Avoid Pitfalls During Annual Enrollment

The Medicare Beneficiary’s Checklist for Annual Enrollment

Annual enrollment for Medicare is knocking on the door again, just as it does each year. This is the time when Medicare beneficiaries can sign up for new coverage or change their existing plan for the year ahead. The one thing that never changes about annual enrollment is the confusion that accompanies it. You have to watch for those pitfalls and learn how to avoid them. We help you do exactly that at NO COST to you! Let us become your personal insurance advocates.

  1. Start from scratch every year. This is so important to take this approach to your health so that you are not surprised if your plan has changed. It is important to know if your plan is changing, but it is also important to understand how it is changing.
  2. Learn from past mistakes. While most of the options that Medicare offers are quite good, it is still very important to see what specific drugs and treatments are covered and which aren’t related to your conditions and needs.
  3. The annual enrollment window. Don’t miss the annual enrollment period (October 15th through December 7th) to change your plan for the upcoming year if you would like to. During this time, you can add prescription drug coverage if you don’t already have it. (Be aware a penalty may apply if you haven’t had credible prescription drug coverage within a certain timeframe).
  4. Make a Prescription List. Another thing that you should do before you are ready to sign up is to make a detailed list of all your prescriptions and make it available to your insurance advocate to make the best choice for your needs.
  5. Drug Quantity List. Watch out for drug quantity limits when selecting your plan. If you need a specific number of a medication each month, make sure that your plan will cover that much.
  6. The lowest price may not always be the best price. Never base your plan by choosing the lowest premiums; this is another area where your personal insurance advocate can help you with the information and your decision.

Avoiding these pitfalls is an important part of the control you have over your care. Remember, the number of plans you will have to choose from may be in excess of 50 depending on your geographical location. Medicare Coverage Pro welcomes the opportunity to assist you. Contact us today at 770-514-0589. You’ll be so glad you did!

“Congress did not make any changes to Medicare guaranteed benefits. Medicare Advantage plans must continue to provide the same benefits that are provided by Original Medicare.”

– Leadership Council of Aging Organizations

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