Medicare 2019 Annual Open Enrollment Time is Here

Annual Open Enrollment begins October 15th and ends December 7th. This is the time of year you can make changes to your Medicare coverage. You can join a new Medicare Advantage Plan (Medicare Part C) or stand-alone prescription drug plan (Medicare Part D), or switch from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage Plan. Any change you make will take effect January 1, 2019.

Even if you are satisfied with your current Medicare coverage, look at other Medicare options in your area that may better suit your individual needs in the upcoming year. For example, check to see if there is another plan in your area that will offer you better health and/or drug coverage at a more affordable price. Research shows that people with Part D could lower their costs by shopping among plans each year. There could be another Part D plan in your area that covers the drugs you take with fewer restrictions and/or lower prices.

You can research Medicare Advantage plans and Part D Prescription Plans by visiting www.medicare.gov where you will find Medicare’s plan finder. You will need to enter the name of your prescription drug, the dose and frequency to compare plans and find the most cost effective option.

In Montgomery County, APPRISE counselors are specially trained to answer your questions about Medicare and provide you with objective, easy-to-understand information about health insurance. Specifically, APPRISE can answer your questions about Medicare, Medicare Supplemental Insurance, Medicaid, as well the new prescription drug plans.

Counselors are available to meet with you on an individual basis or in group information sessions. To learn more about counseling visit http://www.rsvpmc.org/content/apprise-medicare-counseling or call (610)834-1040 ext. 120 and leave a message for a return call.