are available for you.

AEP and Dual Eligibility

Some Medicare beneficiaries are also eligible for Medicaid through their states. These individuals are considered dual eligible and may be qualified for additional assistance with Medicare costs, such as premiums and prescription drugs.

Individuals who are dual eligible can also enroll in Medicare Advantage plans called Special Needs Plans (SNPs). If you are uncertain about your Medicaid eligibility, the Annual Enrollment Period is a good time to look at Medicaid information in your state and make sure you’re not missing out on benefits or assistance you could be receiving.

Medicare Annual Enrollment Period Resources

Medicare AEP Toolkit

You can learn more about this enrollment period with easyMedicare.com’s Annual Enrollment Period Toolkit. This convenient online resource includes information on how to prepare for AEP, a guide to this enrollment period, and answers to frequently asked questions.

Online Enrollment Portal

You can easily enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan during the Annual Enrollment Period using the Medicare Online Enrollment Portal. Use your zip code to search for plans in your area, choose plans to compare side-by-side, and then follow the guided process to enroll in the plan of your choice.

The portal includes plans from a number of top carriers, like Humana, United Healthcare (UHC), and WellCare. It is available 24/7 — no waiting on hold or trying to schedule a callback from an agent. The site is designed with high-contrast adjustable text for your ease of use. It is also equipped with SSL encryption to protect your personal information.

Summary

The Medicare Annual Enrollment Period occurs October 15 through December 7. This enrollment period is critical to your healthcare coverage for 2020 and you may be able to save money, receive additional assistance, or gain new benefits by enrolling in a Medicare Advantage plan during this time. The Medicare AEP Toolkit is a resource for additional information about taking advantage of this enrollment period. You can easily enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan through the Medicare Online Enrollment Portal.

By the easyMedicare.com Team

easyMedicare.com is an independent digital insurance marketplace providing individuals the ability to purchase Medicare insurance from the comfort of their homes. The company has proudly served tens of thousands of people across the United States.

AEP

When Does Medicare Annual Enrollment Period End? Soon!