{"id":8474,"date":"2024-11-24T09:37:54","date_gmt":"2024-11-24T09:37:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/finderica.com\/how-to-navigate-medicare-open-enrollment-this-year\/"},"modified":"2024-11-24T09:37:54","modified_gmt":"2024-11-24T09:37:54","slug":"how-to-navigate-medicare-open-enrollment-this-year","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/finderica.com\/?p=8474","title":{"rendered":"How to Navigate Medicare Open Enrollment This Year"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazyload clicker_number\" style=\"position: absolute; height: 1px; width: 100%\" alt=\"ScoreCard Research\" data-count=\"216.98.0.236,216.98.0.236, 172.71.151.153\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\"><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Are you getting bombarded with TV commercials and a mountain of health insurance advertisements in the mail?<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You\u2019re not the only one. It\u2019s that time of year again: Medicare open enrollment.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">During this roughly two-month period, <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Medicare beneficiaries<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> can compare and adjust their coverage. Private insurance companies aggressively advertise their plans in hopes that you\u2019ll sign up for them.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">But should you switch plans during the Medicare open enrollment period? How does the process work, and what are your options?<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In this guide, we break everything you need to know. Let\u2019s get started.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Earn Easy Money to Cover What Medicare Doesn\u2019t<\/h2>\n<div id=\"review-list-table\">\n<p class=\"review-list-table-title default\">Make Quick Cash to Pay for Expenses Medicare Doesn&#8217;t Cover                    <\/p>\n<div class=\"table-responsive\">\n<table class=\"table\">\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th style=\"text-align: left;\">Offer<\/th>\n<th style=\"text-align: left;\">What You Can Earn<\/th>\n<th style=\"text-align: left;\">What You Have to Do<\/th>\n<th><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"column_1\" style=\"text-align: left; font-weight: normal;\">Inbox Dollars<\/td>\n<td class=\"column_2\" style=\"text-align: left; font-weight: normal;\">$225\/month <\/td>\n<td class=\"column_3\" style=\"text-align: left; font-weight: normal;\">Watch Movie Previews<\/td>\n<td class=\"link_column\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"rl_cta\" href=\"https:\/\/t.thepennyhoarder.com\/aff_c?offer_id=3421&amp;aff_id=2\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">SEE DETAILS<\/a>\t\t\t\t\t<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"column_1\" style=\"text-align: left; font-weight: normal;\">Free Cash<\/td>\n<td class=\"column_2\" style=\"text-align: left; font-weight: normal;\">$1k\/month <\/td>\n<td class=\"column_3\" style=\"text-align: left; font-weight: normal;\">Simple Online Tasks<\/td>\n<td class=\"link_column\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"rl_cta\" href=\"https:\/\/t.thepennyhoarder.com\/aff_ad?campaign_id=316&amp;aff_id=2\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">SEE DETAILS<\/a>\t\t\t\t\t<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"column_1\" style=\"text-align: left; font-weight: normal;\">KashKick<\/td>\n<td class=\"column_2\" style=\"text-align: left; font-weight: normal;\">$1,000<\/td>\n<td class=\"column_3\" style=\"text-align: left; font-weight: normal;\">Try Out Apps<\/td>\n<td class=\"link_column\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"rl_cta\" href=\"https:\/\/t.thepennyhoarder.com\/aff_ad?campaign_id=314&amp;aff_id=2\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">SEE DETAILS<\/a>\t\t\t\t\t<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"column_1\" style=\"text-align: left; font-weight: normal;\">GoodLab<\/td>\n<td class=\"column_2\" style=\"text-align: left; font-weight: normal;\">Up to $3,000<\/td>\n<td class=\"column_3\" style=\"text-align: left; font-weight: normal;\">Help Cure Your Chronic Health Condition<\/td>\n<td class=\"link_column\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"rl_cta\" href=\"https:\/\/t.thepennyhoarder.com\/aff_c?offer_id=7482&amp;aff_id=2\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">SEE DETAILS<\/a>\t\t\t\t\t<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"column_1\" style=\"text-align: left; font-weight: normal;\">GoBranded<\/td>\n<td class=\"column_2\" style=\"text-align: left; font-weight: normal;\">Up to $140\/month <\/td>\n<td class=\"column_3\" style=\"text-align: left; font-weight: normal;\">Share Your Honest Opinion<\/td>\n<td class=\"link_column\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"rl_cta\" href=\"https:\/\/t.thepennyhoarder.com\/aff_c?offer_id=6653&amp;aff_id=2\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">SEE DETAILS<\/a>\t\t\t\t\t<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"column_1\" style=\"text-align: left; font-weight: normal;\">Scrambly<\/td>\n<td class=\"column_2\" style=\"text-align: left; font-weight: normal;\">Over $500\/month <\/td>\n<td class=\"column_3\" style=\"text-align: left; font-weight: normal;\">Play Games on Your Phone<\/td>\n<td class=\"link_column\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"rl_cta\" href=\"https:\/\/t.thepennyhoarder.com\/aff_c?offer_id=7509&amp;aff_id=2\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">SEE DETAILS<\/a>\t\t\t\t\t<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"column_1\" style=\"text-align: left; font-weight: normal;\">Capital One Shopping<\/td>\n<td class=\"column_2\" style=\"text-align: left; font-weight: normal;\">Save while you shop online<\/td>\n<td class=\"column_3\" style=\"text-align: left; font-weight: normal;\">Install the App<\/td>\n<td class=\"link_column\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"rl_cta\" href=\"https:\/\/t.thepennyhoarder.com\/aff_ad?campaign_id=298&amp;aff_id=2\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">SEE DETAILS<\/a>\t\t\t\t\t<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What Is Medicare Open Enrollment?<\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Medicare open enrollment, also known as the annual election period, runs from Oct. 15 through Dec. 7 each year.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It\u2019s the time when people who are already enrolled in Medicare can make changes to their plans.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you\u2019re happy with your Medicare coverage, you don\u2019t need to do anything. You don\u2019t need to \u201crenew\u201d your coverage.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">During open enrollment, you can:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Switch from Original Medicare to Medicare Advantage or vice versa.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Switch to a different Medicare Advantage plan.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sign up for Part D if you didn\u2019t enroll when you first became eligible.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Change to a different Part D plan.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Whatever changes you make will go into effect Jan. 1. So if you make changes during the 2024 open enrollment period, your new benefits will kick in January 2025.<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"adBorder\" id=\"thepe-613328208\">\n<h3>When Insurance Falls Short\u2026<\/h3>\n<p>Unfortunately, insurance doesn\u2019t cover <em>everything<\/em>. <a href=\"https:\/\/partners.thepennyhoarder.com\/when-money-is-tight-sdyn-prt\/?aff_id=384&amp;aff_sub3=when-money-is-tight-sdyn-prt\/&amp;aff_sub4=191454\" rel=\"false noopener\" target=\"_blank\">These resources<\/a> can help you manage those unexpected expenses.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How Do You Sign Up for a New Plan During Open Enrollment?<\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There are two ways you can enroll in a new plan during Medicare open enrollment.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Use the online <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.medicare.gov\/plan-compare\/#\/?year=2022&amp;lang=en\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b>Medicare plan finder tool<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Call Medicare\u2019s helpline at 800-633-4227 (TTY: 877-486-2048) and ask the representative to conduct the same search for you.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Once you join a new plan, you\u2019ll automatically be removed from your old plan when your new coverage begins.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you go from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage plan, make sure to notify your current Medigap provider if you have one. You\u2019ll also need to contact and cancel your Medicare Part D drug plan if your new Medicare Advantage plan provides prescription drug coverage.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Use the Medicare Plan Finder to Compare Plans During Open Enrollment<\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Medicare offers an online <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.medicare.gov\/plan-compare\/#\/?year=2022&amp;lang=en\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b>plan finder tool<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> where you can shop for different Medicare Part D prescription drug plans, Medicare Advantage plans and Medigap supplement plans.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You\u2019ll enter your zip code and any financial help you might be receiving \u2014 such as Medicaid \u2014 and the tool will show you all the available plans in your area.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Click \u201cPlan Details\u201d to see the total cost of each plan, including its yearly deductible, monthly premium (if any) and copays for different services, like doctor visits, X-rays and ER visits.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you\u2019re in the market for a new Medicare Part D plan, you can also enter your prescription drug information and select up to five preferred pharmacies for customized estimates on your total out-of-pocket monthly drug costs.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Make sure to accurately enter all the medications you take into the Medicare.gov tool, including the dosages, quantity and frequency. Leaving out details can result in incorrect cost estimates.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You can review up to three different Part D or Medicare Advantage plans side-by-side and filter results by star ratings and available benefits.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Make sure to carefully review details on any plan before signing up.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How to Get Free Help With Medicare Open Enrollment<\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Have questions about signing up for a plan? A network of free federally funded programs can help.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The <\/span><b>State Health Insurance Assistance Program<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, or SHIP, is a national network of trained volunteers who provide one-on-one assistance, counseling and education to Medicare beneficiaries and their families.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Each state uses federal grant money to administer its own SHIP, which can go by different names \u2014 like SHINE in Florida or SHIBA in Idaho.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Here\u2019s how a SHIP counselor can help you during the open enrollment period:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Discuss your health insurance coverage and prescription drug plan options.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">See if you qualify for assistance programs based on your income.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Answer open enrollment questions.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Help you navigate Medicare late enrollment penalties.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You can find your SHIP by using the online <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.shiphelp.org\/about-medicare\/regional-ship-location\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b>SHIP Regional Locator<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> tool. Or you can call the national network hotline at 1-877-839-2675.<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"adBorder\" id=\"thepe-1386624649\">\n<h3>Can You Survive 10 Days of Budgeting?<\/h3>\n<p>If you need to wrangle your budget, it may be time to consider a savings challenge. Our\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/partners.thepennyhoarder.com\/organize-your-finances-prt\/?aff_id=384&amp;aff_sub3=organize-your-finances-prt\/&amp;aff_sub4=191763\" rel=\"false noopener\" target=\"_blank\">10-Day Savings Challenge<\/a>\u00a0will teach you how to make your money work for you with a high-yield savings account, stop overpaying on Amazon, earn money for trying out apps or watching movie previews and more.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/partners.thepennyhoarder.com\/organize-your-finances-prt\/?aff_id=384&amp;aff_sub3=organize-your-finances-prt\/&amp;aff_sub4=191763\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Start saving now<\/a>!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How Do You Find Out What Medicare Coverage You Have?<\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Not sure if you\u2019re enrolled in Original Medicare or Medicare Advantage? Can\u2019t remember the name of your Part D plan provider?<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You can log on to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.medicare.gov\/account\/login\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b>MyMedicare.gov<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to find out.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">MyMedicare.gov is your all-in-one health insurance portal. You can see which Medicare plans offered by private insurance companies you\u2019re enrolled in (such as a Medicare Advantage plan or a standalone Medicare Part D plan), along with limited coverage details.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you don\u2019t already have a MyMedicare account it\u2019s quick and easy to set one up. You can also see if you <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.medicare.gov\/account\/find-my-account\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b>already have an account<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>How to Create a MyMedicare.gov Account<\/b><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Go to the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.medicare.gov\/account\/create-account\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b>Create an Account<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> page at Medicare.gov.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Type in your Medicare number and your Part A or Part B start date. (You can find this on your Medicare card or by logging in to your <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ssa.gov\/myaccount\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b>online Social Security<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> account.) Click Next.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Type in your last name, birth date, zip code and email address. Accept the terms and conditions, then click Next.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Create a username and password, then click Create an Account.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Login to your MyMedicare account.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Once you log in, you\u2019ll see information about your Medicare plan enrollment and eligibility information. This information can help inform your decisions during the fall open enrollment period.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It\u2019s free to set up your MyMedicare account. The site is administered by the U.S. Centers for Medicare &amp; Medicaid Services \u2014 a part of the federal government.<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-block-image size-large wp-image-169279\">\n<figure class=\"alignright\"><img loading=\"lazy\" fetchpriority=\"high\" loading=\"lazy\" fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.thepennyhoarder.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/16101500\/medicare-open-entrollment-final-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"A retired couple have fun on a bicycle. The man pushes his wife on the bicycle.\" class=\"lazyload wp-image-169279\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.thepennyhoarder.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/16101500\/medicare-open-entrollment-final-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.thepennyhoarder.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/16101500\/medicare-open-entrollment-final-360x240.jpg 360w, https:\/\/cdn.thepennyhoarder.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/16101500\/medicare-open-entrollment-final-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/cdn.thepennyhoarder.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/16101500\/medicare-open-entrollment-final-100x67.jpg 100w, https:\/\/cdn.thepennyhoarder.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/16101500\/medicare-open-entrollment-final-222x148.jpg 222w, https:\/\/cdn.thepennyhoarder.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/16101500\/medicare-open-entrollment-final-314x209.jpg 314w, https:\/\/cdn.thepennyhoarder.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/16101500\/medicare-open-entrollment-final-363x242.jpg 363w, https:\/\/cdn.thepennyhoarder.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/16101500\/medicare-open-entrollment-final-467x311.jpg 467w, https:\/\/cdn.thepennyhoarder.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/16101500\/medicare-open-entrollment-final-649x433.jpg 649w, https:\/\/cdn.thepennyhoarder.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/16101500\/medicare-open-entrollment-final-750x500.jpg 750w, https:\/\/cdn.thepennyhoarder.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/16101500\/medicare-open-entrollment-final-793x529.jpg 793w, https:\/\/cdn.thepennyhoarder.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/16101500\/medicare-open-entrollment-final-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/cdn.thepennyhoarder.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/16101500\/medicare-open-entrollment-final.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What Are Your Medicare Coverage Options During Open Enrollment?<\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Your choices during the open enrollment period depend on the type of Medicare coverage you have: Original Medicare or Medicare Advantage.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If You Have Original Medicare<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Original Medicare consists of Medicare Part A (hospital insurance) and Medicare Part B (medical insurance).<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Everyone is enrolled in Original Medicare when they join the program. You\u2019ll pay a monthly premium for Part B coverage.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You\u2019ll need to buy prescription drug coverage from a separate Part D plan. You may also buy a Medigap supplement insurance plan to help pay for out-of-pocket costs Original Medicare doesn\u2019t cover.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">During open enrollment you can:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Switch from Original Medicare to Medicare Advantage.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sign up for Part D drug plan if you didn\u2019t enroll when you first became eligible.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Change to a different Part D plan.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cancel your Part D coverage.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Part D Coverage<\/span><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Part D prescription drug coverage is technically optional. But going without it or signing up late can result in a costly <\/span><b>late enrollment penalty<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Part D prescription drug plans change their formularies, or the list of drugs they cover, each year. That\u2019s why experts recommend reviewing your Part D benefits and coverage once a year to ensure you\u2019re getting the best value.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Medicare Plan Finder tool lets you input your specific medications so you can side-by-side compare the total cost for a Part D drug plan, including monthly premiums, yearly deductibles and drug costs.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You Have a Medicare Advantage Plan<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Medicare Part C, better known as Medicare Advantage, is an all-in-one alternative to Original Medicare. Medicare Advantage plans are sold by private insurance companies.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Most Medicare Advantage plans bundle in Part D prescription drug coverage, allowing you to get all your Medicare benefits in a single plan.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Many include additional benefits Original Medicare doesn\u2019t cover, like hearing, dental and vision coverage.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">During open enrollment you can:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Switch back to Original Medicare.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Switch to a different Medicare Advantage plan.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You\u2019ll pay a separate premium for your Medicare Advantage plan in addition to your monthly Part B premium. Some Medicare Advantage plans have $0 premiums for those that qualify, but you\u2019ll still owe your Part B premium.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Medicare Advantage plans also restrict you to a specific network of doctors.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Make sure to review your copays for a Medicare Advantage plan, including how much you\u2019ll pay out-of-pocket for ER visits, ambulance rides and inpatient care.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What You Can\u2019t Do During Open Enrollment<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You can\u2019t sign up for Medicare during open enrollment. Open enrollment is only for people already enrolled in Medicare.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you didn\u2019t sign up for Medicare when you were first eligible (during your initial enrollment period), you get another chance to do so \u2014 but not during open enrollment.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Instead, you can sign up during what\u2019s known as the general enrollment period, which runs from Jan. 1 to March 31 each year.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you enroll in Medicare for the first time during the general enrollment period, your coverage starts July 1.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Open enrollment also isn\u2019t the time to change your Medigap coverage.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The best time to sign up for a Medigap plan is during the first six months you\u2019re first eligible for Medicare around your 65th birthday.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">After that six-month window, Medigap insurance companies can deny you coverage or charge you much higher rates for a policy.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Should You Switch to a New Plan During Open Enrollment?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Private insurance companies \u2014 they administer Medicare Advantage and standalone Part D plans \u2014 tweak coverage and costs every year.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">They might drop coverage for certain prescription drugs, increase or decrease their out-of-pocket maximums or change their pricing structure for different services, like copay amounts at the doctor\u2019s office.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As a result, you might be paying significantly more for health care just by sticking with your current Medicare coverage.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Or you may have started taking a new medication your current Part D drug plan doesn\u2019t cover, or you want to check out other Medicare Advantage plans in your area.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The truth is not shopping around at least once a year can mean overspending on Medicare, experts say.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cIn addition to potentially better meeting their health care needs, reviewing plans annually can help save money because plan costs fluctuate regularly,\u201d said Rebecca Kinney, director of the Office of Healthcare Information and Counseling for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services\u2019 Administration for Community Living.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If there are changes to a plan\u2019s benefits or coverage, the provider is required to send you a letter known as the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.medicare.gov\/basics\/forms-publications-mailings\/mailings\/costs-and-coverage\/upcoming-plan-changes\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b>Annual Notice of Change<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in September.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The notice explains what changes to premiums, deductibles, copays and coverage the plan will make next year.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you\u2019re happy with your Medicare coverage and nothing is changing, then stick with your current plan.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you don\u2019t make any changes during open enrollment, your current coverage simply rolls over into the next year.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">But if changes are on the horizon, or you feel like you\u2019re paying too much for your coverage, shopping around is a smart decision.<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"adBorder\" id=\"thepe-27924300\">\n<h3>Need a Hand With Bills?<\/h3>\n<p>Listen, we know it\u2019s tough out there. But there\u2019s no shame in asking for help.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/partners.thepennyhoarder.com\/ask-for-money-sdyn-prt\/?aff_id=384&amp;aff_sub3=ask-for-money-sdyn-prt\/&amp;aff_sub4=191831\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">These companies<\/a> make it easy to help yourself and your bank account.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Rachel Christian is a Certified Educator in Personal Finance and a former senior writer for The SS.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p>        <!-- ACF Financial Disclaimer --><\/p>\n<p>        <!-- End ACF Financial Disclaimer --><\/p>\n<p>        <!-- \n\n<div class=\"single-social-share-bottom text-center\"> --><br \/>\n                    <!-- <\/div>\n\n --><\/p>\n<p>        <!-- Newsletter Signup Form --><\/p>\n<div class=\"newsletter-signup-wrapper-for-digioh\">\n<div class=\"col-xs-12 newsletter-wrap flex-row\">\n<div class=\"container flex-container\">\n<div class=\"col-xs-12 new-newsletter-form\">\n<p class=\"text-subheading\">Ready to stop worrying about money?<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-get-daily\">Get the SS Daily<\/p>\n<p class=\"email-privacy-policy-blurb-white\">\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>        <!-- End Newsletter Signup Form --><\/p><\/div>\n<p><script type=\"text\/javascript\" id=\"wp-fcapi-js-before\">\n\/* <![CDATA[ *\/\n!function(f,b,e,v,n,t,s)\n{if(f.fbq)return;n=f.fbq=function(){n.callMethod?\nn.callMethod.apply(n,arguments):n.queue.push(arguments)};\nif(!f._fbq)f._fbq=n;n.push=n;n.loaded=!0;n.version='2.0';\nn.queue=[];t=b.createElement(e);t.async=!0;\nt.src=v;s=b.getElementsByTagName(e)[0];\ns.parentNode.insertBefore(t,s)}(window, document,'script',\n'https:\/\/connect.facebook.net\/en_US\/fbevents.js');\nfbq('init', '263664193816679');\n\/* ]]> *\/\n<\/script><br \/>\n<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thepennyhoarder.com\/insurance\/medicare-open-enrollment\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Are you getting bombarded with TV commercials and a mountain of health insurance advertisements in the mail? You\u2019re not the only one. It\u2019s that time of year again: Medicare open enrollment. During this roughly two-month period, Medicare beneficiaries can compare and adjust their coverage. 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