​Dec 7 marks the official end of Medicare Annual Enrollment Period …..  
AND there are opportunities beyond that date to review your Medicare coverage and make changes. 

​Chronic Disease – Special Needs Plans ( C-SNP)

​These plans are designed especially for those beneficiaries diagnosed with specific health conditions. Plans are more robust with medical benefits; lower copays, per-day costs for hospitalization, and such. If you qualify, you can enroll any time of the year. 
​
​In NC, we have several plans designed for Heart Disease & Diabetes

Chronic Special Needs Plans

And by the way, Dave Trout is on this plan !! 

Five Star Medicare Advantage Plans

​These plans have earned Medicare highest rating.  As such You may enroll in one of these plans all during the year. We have one in our area.  Great Option to consider.

Disaster or Weather Related Special Enrollment Period  ( SEP ) ​

​Local government may declare special emergencies with regards to weather events – like hurricanes or our recent wildfires. In turn Medicare ( CMS- centers of Medicare and Medicaid  ) can declare an SEP  in regards to Medicare enrollment - lastly the individual insurance companies may state if they will participate.

If you live in an affected area and did not make a new selection - you may state so in reference to a new enrollment
You Can:

• Change from a Medicare Supplement to Medicare Advantage
• Change to another Medicare Advantage plan
• Change your Medicare RX prescription plan

​If you are currently Medicare Advantage -  go back to Original Medicare  and add Medicare Supplement and Rx plan 

Disaster Special Enrollment Periods

Open Enrollment (January 1st - March 31st)​

Medicare turned this back on a couple years ago. This allows folks to change their Medicare plans -one time only during this period . The reasoning was that seniors may made a selection as early as Oct 15, and then their needs, doctors, medical conditions, Rx, etc. may change in the next upcoming months.
Many of us schedule our annual physical early in the year and there may be “ something bad “ that pops up

Months of January, February and March to 3/31.
New coverage effective first day of next month

You can ….

• Change to another Medicare Advantage plan
• If you are currently Medicare Advantage -  go back to Original Medicare  and add Medicare Supplement and Rx plan

Remember: Only ONE change allowed

​Replace your Current Medicare Supplement (​with more effective one)

If you have had a Medicare supplement / Gap plan for some years, you have seen those premiums increase. This happens with any insurance company due to increasing  age and claims for everyone on that plan – NOT your individual medical events.

You may apply for a New Supplement ANY TIME of the year. These would have Lower Premiums, even for the same plan style plan you have now.

AND – Health questions and underwriting will apply.  The new insurance company can and will say “ NO “ if you have recent or ongoing health issues.

​That said, if you have not had a new diagnosis in the last 2 to 5 years, it is likely that you will be accepted.  

Dual Eligible Medicare & Medicaid.

If you have both Medicare and Medicaid, you may change any time during the year.- Once per each calendar quarter.  The insurance companies have increased benefits so it is always a good idea to review your plan 

Contact Your Agent To Learn More!

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