Medicare Open Enrollment is here

WASHINGTON, Nov. 1, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Medicare's annual Open Enrollment period starts on October 15^th and ends on December 7^th. The Open Enrollment period is the time for you to review your current coverage and decide if there are better coverage options for you based on changes to the current plans, your budget and your health needs.

Experience the interactive Multichannel News Release here: https://www.multivu.com/players/English/8410451-cms-medicare-open-enrollment/

During Medicare Open Enrollment, you can decide to stay with your Original Medicare coverage or join a Medicare Advantage Plan. The Open Enrollment period gives everyone with Medicare the opportunity to make changes to their Medicare health plans or prescription drug plans for coverage beginning January 1, 2019.

Think about what matters most to you and be open to your options, like Medicare Advantage plans from private insurers.

Get Started on Medicare.gov
Medicare.gov has new tools that can help you review your options.

If you have questions about what type of coverage is right for you, the following tools may help:

• Compare Coverage Options Tool: Asks you five simple questions to see if Original Medicare or a Medicare Advantage Plan meets your needs.
• Estimate Medicare Costs Tool: An out-of-pocket cost calculator that will provide information on both overall costs and prescription drug costs.
• Plan Finder Tool: Lets you compare plans to see the exact costs for plans in your area based on the prescription drugs you take and the pharmacy you use. If you are open to your coverage options, you may find a plan that costs less, covers your drugs and offers extra benefits like vision and dental coverage. Try the web chat feature to help guide you through the process.

Medicare Open Enrollment ends on December 7, 2018. Now is the time to act if you want to enroll in or make changes to your Medicare health or prescription drug plan for coverage beginning January 1, 2019. If you find your current coverage still meets your needs, then you don't have to do anything. Medicare health and drug plans change each year, and so can your health needs. Think about your health status and determine if you need to make a change. Remember, if you miss the December 7^th Open Enrollment deadline, you will likely have to wait a full year before you are able to make changes to your Medicare coverage. 

More information about Medicare is also available on the Medicare Facebook page and by following @MedicareGov on Twitter.

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All materials available on this site have been paid for and developed by the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. They are provided for free use and will expire on December 31^st, 2018.

SOURCE U.S. Department of Health & Human Services