The Medicare Open Enrollment Period started today and ends December 7^th.

This is the time of year Medicare eligible individuals can make changes to their coverage regardless – in most cases – of pre-existing conditions. Those changes include:

• Switching from ‘traditional’ Medicare and a Supplemental Plan to a Medicare Advantage Plan, also called Medicare Part C; which BTW combines Medicare Part A, B and D (Drug coverage). 
• Switch from one Part C Advantage Plan to another.
• Switch Part D Drug coverage.

So, it’s no coincidence we’re bombarded now with commercials for (mostly) the Advantage Plans touting their low premiums and ‘extra’ benefits. 

In particular, if you’re covered by ‘traditional’ Medicare and a Medigap (or Supplemental Plan), the ads may cause you to second guess your decision.

Circumstances of health and income can change from when you retired, so it’s good we have an annual “Open Enrollment.”

That said, after you listen to those ads, give my office a call for “the rest of the story.”

P.S. Some of you might remember Tip # 481 from December of 2020. The ‘pitches’ referenced have been regulated off the air-waves.

Wonder why!