6 Annual Enrollment Dates You (Quite Literally) Can’t Afford to Forget
I know you’ve got a lot of dates to juggle: birthdays, anniversaries, holiday get togethers, or departure dates for long awaited travel plans. But you have to leave some empty space—in your memory and on your calendar—to add these 6 dates.
Why?
Because the Medicare Annual Enrollment Period is upon us, a time when the Medicare marketplace is bustling with transactions. Beneficiaries such as yourself are switching Drug Plans, Advantage Plans, or transitioning from an Advantage Plan to a Medicare Supplement or vice versa. These are strategic moves you can only make during Annual Enrollment!
Now, if you are thinking, “I’m perfectly fine with my health insurance. I’ll just let it go this year,” I’d like to offer a word of warning: Not reviewing your Medicare health insurance plans this Annual Enrollment Period could cost you thousands. You see, Benefits and premiums change from year to year, so you have to review your plans with a professional to ensure you are still in the best-valued plan for your needs.
It doesn’t seem like letting it slide just one year could end up being so costly, but I’ve seen it happen again and again. In fact, I recently had a man come into my office in January, confused about why his approximately $190 per month prescription wasn’t covered anymore. As it turns out, he missed Annual Enrollment. The insurance company dropped his prescription from their formulary (list of covered drugs) for the new year. Unfortunately, I had to tell him, he was stuck in the ill-fitting Drug Plan for the whole year, the consequences of a mistake that would (by the end of the year) cost him $2,280. Ouch.
So, if you are a current Medicare beneficiary, get your pen ready and calendar ready. Annual Enrollment (October 15—December 7) is chock full of clear-cut deadlines. Don’t find yourself locked into a financially draining health insurance plan! You (quite literally) can’t afford to miss these 6 dates:
1. October 1st
This is the day we, as an insurance agency, receive all of the new information regarding plan changes.
- Did your Drug Plan drop your most expensive prescription from its formulary?
- Was there a premium hike?
- If you have an Advantage Plan, is your doctor still considered “in-network?”
October 1st is the day we have all these answers and can speak to you about the possibility of switching to save you money and hassle.
Note: You can call about your options anytime during Annual Enrollment, but the earlier is truly the better. This time of year is quite busy!
2.October 15
The marketplace is open! Annual enrollment has officially begun, and you can now enroll in a new plan.
3.December 7
I hope you have made all the necessary changes, because—at this date—you are locked into your plans for another year. Annual enrollment is closed.
4.January 1
It’s a new year, a new resolution, and—quite possibly—new insurance. This is the date any changes you made during the open enrollment period go into effect.
5.January 1
Nope, you didn’t just read the same line twice, and you are not seeing double! I know this is a repeat, but I want to clarify why this date is worth the extra mention: It is also the first day of the Advantage Plan disenrollment period. Just in case you’re second-guessing your decision, Medicare set up a disenrollment period where you can get out of your Advantage Plan with no penalties.
6.February 14
Finally, this is the last day of Medicare’s disenrollment period. If you are in an Advantage Plan and don’t like it, this is your last chance to drop it!
BONUS: February 14th is also Valentine’s Day. You’re welcome.
Looking to Review Your Plans With a Medicare Expert?
Even if you are not yet sure if you want to switch, I recommend giving Seniormark a call at 937-492-8800! Our friendly and caring staff is more than willing to be a resource during this bustling Annual Enrollment season. We will help ensure you meet all the deadlines and end up in a great plan for your needs and pocketbook as the New Year rolls around.
About the Author
Ready to retire and unsure what to do next? Get our "Introduction to Medicare” eBook to start to make sense of Medicare and your options.