What Can I Do During the Medicare Open Enrollment Period?
Each year from October 15 to December 7, Medicare offers you the option to make changes to your Medicare coverage.
Read moreIf you are enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan but would like to make a change, you can likely take advantage of the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period.
This Open Enrollment Period occurs each year between January 1 and March 31.
Medicare is a federal health insurance program designed for seniors aged 65 and older. Many people with qualifying disabilities also rely on this program.
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Medicare consists of several program offerings: Medicare A covers care in hospitals or similar institutions, like skilled nursing facilities. Medicare B focuses on coverage for outpatient medical care. (Together, Medicare Part A and Part B are often referred to as traditional, or original, Medicare.)
For prescription drug coverage, Part D is available, although only through private insurers.
Medicare Advantage — also known as Medicare Part C — is an alternative to traditional Medicare. These plans are available through private health insurers that contract with Medicare.
Medicare Advantage includes Medicare Parts A and B. Most Medicare Advantage plans also include prescription drug coverage.
Depending on the plan you choose, your monthly premium may also cover such extras as certain dental services, gym memberships, or meal benefits. Costs will also depend on the plan you select.
Already enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan? You can choose to take one of the following actions between January 1 and March 31:
You are not required to make any changes during this open enrollment period. However, note that if you do, you can change plans only once during this timeframe.
Meanwhile, you are not permitted do the following between the January 1 and March 31 open enrollment period:
Changes you make during this January 1 to March 31 time period will take effect on the first of the month after the plan you have chosen receives your enrollment information.
Regardless of the time of year, you can seek out guidance from professionals via:
Medicare’s toll-free number, 1-800-MEDICARE
Medicare’s Plan Finder — You can use this online resource to compare plan costs, coverage, providers, and more
Your local State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) — SHIP counselors are trained to provide impartial information about Medicare.
For more information on Medicare Advantage, be sure to check out the following resources:
Also consider consulting with a qualified elder law attorney in your area today. They can assist you in evaluating different health care program options and creating a long-term plan for your care. In addition, their expertise can be key to understanding your rights, including how to address denials of Medicare coverage.
Each year from October 15 to December 7, Medicare offers you the option to make changes to your Medicare coverage.
Read moreMedicare's Open Enrollment Period, during which you can freely enroll in or switch plans, runs from October 15 to December 7....
Read moreEvery year during Medicare's Open Enrollment Period, which runs from October 15 to December 7,?Medicare?gives beneficiaries a...
Read moreIn addition to nursing home care, Medicaid may cover home care and some care in an assisted living facility. Coverage in your state may depend on waivers of federal rules.
READ MORETo be eligible for Medicaid long-term care, recipients must have limited incomes and no more than $2,000 (in most states). Special rules apply for the home and other assets.
READ MORESpouses of Medicaid nursing home residents have special protections to keep them from becoming impoverished.
READ MOREIn addition to nursing home care, Medicaid may cover home care and some care in an assisted living facility. Coverage in your state may depend on waivers of federal rules.
READ MORETo be eligible for Medicaid long-term care, recipients must have limited incomes and no more than $2,000 (in most states). Special rules apply for the home and other assets.
READ MORESpouses of Medicaid nursing home residents have special protections to keep them from becoming impoverished.
READ MORECareful planning for potentially devastating long-term care costs can help protect your estate, whether for your spouse or for your children.
READ MOREIf steps aren't taken to protect the Medicaid recipient's house from the state’s attempts to recover benefits paid, the house may need to be sold.
READ MOREThere are ways to handle excess income or assets and still qualify for Medicaid long-term care, and programs that deliver care at home rather than in a nursing home.
READ MORECareful planning for potentially devastating long-term care costs can help protect your estate, whether for your spouse or for your children.
READ MOREIf steps aren't taken to protect the Medicaid recipient's house from the state’s attempts to recover benefits paid, the house may need to be sold.
READ MOREThere are ways to handle excess income or assets and still qualify for Medicaid long-term care, and programs that deliver care at home rather than in a nursing home.
READ MOREMost states have laws on the books making adult children responsible if their parents can't afford to take care of themselves.
READ MOREApplying for Medicaid is a highly technical and complex process, and bad advice can actually make it more difficult to qualify for benefits.
READ MOREMedicare's coverage of nursing home care is quite limited. For those who can afford it and who can qualify for coverage, long-term care insurance is the best alternative to Medicaid.
READ MOREMost states have laws on the books making adult children responsible if their parents can't afford to take care of themselves.
READ MOREApplying for Medicaid is a highly technical and complex process, and bad advice can actually make it more difficult to qualify for benefits.
READ MOREMedicare's coverage of nursing home care is quite limited. For those who can afford it and who can qualify for coverage, long-term care insurance is the best alternative to Medicaid.
READ MOREDistinguish the key concepts in estate planning, including the will, the trust, probate, the power of attorney, and how to avoid estate taxes.
READ MORELearn about grandparents’ visitation rights and how to avoid tax and public benefit issues when making gifts to grandchildren.
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READ MOREWe need to plan for the possibility that we will become unable to make our own medical decisions. This may take the form of a health care proxy, a medical directive, a living will, or a combination of these.
READ MOREDistinguish the key concepts in estate planning, including the will, the trust, probate, the power of attorney, and how to avoid estate taxes.
READ MORELearn about grandparents’ visitation rights and how to avoid tax and public benefit issues when making gifts to grandchildren.
READ MOREUnderstand when and how a court appoints a guardian or conservator for an adult who becomes incapacitated, and how to avoid guardianship.
READ MOREWe need to plan for the possibility that we will become unable to make our own medical decisions. This may take the form of a health care proxy, a medical directive, a living will, or a combination of these.
READ MOREUnderstand the ins and outs of insurance to cover the high cost of nursing home care, including when to buy it, how much to buy, and which spouse should get the coverage.
READ MORELearn who qualifies for Medicare, what the program covers, all about Medicare Advantage, and how to supplement Medicare’s coverage.
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READ MOREUnderstand the ins and outs of insurance to cover the high cost of nursing home care, including when to buy it, how much to buy, and which spouse should get the coverage.
READ MOREWe explain the five phases of retirement planning, the difference between a 401(k) and an IRA, types of investments, asset diversification, the required minimum distribution rules, and more.
READ MOREFind out how to choose a nursing home or assisted living facility, when to fight a discharge, the rights of nursing home residents, all about reverse mortgages, and more.
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READ MOREGet a solid grounding in Social Security, including who is eligible, how to apply, spousal benefits, the taxation of benefits, how work affects payments, and SSDI and SSI.
READ MORELearn how a special needs trust can preserve assets for a person with disabilities without jeopardizing Medicaid and SSI, and how to plan for when caregivers are gone.
READ MOREExplore benefits for older veterans, including the VA’s disability pension benefit, aid and attendance, and long-term care coverage for veterans and surviving spouses.
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