Don’t look now, but Medicare Open Enrollment season ends today! Are you done with Medicare enrollment?
We hope so, especially if you are enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan! Today is the deadline to switch Medicare Advantage plans. Remember, like last year, Medicare Advantage enrollees only have this one chance to change their Medicare Advantage plans, and after that, will be locked into that plan for all of 2013.
Traditionally, Medicare Advantage enrollees also had the option to switch their plans during January, February and March of each year, but that “Open Enrollment” period is no longer available to you. If you have relied on the traditional enrollment period in January, February and March to review your Medicare Advantage options and change your plan, beware! You only have from October 15th to December 7th to change your Medicare Advantage plan!
After today, you will still have the option to disenroll from your Medicare Advantage plan until February 14th, and you will be allowed to enroll in traditional Medicare and a separate Medicare Part D prescription drug plan.
Don’t forget! CMS has offered to extend Medicare Open Enrollment for families affected by Hurricane Sandy. If you or a loved one need an extension on your Medicare Open Enrollment, call Medicare’s 24-hour information line,1- 800-Medicare (1-800-633-4227) to speak to a Medicare representative. If you have a family member or loved one who usually helps you with your Medicare paperwork who has been affected by the storm, you are also eligible for an extension for you Medicare Open Enrollment. CMS is not requiring people asking for an extension to prove that they were affected by the storm.
How was your Medicare Open Enrollment season? Tell us about it in our Medicare discussion forum!
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