Open Enrollment and Medicare are often confusing, particularly if you haven't had to apply for them before. Adler Insurance in Prescott wants to shine a light on important information that will help seniors not only apply, but also discuss the intricacies of Arizona Medicare numbers.
Q: When is Medicare Open Enrollment for 2017 coverage?A: For 2017 Medicare coverage, open enrollment is in the fall of 2016, from October 15 to December 7. (The specific dates changed in 2011, but have been the same ever since, and should remain as-is for the foreseeable future.)
During this annual enrollment period (AEP) you can make changes to various aspects of your coverage.
- You can switch from Original Medicare to Medicare Advantage, or vice versa.
- You can also switch from one Medicare Advantage plan to another, or from one Medicare Part D (prescription drug) plan to another.
If you want to enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan, you must meet some basic criteria.
- You must be enrolled in Medicare Part A and B.
- You must live in the plan’s service area.
If you’re already enrolled in a Medicare Part D prescription plan or a Medicare Advantage Plan and you don’t want to make changes to your coverage for 2017, you don’t need to do anything during open enrollment, assuming your current plan will still be available in 2017.
In Arizona in 2017:
- 100 percent of people with Medicare have access to a Medicare Advantage plan.
- 71 Medicare Advantage plans are available.
- 22 Medicare Prescription Drug Plans are available.
- 83 percent of people with Part D have access to a plan with a lower premium than what they paid in 2016.
- 27 percent of people with Medicare Part D get Extra Help (also called the low-income subsidy, or LIS).
- $17 is the lowest monthly premium for a prescription drug plan.
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