NATIONWIDE — Medicare’s annual Open Enrollment Period is set to begin on October 15, offering millions of beneficiaries a crucial opportunity to review, compare, and switch their health and prescription drug coverage for the upcoming year.
The enrollment period, which runs through December 7, allows individuals to make changes to their Medicare Advantage (Part C) and Medicare Prescription Drug (Part D) plans.
Medicare officials urge all beneficiaries to actively compare their current coverage with other options, even if they are satisfied with their current plan.
- Plan Changes: Medicare plans often change from year to year. These changes can affect premiums, deductibles, cost-sharing, and, most importantly, the list of covered prescription drugs (formularies) and network providers.
- Changing Health Needs: Your own health status and medication needs may have changed over the last year, meaning a plan that worked previously might no longer be the best fit—or the most cost-effective.
By comparing options, beneficiaries may find a new plan that better meets their specific health needs and could potentially save them money on premiums and out-of-pocket costs.
To make the process easier and faster once the October 15 window opens, beneficiaries are advised to prepare now.
Log in or create your Medicare account here before Open Enrollment starts. Using an account allows you to easily compare plans based on your specific prescription medications, providing the most accurate estimate of your total annual costs.
For those who require assistance comparing their options once Open Enrollment begins, help is available by calling 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227).
