This Thursday, October 15, is the first day of Medicare Annual Enrollment. Annual Enrollment is the time for people who are already on Medicare to evaluate their current health/drug coverage to see if they should change carriers/plans effective 1/1/2016.
People who are on a Medicare Advantage/HMO plan should review their 2016 benefits (provided by their current carrier during September, 2015) to see what changes, if any, will be effective next year. The same applies to people who are on a stand-alone drug plan.
Medicare supplement/medigap policies do not change – the plan benefits are defined by Medicare. However, if someone is considering changing from a medigap policy and stand-alone drug plan to a Medicare Advantage/HMO plan, Medicare Annual Enrollment is when they can request the change which will be effective 1/1/2016.
Annual Medicare Enrollment lasts from October 15 thru December 7.