Medicare Annual Enrollment: It’s Time to Review Your Coverage Options

If you’re enrolled in Medicare, the annual fall Medicare Annual Enrollment Period (Oct. 15- Dec. 7) is the perfect time to review your Medicare coverage options to see if they are still right for you. If you currently have original Medicare and would like to try a Medicare Advantage plan, or if you’d like to change Medicare Advantage plans, this is also the time to do it. Any change you make will take effect beginning Jan. 1, 2021.

A quick reminder: Medicare Advantage plans combine Part A (hospital coverage), Part B (medical coverage), and usually Part D (prescription drug coverage) of original Medicare. The plans, offered by private insurance companies approved by Medicare, may also contain additional coverage, such as vision or dental.

To help you decide which option is best for you, think about what medical services and treatments you need—do you take prescription medication, or need vision or dental care, for example? What about specialized care or physical therapy? Once you know what types of benefits you need, you can compare plans to see which one is right for you.

If you need help deciding which Medicare Advantage plan or Medicare Supplement is right for you, please call us at 941-747-4600.

Due to COVID-19, another increasingly popular Medicare Advantage plan benefit you might want to consider is “telehealth”—the ability to consult with medical professionals virtually without leaving your home. More and more plans are offering this now.

Whether you are signing up for Medicare Advantage for the first time, or are considering renewing your current plan, here are some things to consider:

·        Are your doctors and preferred hospital part of your plan’s network of providers?

·        What will your out-of-pocket costs be? Can you afford the co-pays and deductible?

·        Do you need vision and dental benefits?

·        Does the plan cover you when you’re away from your primary residence? This is an important consideration for “snowbirds,” because some plans only offer emergency coverage if you’re away from home.

Staying with original Medicare but concerned about out-of-pocket costs? Ask us about a Medicare Supplement (“Medigap”) plan.

Medicare coverage can be confusing, so if you’d like to talk to a local agent, Lakewood Financial is here to help. Let us work with you to find the Medicare option that best fits your situation. We offer plans from Aetna, UnitedHealthcare and others.  Please call us at 941-747-4600, or click here to contact us online. 

For more information on Medicare benefits and plans, please see medicare.gov