Medicare AEP is Coming Soon!
The time is almost here again – Medicare’s Annual Enrollment Period (AEP). What does this mean? It is an opportunity to assess what your needs are so that you can be prepared for the upcoming year. The dates of AEP run from October 15th through December 7th and during this time you have the ability to change, or even drop, your Medicare coverage. There are several key things you will want to do before AEP arrives:
- Read your Annual Notice of Change (ANOC). You should receive this in the fall (September) prior to AEP beginning. This document will review all the changes in both cost and coverage that are coming to your current plan.
- Review your Medicare Summary Notice (MSN), if you have Original Medicare. Review your Explanation of Benefits (EOB) if you have Medicare Advantage. Both of these documents share the benefits you receives along with how much your plan pays for them. This really helps when comparing other plans to what you have now.
- Make note of any health changes you have had in the past year. This includes minor changes.
- Write down all of the healthcare providers you use. You will want to make sure that your preferred providers are covered in your plans for the upcoming year. Even if they were covered last year, you will still want to check this to avoid any potential issues.
Annual Notice of Change (ANOC)
Why is this such a big deal? If you are already a beneficiary of Original Medicare, Medicare Advantage, or a Medicare Part D plan, you will get one of these each fall and it will include any and all changes to the coverage you currently have. This will help you determine if that same plan will continue to meet your unique needs in the upcoming year. If you have a Medicare Supplement plan, you will not receive an ANOC because these plans do not incur annual changes to benefits.
If you do not get your ANOC by the end of September, please reach out to us, we are happy to help get you the documents you need to make a quality decision for a best-fit plan for you in the upcoming year.
It’s Also Time for SCAMS
While fall brings AEP and the anticipation of change in coverage, AEP brings out the scammers. Please remember, if you receive a call with an offer of “free supplies,” “no-cost lab tests,” or say you need a replacement Medicare card, these are all scammers attempting to get your Medicare number.
Don’t fall for it! Remember, the REAL Medicare will never ask you for your Medicare number – they already have it!
>>Download our FREE Guide to Avoid Phone Scams!
Need help looking at your options? Give Karen or Matt a call at 865-203-2040 or email us at contact@seniorinsurancespecialty.com!
*We do not offer every plan available in your area. Currently we represent 11 organizations which offer 126 products in your area. You can contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE, or your local State Health Insurance Program for help with plan choices.