Medicare Open Enrollment Period for Prescription Drug Plans Runs November 15th through December 31st

November 15th through December 31st marks the Medicare annual open enrollment cycle for all current beneficiaries and takes place the end of each year. Any changes to plans that are made during this particular time period goes into effect on January 10th of the new year.

All Medicare beneficiaries can choose the traditional Medicare plan only, a Medicare supplement insurance plan, or even sign up for a Medicare prescription drug plan during this open time period.

Once the beneficiary makes a decision, they will have until March 31st of the following year to make the switch in plans. If no change is made to their plan before the March date, the current plan stays in place until the next year’s open enrollment.

All users have the option of keeping their existing Medicare Advantage plans just by doing nothing. If they choose to make changes, they can just enroll by phoning 1-800-MEDICARE or go online to Medicare.gov.

Do you know what to do before you make a decision?

First thing would be to check over your current prescription drug and health plans. Since the costs of these plans will change on an annual basis, it’s important you stay aware of your current pricing and benefits. You also are able to compare your current Medicare plan with the others and see if you have better options available to you. However, if you decide to stay with your existing plan, you don’t do anything at all. It will simply roll over and be the same when the open enrollment closes.

If you plan to make any changes to your current health plans, it’s a good idea to do that as soon as you can. That way there’s no confusion at whatever pharmacy you use once the new plans kick into effect after the first of the year in January.

When you have decided if you really want a new plan, you should choose one of the methods that follow.

Sign Up With A Paper Medicare Application: whichever company is currently handling your plan should have an application for you. All you need to do is fill it out and then return it by mail, fax, or even email.

Visit the Plan Website: go online to locate the website for whichever plan you have chosen and then use the online application form.

Go to the Medicare Website: you’ll find a variety of drug plans that are available on the official website for Medicare. There’s always a possibility the plan you want to start with may not be available online so you might have to consider another application option.

You Can Call the Company Directly: if you already have the Medicare drug plan company’s phone number you can just call them and do the enrollment by phone.

Call Medicare: this should be a last resort choice, and you’d just call 1-800-MEDICARE and do your enrollment over the phone. This choice will probably be the most time-consuming and difficult option, so keep in on the back burner as a last resort.

What information is going to be required to join a Medicare Drug Plan?

When you’ve decided to you’re ready to join, this information will be needed to complete the enrollment.

Personal information – your full name, address, date of birth, etc.

All the information that’s on your Medicare card.

The premium payment option that you’re choosing.

Any other available insurance information. Your social security number – this is optional.

Your email address – this is also optional.

A name and phone number of whoever you choose as an Emergency Contact.

If you happen to be living in a nursing home or assisted living facility, their contact information, if applicable.

After you’ve completed the Medicare application process, they will send you a packet of information from whichever company you have chosen to sign up with. The packet you will receive will have your membership card, the handbook, a list of whatever prescription drugs are covered, the directory of their approved pharmacies, the appeal or complaint procedure instructions, and any other related details for the plan.

A final suggestion would be to devote some serious time each fall to researching and choosing the best possible Medicare health insurance plan for you and your significant other. It doesn’t matter what your final choice is as long as your have taken time to compare the options available to you before making a decision.