New Dates for Medicare Open Enrollment

 

Careful! Starting this year, the Medicare Fall Open Enrollment Period begins on October 15 and lasts through December 7. This is a change from previous years, when the enrollment period began in November and ended on December 31. Those used to waiting until the end of December need to be alert or risk missing this opportunity. Changes made during Open Enrollment will take effect on January 1, 2012.

Every year, the Medicare Rights Center advises people with Medicare to carefully consider how they get their Medicare benefits; most people are allowed to make a change only during Fall Open Enrollment. Certain universal advice applies, no matter what Medicare coverage you have:

• You should review all of your coverage options even if you are happy with your current coverage, because plans change their costs and benefits every year.
• Read your Annual Notice of Change (ANOC), which you should receive by September 30. It will list the changes in your plan, such as the premium and copays, and will compare the benefits in 2012 with those in 2011. It is very important that you read your ANOC and consider all of your options, since many plans make changes every year, and your current plan may not be your best choice for 2012.
• Shop around to find a plan that best meets your needs and makes the most financial sense to you.
• If you decide to enroll in a new plan, do so by calling 800-MEDICARE rather than the plan itself.

For detailed advice for different scenarios see Fall Open Enrollment Period: A Resource for Journalists from the Medicare Rights Center.

-From “ The Supercommittee Starts Its Work”, Medicare Watch, Medicare Rights Center, September 08, 2011.

 

 

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