Medicare questions always come up at this Enrollment time of year. One of the questions I always get is what are the differences in Enrollment Periods. Here are some answers to those questions directly from CMS Medicare:
Joining a health or drug plan enrollment period?
When can I join, switch, or drop a plan? You can join, switch, or drop a Medicare Health Plan or a Medicare Advantage Plan (Part C) with or without drug coverage during these times:
Initial Enrollment Period. When you first become eligible for Medicare, you can join a plan.
Open Enrollment Period. From October 15 – December 7 each year, you can join, switch, or drop a plan. Your coverage will begin on January 1 (as long as the plan gets your request by December 7).
Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period. From January 1 – March 31 each year, if you’re enrolled in a Medicare Advantage Plan, you can switch to a different Medicare Advantage Plan or switch to Original Medicare (and join a separate Medicare drug plan) once during this time. Note: You can only switch plans once during this period.
Learn more at Medicare.govÂ
Are Medicare Supplement Plans and Medigap the same thing? Yes, they are the same thing and work with Original Medicare to cover your 20% costs after Medicare pays its 80% cost.
Medicare Part C? Is that Medicare Advantage? Yes, they are the same thing. These are Co-Sharing plans with many options and often include extra benefits that Medicare does not cover.
Learning about how Medicare Works with Employer Plans, when and how to enroll, and understanding all the Medicare Parts A,B,C & D is a lot of information. We try to make it a little easier with our Medicare Educational Workshops - Online & in Local Libraries. Join one of our upcoming Workshops HERE
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Teri Basch - Medicare Educator and Independent Agent
704-270-6766 Teribasch@medicare101EDU.com