Happy New MEDICARE PLAN Year

Did you enroll in a new Medicare health plan? Stay with the same plan for 2020?

     Either way it is likely your coverage may have changed for 2020 even if you stayed with the same plan. Before you get concerned there are three things you should know.

     1. Changes can be good. Your plan may have added benefits or lowered costs.

     2. It’s not too late to have a licensed agent explain your coverage changes.

     3.You still may be able to switch your insurance plan*.

     For those who were enrolled in a health plan in 2019 you would have received an Annual Notice of Change letter in September. The letters are usually very detailed and often confusing. In addition to the changes there may be other things to consider. For example, your doctor may no longer accept your plan. It happens. If you are impacted by this it is important to have an agent represent you so you can explore all of your plan options. You may be able to pick a new plan your doctor accepts.

     Open enrollment period. Again this year Medicare will allow enrollees of Medicare Advantage plans to have another chance to change their plan during the first few months of the year. The option is only available for those enrolled in certain plan types and you can make only one change. We can help make your one choice the right choice.

     Special Enrollment Periods. Sometimes you may be eligible to enroll into a plan or switch coverage outside of the annual election period. These special election periods can occur because you moved, have Medicaid, a
chronic condition such as diabetes, or want to enroll in a five star plan.

     Financial Assistance. If you need financial assistance and aren’t sure if you qualify for Medicaid assistance, even if you have been turned down before, we can walk you through the application process. There are also plans which refund over $1500 a year into your social security check. Many Veterans use this program while continuing to obtain benefits through the VA.

     Employer Coverage. If you receive health plan coverage from an employer, or former employer, and you are eligible for Medicare it is very important to understand your options and the impact of your decisions. If you are working strictly to provide insurance coverage for a non-Medicare eligible spouse, we may be able to offer you a non-Medicare health plan for your spouse and help you enroll in a Medicare plan all for less than the cost of your current insurance plan. Retirement may be closer than you thought.

     There are many resources to help you select a Medicare health plan and all of them should be without a fee. However, many resources represent only one health plan or aren’t specifically trained to present all health plans. Medicare can be complex and you may be overspending if you don’t look at all your plan options. I am licensed and in good standing with the State of Florida. Each year I complete extensive training and testing for product knowledge. I never charge a fee for any of my services. Call me today for free and personalized assistance.