What Is Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment?

Medicare Advantage open enrollment is a one-time opportunity for someone with a Medicare Advantage plan to change coverage. Medicare Advantage open enrollment happens every year from January 1 through March 31. During this time, individuals enrolled in a Medicꦦare Advantage plan can switch to: 

• A different Medicare Advantage plan with drug coverage
• A different Medicare Advantage plan without drug coverage
• Original Medicare and a Prescription Drug (Part D) plan 
• Original Medicare without a Prescription Drug (Part D) plan

How Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Works

The Medicare Advantage open enrollment period starts on January 1 and is available to those already enrolled in a 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Medicare Advantage plan. From this point until March 31, you can make one change, such as switching to another Medicare Adv🌄a🦂ntage plan or returning to Original Medicare. 

A change made during the MA open enrollment period becomes effective on the first day of the following month. So, if you request to switch Medicare Advantage plans on January 15, you’ll start the new plan on February 1. 

In 2023, the average Medicare beneficiary had access to 43 Medicare Advantage plans available to all beneficiaries. Some beneficiar♉ies have up to 75 choices, while others have far fewer—all depen🔥ding on the county. 

Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Marketing

Starting the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Medicare Ad🌳vantage plan comparison process in the months before open enrollment begins is wise. ꧂But beware of market💝ing ploys and advertised benefits you may not use.

Recent research by the nonprofit Kaiser Family Foundation found ಌthat Medicare Advant🌱age TV ads flood the airwaves in the fall. The ads showcase celebrities, focus on benefits, and feature fit and active senior adults.

Another organization, the Medicare Rights Center, pointed out that increased Medicare Advantage plan choices and benefits can complicate decision-making for most Medicare shoppers. 

Sorting out the right MA plan for you amid the noise can confuse and overwhelm you. So, some Medicare beneficiaries skip comparison shopping and s𓄧tay with or choose a more expe𒀰nsive or less beneficial plan. Avoid the pressure by taking October through early January (or later) to compare plans. You could also seek recommendations from a financial adviser or insurance broker who represents multiple companies. 

Most Medicare Advantage enrollees select their plans for more benefits, the out-of-pocket cost limit, and recommendations by trusted people, according to The Commonwealth Fund.

Comparing Plans Before Medicare Advantage Open Enrollme♔nt

Before the open enrollment period, compare Medicare Advantage plans at Medicare.gov. You can search for plans available in your location and filter by plan type, benefits, insur🐻ance carrier, drug coverage, star ratings, and special needs plans (SNPs). On the site, you can cho꧒ose up to three plans to compare for the following features: 

• Star rating: NCQA awards 1 to 5 stars based on how well a plan provides customer service and manages chronic conditions, among other factors. 
• Monthly premiums: Costs you must pay monthly to stay in the plan
• Copays and coinsurance: Required costs to see a primary doctor or a specialist
• Coverage: Whether your doctors, facilities, pharmacies, and medication are covered
• Other costs: Such as your health 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:deductible, drug deductible, and in- and out-of-network maximum expenses
• Benefits: Such as OTC drugs, dental, and transportation
• Travel coverage: Out-of-state or international medical care if you plan to travel

Kaiser Family Foundation research shows that most Medicare Advantage plans offer dental, vision, fitness, or hearing benefits. About 80% offer over-the-counter medication and telehealth benefits. Some benefit-rich plans may also have higher fees to help cover those benefits. Other benefits include transportation, acupuncture, bathroom safety devices, and a Part B rebate.

Advan🌞tages of Switching Medicare Advantage Plans During Open Enrollment

Waiting to make a cha🔯nge until the Medicare Advantage open enro𝓰llment period gives you several months’ head start on contemplating and comparing plans. 

You might want to switch from your MA plan if you:  ജ

• Find your current Medicare Advantage plan isn’t being offered next year
• Find your current plan’s referral and plan approval process difficult, or discover other 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:MA pitfalls
• Want to change your premiums, benefits, cost-sharing, or provider networks
• Plan to travel around the U.S. more next year, and your plan doesn’t cover this
• Realize your health or financial situation has changed, and you need different coverage or benefits
• Seek a higher-star-rated plan, or want to switch a plan type from HMO to PPO or another plan
• Want different—either fewer or more—benefits such as dental or vision coverage
• Intend to switch back to Original Medicare

The disadvantages primarily include switching without considering potential downsides, such as costs, different networks, or an inability to buy a plan such as Medigap to complement your Or💧iginal Medicare plan. In addition, it can be challenging to wade through the cost and benefit information of multiple new plans.

Medicare Advan💙tage Open Enrollment🔴 vs. Medicare Open Enrollment

During Medicare open enrollment, you can change from Original Medicare to another plan and make as many changes as youꩲ need. The dates 💛are in the fall every year, with changes kicking in on January 1.

During MA op♎en enrollment, you can only make one change, and you can only switch out of an MA plan. The dates fall after the autumn Medicare open enrollment period, from January 1 to March 31. Changes take effect on the f🍌irst day of the following month after you make the changes. 

How to Prepare for Medicare Advantage Open 🅺Enrollment

1. Review your Annual Notice of Change (ANOC): The ANOC will be sent to you by email or mail by September 30. It lists your plan's changes next year, including changes in: 

• Provider, facility, and pharmacy networks
• New and discontinued benefits
• Costs, including premiums, deductibles, copays, and maximum out-of-pocket limits
• Medication formulary (list of covered drugs)
• Member ID cards

2. Read your Evidence of Coverage: Av❀ailable by October 15, this document provides more information about changes and describes a plan’s benefits, exclusions, and limitations for the coming year. 

3. Consider your financial and medical situation: Review your 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:medical expenses in retirement. Did you develop any new health conditions that might ඣrequire different coverage or benefits? Have your prescription medications c💜hanged? Does your current plan still meet your coverage and cost needs?

4. Compare different Medicare Advantage plans: Useꦚ the , call 1-800-𒊎MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227), or contact your (SHIP) for counseling and assistance. 

5.  Call a plan directly for specifics: Confirm that the plan includes your physicians, pharmacies, other providers, and drugs. Take notes that include the date and timౠe, the representative’s name, and the information shared.

6. If you decide to stay with your current plan: You don't have to do anything to keep your plan. If you don’t do anything, you’ll automatically be re-enrolled in your current Medicare Advantage plan. 

7. If you decide to change to a new Medicare Advantage plan or go to Original Medicare: You have a few ways of doing so. You can:

• Call 1‑800‑MEDICARE
• Call your state health insurance program 
• Enroll in a new Medicare Advantage plan or Medicare prescription drug plan

8. Ensure disenrollment if changing plans: You should be disenrolled from yoꦐur first Medicare Advantage plan automatically, bu🔯t check with the insurer. 

Alternatives to Medicare Advanไtage Open Enrollmenꦰt

There are three more times you can enroll or make changes to your Medicare Advantage plan, including the initial enrollment period (which is within the first three months you qualify for Medicare) and the genera🉐l open enrollment period. 

Special enrollment periods that allow you to s♏witܫch out of your Medicare Advantage plan include: 

• Medicare takes official action against your MA plan.
• You joined a MA plan in the last 12 months but want to switch back to Original Medicare.
• You want to join a Medicare Advantage plan with a 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:5-star quality rating. 
• The state took over your Medicare Advantage plan due to financial issues.
• Medicare terminated your Medicare Advantage plan contract.
• You lost or gained eligibility for 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Extra Help for prescription drugs.
• You’re in a plan with lower than a 3-star rating for the past three years.
• You recently were diagnosed with (or are no longer diagnosed with) a condition that qualifies for a Special Need Plan.

Each situation may have different plan start and plan end dates, so get help from a SHIP ಌadvisor before taking action 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

The Bottom Line

Every fall, Medicare Advantage ads start rolling in ahead of open enrollment. Marketing of extra benefits such as dental cleanings or gym members𓂃hips may distract some shoppers from core concerns, as can eye-catching advertisements focused on celebrities. 

Don’t fall prey to flashy sales pitches, Carefully review a plan’s out-of-pocket costs, provider networks, and other features and benefits long before it's time to decide whether to keep your plan, switch plans, or go to Original Medicare. As you should find most MA materials available in the fall, you can take your time reviewing plan choices before making a decision. Just remember—you can only make one change during MA open enrollment.