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Medicare open enrollment starts soon. Here’s why you should pay attention
- Medicare’s fall open enrollment period starts Oct. 15 and runs through Dec. 7.
- This is generally for changes related to Medicare Advantage Plans or prescription drug coverage: You can add, drop or switch them.
- Here’s what to expect this year.
Sure, there are probably more entertaining things to do than review your Medicare coverage.
Nevertheless, it’s about that time of year. Open enrollment, which starts Oct. 15 and runs through Dec. 7, is when you can make changes that take effect Jan. 1. While you aren’t required to do anything — your 2021 coverage generally would continue into 2022 — it’s worth at least checking to see if your current plan remains your best option, experts say.
“Providers may opt in or out of a network plan, or the cost of a prescription drug may be higher or lower, or may no longer be covered,” said Elizabeth Gavino, founder of Lewin & Gavino and an independent broker and general agent for Medicare plans.
In simple terms, this annual fall open enrollment period is for adding or changing coverage related to an Advantage Plan (Medicare Part C) and/or prescription drugs (Part D). You can switch, add or drop those parts of your coverage.
However, a majority of beneficiaries don’t even compare plans, said Juliette Cubanski, deputy director for the Kaiser Family Foundation’s program on Medicare policy.
“That’s of concern, knowing what we know about changes being made from one year to the next,” Cubanski said. “Even if you’re happy with your plan, it’s worth taking a little time to see if you find a plan with better value or coverage for your needs.”
Also, be aware that although congressional lawmakers are debating whether to add dental, vision and hearing coverage to original Medicare, there is no certainty the provisions will make it through the full legislative process. And if you have an Advantage Plan, you may already have some coverage for those benefits.
Here’s what to know about open enrollment.
Who should pay attention
Roughly 63.3 million people get their health coverage through Medicare. The majority of them — 55.1 million — are age 65 or older, while the remainder are individuals with permanent disabilities.
Fall enrollment is different from your initial enrollment window, which starts three months before the month of your 65th birthday and ends three months after it. That’s when you generally must sign up for Part A (inpatient care) and Part B (outpatient care) unless you meet an exception such as having acceptable coverage elsewhere. You also can sign up for an Advantage Plan or a Part D prescription drug plan (both of which are offered by private insurers) during your initial enrollment period.
Nevertheless, fall open enrollment touches most beneficiaries in one way or another due to the coverage they select. For instance, 26.7 million choose to get their Parts A and B benefits delivered through Advantage Plans, which are likely to include Part D.
The remainder stick with original Medicare (Parts A and B) and often pair it with a standalone Part D plan. Some also get a Medicare supplemental plan (a.k.a Medigap), which is offered by private insurers.
Altogether, 48.5 million beneficiaries have prescription drug coverage through either an Advantage Plan or a standalone Part D plan.
The nitty gritty
Every year, usually by Sept. 30, your Advantage Plan or prescription drug plan should send you a packet explaining changes for the upcoming year.
This could include adjustments to monthly premiums, copays, deductibles, coinsurance or maximum out-of-pocket limit, or changes to drug coverage, said Danielle Roberts, co-founder of insurance firm Boomer Benefits.
The average monthly premium for Advantage plans will be $19 next year, down from $21.22 in 2021, according to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. The average 2022 monthly premium for Part D coverage will be $33, up from $31.47 this year.
Part B monthly premiums — as well as other various cost details — for 2022 have not been finalized yet. However, the standard Part B premium is anticipated to rise to $158.50 from $148.50 this year, according to the latest Medicare trustees report.
It’s worth taking a little time to
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