Medicare Open Enrollment: Review Coverage as Plans Can Change

Medicare open enrollment has just begun, and if you or a family member are Medicare eligible, we recommend that you take action to review your coverage. Now through December 7, Medicare offers an annual open enrollment period for participants to change their Medicare health plans and prescription drug coverage for the upcoming year. The effective date of plan changes is January 1, 2018.

Participants who are already enrolled in a Medicare health or prescription drug plan should receive “Evidence of Coverage” (EOC) and “Annual Notice of Change” (ANOC) materials, which should be reviewed annually. Medicare health and drug plans can make changes each year that can affect cost, coverage and which providers and pharmacies are in their networks. Participants need to ensure that their health and prescription drug coverage needs are met in 2018.

To reevaluate Medicare coverage, visit Medicare.gov to review 2018 plan offerings. If the number of options available is overwhelming, participants can also call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) to speak with a Medicare representative who can walk you through the enrollment process. Otherwise, if you are satisfied that your current plan will meet your needs in 2018 and it is still being offered, you do not need to take any additional action. Action is only required if you choose to make a change to your Medicare coverage.

Begin reviewing Medicare coverage before it is too late. The open enrollment period ends December 7, 2017.