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Medicare’s Open Enrollment Period: What you need to know
From Oct. 15—Dec. 7 each year, people with Medicare can make changes to their coverage for the following year.
Medicare plans can change each year—and so can your healthcare needs. The Medicare Open Enrollment Period which occurs each year from Oct. 15 to Dec. 7, gives you the chance to review and make changes to your current Medicare coverage.
Here’s some information to help you prepare for Medicare Open Enrollment and get the most out of your Medicare coverage in the coming year.
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Medicare’s Open Enrollment Period, known as the “Medicare Advantage and Prescription Drug Plan annual election period,” “annual enrollment period” or “AEP,” takes place each year from Oct. 15 through Dec. 7. This is the primary time when people can choose or change their Medicare coverage. Accepted coverage changes go into effect on Jan. 1 of the following year.
There are other times during the year when a person can enroll in a plan, such as the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment, held each year from Jan. 1 through March 31, or Special Enrollment Periods (SEPs). Those are explained in more detail below.
People already enrolled in Medicare can make changes to their
When shopping Medicare plans during open enrollment, some coverage details to consider include:
All
Original Medicare is provided by the Federal government and comes in 2 parts—Part A and Part B:
However,
Beyond Original Medicare, there is further coverage through Parts C and D:
Many Medicare Advantage plans include coverage for prescription drugs and may offer dental, vision and hearing benefits. You may need to pay a monthly premium in addition to the
Dates | Oct 15–Dec 7 | Jan 1 | Jan 1–Mar 1 |
---|---|---|---|
Details | Medicare Open Enrollment | Medicare changes take effect |
If you miss open enrollment, you’ll most likely be automatically re-enrolled in your plan if it’s still offered in your area. You’ll keep the same plan the following year as long as you continue paying any required premiums.
However, there are a few circumstances where you can change your plan outside of open enrollment. These circumstances include:
Only new or existing Medicare members can apply during this period (unless a shopper qualifies for a Special Enrollment Period (SEP) during the same time).
Most people first become eligible for Medicare at age 65, but your Initial Enrollment Period (
Because there is a delay from the date of your enrollment to when Medicare coverage starts, try to
If you already have a Medicare Advantage plan, the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (MA OEP) is when you can enroll in another Medicare Advantage plan or go back to Original Medicare. The dates for this enrollment period are Jan. 1–March 31.1
If needed, you can also add a Medicare Part D prescription drug plan to your Medicare Advantage plan.
Your chance to enroll in a
The Medicare Supplement Open Enrollment Period is the best time to
Even if you’re happy with your current Medicare plan, it’s important to check for any changes in the coming year and
Licensed Humana sales agents are just a phone call away. You can schedule an appointment to talk with a licensed Humana sales agent to explore your options.
You can also contact Medicare directly for more information by calling 800-MEDICARE (800-633-4227) (TTY: 877-486-2048) 24 hours a day, or by visiting the
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