IBM Medicare Via Benefits Medicare Insurance Change Still Possible

Although the Fall Open Enrollment Period ended in December.  There are still opportunities to make changes to your Medicare insurance during 2020. 
     

1. Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period: January 1 - March 31, 2020
        
   If you are enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan, you are allowed to change to a different Medicare Advantage plan during the first three months of 2020.  If you find your current plan doctor network has significantly changed or the drug costs have significantly increase, you have options!  You can switch to another Medicare Advantage plan or you can drop into Original/Traditional Medicare (OM) and get a stand alone Prescription Drug Insurance plan (PDP).  The OM & PDP option might not be feasible in many states because there are varying rules from state to state on whether an insurance company is required to sell you a Medicare Supplement plan (aka medigap).  OM without a medigap that caps your out of pocket costs is a risky proposition.  Medical costs can rapidly escalate if you have a significant medical problem.
        
   
2. Medicare Plan Finder problems Special Circumstance Enrollment:  All year long
        
   Medicare, as in the government agency (aka CMS), has quietly issued a very significant admission statement in www.medicare.gov.  They know there were huge problems with their new plan finder program and have posted information on the website about allowing recipients to change their plans per the following link: https://www.medicare.gov/sign-up-change-plans/when-can-i-join-a-health-or-drug-plan/special-circumstances-special-enrollment-periods
        
   There is an important notice on that page titled "note":
        
   If you believe you made the wrong plan choice because of inaccurate or misleading information, including using Plan Finder, call 1-800-MEDICARE and explain your situation. Call center representatives can help you throughout the year with options for making changes.
        
   It's easy to overlook that note but the significance of it is huge!
           
3. There are other special enrollment conditions described on that same web page that can be life saving.  For example, if you move to a different zip code, you get a chance to totally change your insurance down to maybe being able to buy a medigap (check with your state to be sure of your options) because you are moving to a new zip code area.
        

My wishes for 2020 is you need none of the above and have the best Medicare insurance to meet your medical needs in 2020.  Happy New Year!