Review Changes to Your Coverage to Get Ready for Medicare Open Enrollment
One week from today, on October 15, Medicare Open Enrollment will begin. The annual enrollment period runs until December 7. It’s an important opportunity for all Medicare beneficiaries to review their current coverage and make any changes to plan selections. The first step is to review your Annual Notice of Change (ANOC). Whether you are enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan or Part D prescription drug plan, you should have received this information by September 30. If you haven’t received your copy, call your plan or check their website.
The notice provides a detailed summary of all the changes to the plan's benefits, costs, and coverage for the upcoming calendar year. Without reading the ANOC, you could be surprised on January 1 by higher costs, a medication no longer being covered, or that your doctor or preferred facility is no longer in your network.
Whether you decide to stay with your current plan or to explore other Medicare coverage options, you want to make a choice based on the facts. If you have any questions about the upcoming changes, contact your plan’s customer service department. They can help you understand the details of the changes to your coverage.
-Donna LeValley
Don't Toss It! Why Your Medicare Annual Notice of Change Matters