Sometimes, Medicare beneficiaries enroll in their chosen Medicare Advantage plan, but end up rethinking their choice. It’s often easy to get confused, despite the fact that a plan’s Summary of Benefits explains what you’re getting. You may miss important details of your plan’s coverage and end up paying surprise costs.
Starting in 2019, beneficiaries who are not happy with their chosen plan can make a one-time change within a specific time frame. This is known as the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (OEP). So, here’s what you should know about the OEP for 2020.
Important details about the New Open Enrollment Period (OEP)
This OEP allows you to either disenroll from the Medicare Advantage plan you signed up for and go back to using Original Medicare coverage, (either with or without a Part D drug plan). You can change from one Medicare Advantage plan to another, but you are not allowed to switch from a stand-alone Part D drug plan to a different one.
The Medicare Advantage OEP for 2020
This year, the Open Enrollment Period is between January 1 and March 31. This period replaces the disenrollment period (that was January 1 through February 14). It is important for enrollees with Medicare Advantage to understand that the OEP is available. Here are some tips to remember.
- You have to be currently enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan to make changes during the OEP. This means that if you have Part A and Part B (referred to as Original Medicare), with or without Medigap coverage, this OEP does not apply to you.
- In 2018, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) made some changes to the Advantage plans. Because the changes were made so late in the year, insurers had trouble integrating them in 2019. You may see some of the new benefits available this year, though. They include home health, telehealth, and even alternative medicine coverage. Ask a Medicare expert for more information about these as they are not available within every plan.
- Medicare Advantage plans are continuing to grow and premiums are somewhat lower in 2020. So, if you’re unhappy with your current plan, it’s wise to consider a change before the deadline.
Are you eager to see if the Medicare Advantage OEP is right for you?
If you’d like some assistance with your Medicare options or this new Open Enrollment Period for 2020, Medicare Amarillo would be delighted to assist. Feel free to call Bud at (806) 350-7380 – or come by our local office in the Amarillo Atrium Building – Suite 280 – 6900 West Ih-40 Amarillo, TX 79106.
This information has not been reviewed by Medicare or any other federal, state, or local government agencies.