December 7 is the last day you can make changes to your Medicare Advantage and Medicare Part D plan choices for 2012 plans. Be sure to review your coverage and needs in time to make changes before the deadline this coming Wednesday.
If you miss the Annual Enrollment Period window, you may have to wait until the Annual Enrollment Period opens again on October 15 next year to make plan changes, unless you qualify for an exception.
During Open Enrollment, you can:
Change the way you get your Medicare coverage. There are two ways to get Medicare. You can choose Original Medicare, which is run by the federal government, or you can choose a Medicare Advantage plan from a private insurance company. Whichever way you currently receive your Medicare health benefits, during AEP, you can choose to change it.
Switch your Medicare Advantage plan. If you already have a Medicare Advantage plan, and you are looking for a different plan that may better meet your needs, AEP is your time to act. You can find a plan that includes or does not include prescription drug coverage.
Adjust Medicare prescription drug plan. During Open Enrollment is the only time during the year that you can join a Medicare prescription drug plan, switch from one Medicare prescription drug plan to a different Medicare prescription drug plan, or drop your Medicare prescription drug coverage completely.
Any changes you make to your coverage during Open Enrollment take effect on January 1, 2012.
For more information and guidance, visit AgingCare.com's Caregiver's Guide to Open Enrollment.