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5 Things You Can Do Now to Prepare for Medicare’s Annual Enrollment Period

The Medicare Annual Enrollment Period is back, which means it’s time for you to see if there is a Medicare option that better suits your needs and budget. From October 15th to December 7th each year is the only time you can make changes to your Medicare coverage, so make sure you take advantage of this time! To help you do so, we’ve given some tips to help guide you to more savings, more coverage, and free help.

Changes You Can Make During the AEP

If you do decide that you want to change your plan, you need to know what changes you can make during the AEP. You can:

Switch from Original Medicare (Parts A and B) to a Medicare Advantage Plan
Switch from a Medicare Advantage Plan back to Original Medicare, as well as enroll in Part D or a Medicare Supplement Plan alongside Original Medicare when you switch
Switch your current Medicare Advantage Plan to a different one
Switch from a Medicare Advantage Plan that includes drug coverage to one that does not
Switch from a Medicare Advantage Plan that does not have drug coverage to one that does

Planning Ahead

Now that you know what you can do during the AEP, let’s take a look at ways you can be prepared to make the most of it:

Don’t wait until the deadline to make decisions! This is one of the worst things you can do, because not only will you feel rushed to make a decision, but you may end up missing out on savings, such as subsidies that you might qualify for.
Talk to your doctors and make sure they will accept Medicare in the coming year. Providers can join and leave a plan’s provider network at any time during the year, which could leave you scrambling to find a new doctor that does accept Medicare. If you talk to your doctor in advance, you can begin looking for a new doctor (that you like) who does accept Medicare.
Review your Annual Notice of Change (ANOC), which you should have gotten in the mail this fall. This document lists any upcoming changes to your plan’s coverage, cost, or service area. Make sure that any changes to your plan work in your favor; if they don’t, it might be time to begin searching for a new plan. The best way to do this is to compare plans with a knowledgeable EZ agent.
Make a list of all the prescription drugs that you take and check if they will be covered by your current plan in the new year. If not, look for a plan that will cover all your medications.
Working with a reputable EZ agent is a must if you want to find the most savings and the best plans that will provide the coverage you need. Researching and comparing plans from different companies can be time-consuming, confusing, and overwhelming. EZ agents work with the top-rated companies in the nation and can compare quotes within seconds.

Compare & Find the Perfect Plan Early

The best way to prepare for the Medicare Annual Enrollment Period is to begin comparing plans from different companies. This allows you to digest all of your available options and gives you the power to choose the best one for you.

Not only will an EZ agent help you with this, but our services come at no cost to you because we just want to help you save money so you can focus on your health. To get free instant quotes on plans that cover your doctors, simply enter your zip code in the bar above, or to speak to a local licensed agent, call 888-753-7207.

Preparing For Medicare Open Enrollment: Important Documents

September is here, and with it will come important documents for Medicare’s fall Open Enrollment. Medicare Open Enrollment, which is also referred to as the Annual Election Period (AEP), occurs every year from October 15th to December 7th. During this period, you have the option to change your Medicare plan for 2021. In order to be better prepared, it is important to review the information that you will be receiving this month. Check your mailbox for the following important documents:

Medicare And You Handbook

the word medicare with words pertaining to medicare insurance around it — *You will receive a “Medicare and You” handbook that will explain the benefits, your rights, and available plans.*

If you are already enrolled in Medicare, you will receive a free 2021 Medicare And You handbook in the mail this month. The handbook will provide you with:

A summary of Medicare benefits
Your Medicare rights
Answers to frequently asked questions
Lists of available health and drug plans in your area. All plans have to cover the same benefits listed in the handbook, but costs and coverage rules will vary based on your area.

If you did not receive your handbook, you can call 1-800-MEDICARE and request a copy with information for your region to be mailed to you. You can also view the handbook online at medicare.gov.

Annual Notice Of Change

If you have a Part D prescription drug plan or a Medicare Advantage plan, then you should receive a notice called the Annual Notice of Change (ANOC) this month. The ANOC will list any changes that will be made to your plan in 2021 regarding your:

Rates What you can expect to pay for your copays, annual deductibles, and drug costs for 2021.
Covered Drugs- You will be able to look through the plan’s formulary and see what drugs are being added or removed from Part D formularies.
Provider Network– Check to see which doctors, hospitals, and other providers and pharmacies will be in your plan’s network next year. Be sure to pay attention to this as networks do change from time to time, and you might find that some providers have been added or removed.

The EOC along with he ANOC are 2 very important documents that will notify you of any changes in your plans and if your plan is leaving Medicare.

Evidence Of Coverage

The Evidence of Coverage (EOC) document that you will receive will give you an in-depth explanation of the benefits and out-of-pocket costs for your plan. Your EOC should come in the mail with your ANOC, or you can look at the document on your plan’s website. Your EOC will notify you of:

Plans that are leaving the Medicare program, so you can start searching for another plan for the new year.
The quality of performance of your current plan, if your current plan has received a low rating for 3 or more years in a row. This is so you can begin to look at other, better-rated plan options in your area.

Notice of Creditable Coverage

If you get your health insurance and drug coverage through an employer, then you will receive a notice of creditable coverage. This will inform you if your coverage is still credible, and if it is as good as or better than Medicare coverage. You will need this document as proof that you had credible employer-based health insurance, so that you do not get hit with a late enrollment penalty when you decide to switch to a Medicare Advantage or a Part D plan.

the word important in written on a purple paper with a red thumbnail on it Review these notices so that you are aware of any changes being made to your Medicare plan. If you find that there are changes that you are unhappy with, then you can start searching for a new plan before Open Enrollment begins.

Once you receive these important documents in the mail and begin reviewing your coverage, you might find that your current plan will no longer fit your needs. If it is time to change your coverage, then it is time to call EZ.Insure. Our agents are highly trained in Medicare and help you compare all of the options available for your financial and medical needs. We want to make sure that you have the best coverage and care, especially during these times. To get free, instant quotes, enter your zip code in the bar above. Or to speak directly to one of our licensed agents, call 888-753-7207.

Tag: annual notice of change

5 Things You Can Do Now to Prepare for Medicare’s Annual Enrollment Period

Changes You Can Make During the AEP

Planning Ahead

Compare & Find the Perfect Plan Early

Preparing For Medicare Open Enrollment: Important Documents

Medicare And You Handbook

Annual Notice Of Change

Evidence Of Coverage

Notice of Creditable Coverage

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