Tag Archives: aep

Medicare Open Enrollment – AEP

It’s that time of year, again.  We are coming up on the Annual Election Period (AEP) for Medicare.  That means you are going to be seeing a lot of commercials and receiving a lot of mail about making changes.  You may be wondering what you should do, if anything.

So, what do you need to do?  It depends.

The AEP is the Open Enrollment period for Medicare Advantage Plans and Part D drug plans that occurs every year from October 15th through December 7th.  This is the time for those that may want to make changes which will become effective January 1, 2018.  Remember that the insurance companies that offer Medicare Advantage Plans and Part D drug plans can change them from year-to-year.  You will receive a letter from the insurance company called an Annual Notice of Change (ANOC) that will describe any changes they are going to make for the coming year.  If you are happy with the plan and want to keep it, you don’t have to do anything.  Just continue to pay your premium (if applicable) and the plan will remain in effect for 2019.

If your prescriptions have changed, you can update them at Medicare.gov.  Also, if you have any changes in doctors, you can look to see if they participate with your plan.  All of the new Plan information will be available Oct. 1st in Medicare.gov.  You can’t make any changes until October 15th.  If you want to make any changes or have questions or need assistance, contact me.

Medicare Supplements aka, Medigap policies, are not impacted by the AEP. They are guaranteed renewable as long as premiums are paid.

As always, call me with any questions, any time about your Medicare coverages.  I will help you sort through the info and options.  Thanks, David.

Based in the Richmond, Va area, David Higgs of Choices In Medicare specializes in helping seniors transition to Medicare.  He can be reached at email:  David@ChoicesInMedicare.com or go to website:  www.ChoicesInMedicare.com

National Check Your Meds Day and AEP

A pharmacy trade group association has declared Oct. 21st, National Check Your Meds Day.  I think this is a great idea especially with Medicare’s Annual Election Period (AEP) right around the corner beginning Oct. 15th and ending Dec. 7th each year.

Many people and especially seniors, take a large number of medications.  While many are needed, many are not needed as they are duplicates doing double duty with other medications that do the same thing.  The worst case scenario is some of the medications can be lethal when taken with other medications.  You would think this can’t happen because the doctor should know better.  Unfortunately, many times the doctor does not know what else someone is taking.  Some people have several doctors treating different medical conditions and not aware of other prescriptions.

So, everyone that is taking more than several medications should take advantage of this special day to proactively have them all checked.  It is as simple as taking all of your prescriptions (the actual bottles) to your pharmacy for a review.  They can tell you if there are any potential problems and perhaps check with your doctor about any issues raised.

This is good timing because you should also check your Medicare Part D drug plan for any changes.  Your Annual Notice of Change booklet from your Drug plan will alert you to the plan changes effective the coming Jan. 1st.  Also, your prescriptions could have changed and worth taking a look at your options.

This is what I do for clients day in and day out.   Let me know if I can answer any questions.  David Higgs

Based in the Richmond, Va area, David Higgs of Choices In Medicare specializes in helping seniors transition to Medicare.  He can be reached at email:  David@ChoicesInMedicare.com or go to website:  www.ChoicesInMedicare.com

Medicare Part D Drug Plan Premiums Lower for 2018!

Here is something you don’t see very often.  CMS who oversees Medicare has projected that the average Medicare Part D Drug Plan premium is expected to decrease in 2018!  Based upon the bids by insurers for their 2018 Drug Plans, the national average premium is about $1.20 less than 2017 national average of $34.70.

This is in spite of the fact that Medicare Drug costs are rising faster than other Medicare costs primarily due to high-cost specialty drugs.  So, while this is  not a lot, it is a change in the trajectory which is good.

You can read more about it at the article linked here:  https://www.cms.gov/Newsroom/MediaReleaseDatabase/Press-releases/2017-Press-releases-items/2017-08-02-3.html

Based in the Richmond, Va area, David Higgs of Choices In Medicare specializes in helping seniors transition to Medicare.  He can be reached at email:  David@ChoicesInMedicare.com or go to website:  www.ChoicesInMedicare.com

News Update on Mergers (Aetna/Humana & Anthem/Cigna)

Lately, there has been a lot of attention in the news to the pending mergers between Aetna and Humana as well as Anthem and Cigna.  The latest news is about the federal suits to stop the mergers.  The main thing I want my clients to know is that with or without the mergers, their Medicare Plan will remain in place.  This will mainly pertain to Medicare Advantage Plans and Part D drug plans.  If there are going to be changes, they will occur at the Annual Election Period (AEP) where they can make a change if needed.  In addition, if the merger(s) proceed, it will be years not months.  As usual, I will help my clients with this.

Feel free to call me with any questions as this process continues.  David.

Based in the Richmond, Va area, David Higgs of Choices In Medicare specializes in helping seniors transition to Medicare.  He can be reached at email:  David@ChoicesInMedicare.com or go to website:  www.ChoicesInMedicare.com

2016 Medicare AEP Opens Oct. 15th Through Dec. 7th

It’s that time of year again for Medicare beneficiaries.  The 2016 AEP, or Annual Election Period, is the one time per year when Medicare beneficiaries can change their Medicare Advantage Plan or Part D drug plan without needing a special election period.  People who have a Medicare Supplement policy do not have to do anything with their policy unless they want to change their prescription plan.  The AEP begins Oct. 15th and runs through Dec. 7th.

Keep in mind this is also the only time the insurance companies can make changes to their plans.  If they do, they will send the member an Annual Notice of Change (ANOC) describing the changes for the upcoming year to be effective on January 1st.

If beneficiaries have questions or want to make changes, they should contact their insurance carrier or agent.

Or, they can contact David Higgs of Choices In Medicare at David@ChoicesInMedicare.com with questions.

Advantages of an Independent Medicare Insurance Agent

Again, I have completed all of my re-certifications for the upcoming AEP to continue being eligible to offer all of the Medicare Insurance plan types in Virginia.  This includes Medicare Supplement plans (Medigap), Part C Medicare Advantage Plans and Part D drug plans.  I have the re-certifications for all of the available Medicare Advantage plans and most Part D drug plans for the Central Virginia area as well as 7 of the most well-known Medicare Supplement plans.

It occurred to me what an advantage this is for clients and prospective clients who contact me with questions about enrolling in Medicare.  As an independent agent, I don’t work for any of the insurance companies, but am licensed, appointed and certified to represent the major Medicare insurers.  This means I can help people navigate through the many options available to them.  I become a one-stop resource instead of them having to contact multiple insurance companies one by one.  Without any bias towards any particular insurance company or type of plan, I help people find the best fit for them based upon their particular circumstances.  And, I don’t cost my clients anything.  You can imagine what they would get if they contacted an insurance company direct.

If you have questions about Medicare, contact David Higgs at David@ChoicesInMedicare.com or go to website: www.ChoicesInMedicare.com.

ONLY TWO MORE WEEKS TO MAKE MEDICARE PLAN CHANGES!

ONLY TWO MORE WEEKS REMAIN FOR MAKING CHANGES TO YOUR MEDICARE PLAN.  WE ARE NOW IN THE OFFICIAL MEDICARE OPEN ENROLLMENT SEASON CALLED AEP WHICH RUNS FROM OCT 15TH TO DEC 7TH.  THIS IS THE TIME WHEN MEDICARE BENEFICIARIES CAN ENROLL, DROP OR CHANGE THEIR MEDICARE ADVANTAGE OR PART D PRESCRIPTION PLAN.  AS IT CAN BE OVERWHELMING TO COMPARE AND ANALYZE THE DIFFERENT OPTIONS, WE HELP AND AT NO COST TO THE CLIENT.  GO TO WWW.CHOICESINMEDICARE.COM.

Only 3 More Weeks to Make Changes in Medicare Coverages

ONLY THREE MORE WEEKS REMAIN FOR MAKING CHANGES TO YOUR MEDICARE PLAN.  WE ARE NOW IN THE OFFICIAL MEDICARE OPEN ENROLLMENT SEASON CALLED AEP WHICH RUNS FROM OCT 15TH TO DEC 7TH.  THIS IS THE TIME WHEN MEDICARE BENEFICIARIES CAN ENROLL, DROP OR CHANGE THEIR MEDICARE ADVANTAGE OR PART D PRESCRIPTION PLAN.  AS IT CAN BE OVERWHELMING TO COMPARE AND ANALYZE THE DIFFERENT OPTIONS, WE HELP AND AT NO COST TO THE CLIENT.  GO TO WWW.CHOICESINMEDICARE.COM.

Medicare Open Enrollment AEP Help

We are now in the official Medicare Open Enrollment season called AEP which runs from Oct 15th to Dec 7th.  This is the time when Medicare Beneficiaries can enroll, drop or change their Medicare Advantage or Part D Prescription plan.  As it can be overwhelming to compare and analyze the different options, we help and at no cost to the client.  Go to www.ChoicesInMedicare.com.