How Medicare Open Enrollment Affects You | How to Insurance | 049

Hi, I’m Peter!

Welcome to HOW TO INSURANCE

Helping YOU understand insurance, 

building CONFIDENCE for your future! 

Every October and November you start seeing one million TV commercials about Medicare and getting more junk mail than can fit in your recycling can! 

So how do you make sense of all this?

Today we are talking about:

How Medicare Open Enrollment Affects You 

If you are 65 years old or older, this period of Medicare “Open Enrollment” may cause a little confusion. You may also feel like you have a target on your back and everyone is trying to get your attention. 

So, as your insurance broker, let me try to make it simple.

I’ll tell you the basics of what you need to know and be looking for! 

Medicare is the healthcare program that people 65 years+ get to use and enjoy. 

Medicare “Open Enrollment”

Every October 15 - December 7 is the Annual Election Period (aka “open enrollment”) when you get to choose a new Medicare Advantage plan, or a new Rx plan, or go back to Original Medicare with a Medicare Supplement and Prescription Drug Plan. 

Bottom Line: 

1. This is the time each year when you can select a NEW Medicare Advantage Plan to begin on January 1. 

1. If you want to enroll for the first time or switch your Medicare Advantage Plan, you can do so between October 15 and December 7. 

1. Talk to your trusted independent insurance broker about what plan may best fit your medical and budget needs.

There are several parts to Medicare: 

• Medicare Part A - Hospital/In-Patient Insurance 

• Medicare Part B - Doctor/Surgery Insurance 

• Medicare Part C - Medicare Advantage Plans (with prescriptions included)

• Medicare Part D - Prescription Drugs

• Medicare Supplements (aka “Medi-Gap”)

You also have some choice on what plans to enroll in: 

• Original Medicare A & B (only)

• Medicare Advantage Plan

• Medicare Supplement (Medi-gap)

• Prescription Drug Plan

If you’re interested in looking at a new way to manage your healthcare, then open enrollment is for you! 

Depending on the area you live in, there are several different options for Medicare Advantage Plans, from several different insurance companies, with unique networks of doctors and extra benefits. 

Many seniors like Medicare Advantage Plans (MAPD) for many reasons: 

1. They can be very affordable and often have a $0 monthly premium! 

2. MAPDs work similarly to a traditional healthcare plan where you access your care through a provider’s network and you have co-pays, deductibles, and out-of-pocket maximum limits. 

3. Without an MAPD or Supplement, your original Medicare only covers 80% of your healthcare expenses and does NOT have an out-of-pocket maximum limit… so you’re vulnerable to huge medical bills. 

4. Prescription Drug Plans are usually included in Advantage plans. 

5. Telemedicine, phone, and online doctor appointments are available at no charge.

6. Many other benefits such as dental, vision, hearing, and fitness memberships can come with your MAPD. 

The list can go on and on. 

Every plan is different and the best way to figure out the differences is to ask your independent insurance broker. 

Next Steps: 

So, this year, through the crazy advertising cycles around Medicare Open Enrollment, keep in mind these 3 bottom lines: 

1. This is the time each year when you can select a NEW Medicare Advantage Plan that would begin on January 1, 2021. 

2. If you want to enroll for the first time or switch to a Medicare Advantage Plan, you can do so between October 15 and December 7. 

3. Talk to your trusted independent insurance broker about what plan may fit your needs best.

At Apple Insurance Solutions,

We all want to protect what matters most to us in life, 

but finding the right insurance can be confusing. 

So I make it simple. 

As Your Insurance Broker, 

All your insurance is covered in one relationship,

saving you time and

building confidence for your future. 

If this was helpful to you, please: 

• “Like and Share” this post

• Follow me on social media (@appleinsurancesolutions)

• Contact me at peter@appleinsurancesolutions.com

Also, keep in mind, that as Your Insurance Broker,

I offer insurance for auto, home, life, health, medicare, umbrella and business… when you work with me, all your insurance needs... are in one relationship.

Thank you for reading HOW TO INSURANCE

Helping YOU understand insurance, 

building CONFIDENCE for your future! 

PETER D JOHNSEN

Insurance Broker | Apple Insurance Solutions

360.818.4865 OR/WA 818.620.8171 CA

appleinsurancesolutions.com  

Auto | Home | Life | Health | Medicare | Umbrella  

SHARE this BLOG post: