Even though the Medicare Annual Enrollment period happens every year, many people find it a bit confusing. But it doesn’t have to be. This article will help you make sense of it all, so you can make the best choices for your health — with confidence.What is Medicare Annual Enrollment (AEP)?It’s the one time of year when all Medicare-eligible people can pick their health and prescription coverages for the next calendar year. You may also hear this referred to as the “Medicare sign up period,” “Medicare open season” or “filing for Medicare benefits.” During AEP, you can select Original Medicare coverage (also known as Part A &amp; Part B) and prescription drug coverage (Part D). Or you can also choose an all-in-one Medicare Advantage plan (Part C) that typically includes your medical coverages, plus prescriptions, dental, vision and hearing. What are the Medicare enrollment dates?The Medicare AEP 2021 dates are as follows: October 15th: first day to enrollDecember 7th: last day to enroll  Do I need to enroll every year?It’s important to actively choose your coverage for the next year. Here’s why: Medicare plans often change from one year to the next. So, you should make sure you’re aware of any changes, and how they’ll affect your costs and coverage. Keep in mind, your healthcare needs may also have changed since you chose your current plan.The Annual Enrollment Period 2021 is your opportunity to shop around to see if there’s a better plan offered by your current insurance provider, or even a different company. Remember, the choice is up to you. How do I know if my current plan will be changing?Every fall you should receive an Annual Notice of Change (ANOC) from your health insurance company. This notice outlines any expected changes to your plan’s costs, healthcare benefits or physician network. You can also contact the health insurance company directly to ask questions.  What if I miss the AEP Medicare 2021 deadline?If you miss the December 7th deadline, your current coverage may automatically renew for the next year. But again, you are better off making an informed choice for yourself, rather than letting the coverage just roll over into the next year.  What’s the difference between open enrollment and annual enrollment?The Medicare Annual Enrollment Period is your chance to choose coverage for the NEXT calendar year. The period runs from October 15 - December 7, 2021 to select a plan for 2022.The Medicare Open Enrollment Period is for people who signed up for a Medicare Advantage plan (during the Annual Enrollment Period) and would like to make a change for the CURRENT calendar year. This period runs from January 1 - March 31, 2022. It’s essentially a “do-over” if you are unhappy with the choice you made during AEP. How do I get started?There are plenty of resources out there. You can visit the websites of private health insurance companies to gather information or call them to get price/plan quotes. You can also visit the Federal Government&#39;s Medicare information website at https://www.medicare.gov/Another popular option is to contact a Medicare agency like SeekMedicare. You’ll be able to speak with licensed Medicare experts who can answer your questions and help you sign up for Medicare plans in your area. At SeekMedicare, we’ll compare plans across different insurance companies and provide an objective evaluation. Then we’ll give you a personalized recommendation for the best plan in your area that meets your needs — no matter which insurance company offers it. And we provide this service absolutely free with no obligation to enroll.So, when it comes to Medicare Annual Enrollment, here are 3 important takeaways: 1) Remember the enrollment dates.2) Do your research or contact a licensed Medicare agency for help.3) Evaluate all your options. Your current plan may not be the best option, so be sure to shop around.When you remember these important items, you’ll be in the best position to get the Medicare coverage that fits your needs.5 TIPS TO PREPARE FOR ANNUAL ENROLLMENT  Make a note of the deadlinesOpen enrollment runs from October 15th - December 7th. You must enroll by the deadline to ensure coverage for 2022.Review your current coveragePlans change yearly. You should receive an annual notice of change alerting you of adjustments to your benefits or costs for 2022.Make a list of your doctorsThis will help you choose a plan with a network that includes the doctors you know and trust.Estimate your monthly budget for healthcare expensesThere are many Medicare plans to choose from, with a range of benefits and costs.Ask about all-in-one Medicare Advantage plansThese plans include the benefits of Medicare Parts A &amp; B, plus prescription coverage, dental, vision and other valuable benefits.

Making Sense of the Medicare Annual Enrollment Period (AEP)

This option is available from private insurance companies and the coverage helps pay out-of-pocket costs not covered by Medicare Parts A &amp; B.Also known as Medigap, Medicare Supplement insurance covers the 20% of costs not covered by Original Medicare. It does not cover prescription drug costs (Part D) and typically does not cover any additional benefits like dental, vision or hearing.There are several different levels of Medicare Supplement coverage depending on your needs and budget. Note:  if you are on a Medicare Advantage plan, you cannot also have a Medicare Supplement plan.

What is Medigap or Supplemental insurance and what kind of coverage does it offer?

What is Medigap / Supplemental Insurance?

If you don’t sign up for Prescription drug coverage when you first become eligible, you may incur a penalty (increased premium) when you sign up later.  This also applies if you go for more than 63 consecutive days without some kind of creditable prescription drug coverage.

What happens if you don’t enroll in a Part D plan when you first become eligible

What if I don’t sign up for Medicare Part D when I first become eligible?

Medicare Part D refers to optional prescription drug coverage. This is not covered by Original Medicare or Medicare Supplement plans, but is often included with Medicare Advantage plans.  You can purchase separate stand-alone Part D coverage plans.Anyone who is eligible for Medicare can enroll in a Medicare Part D plan. These are plans that help pay for prescription medications, and are only available from private insurance companies, with oversight by CMS.

What is a prescription drug plan and what does it do?

What is a Prescription Drug Plan (Part D)?

Medicare Advantage (also known as Medicare Part C) plans replace Original Medicare and are offered by private insurance companies, with oversight from CMS. Medicare Advantage Plans cover everything that Original Medicare (Parts A &amp; B cover) and can also offer additional benefits such as vision, hearing, dental, over-the-counter, fitness, transportation and more. Most plans also include prescription drug coverage. Plans may have lower out-of-pocket costs than Original Medicare.

What is Medicare Advantage and what type of coverage does it offer

What is Medicare Advantage (Part C)?

Original (or Traditional) Medicare refers to Medicare Parts A &amp; B, which are administered directly by CMS.  Part A covers inpatient hospital-related services, skilled nursing facilities and in limited circumstances at-home and emergency care. Part B covers medical services and supplies that are medically necessary to treat your health condition. These services include doctor visits, lab tests, outpatient care, preventive services, ambulance services, immunizations, &amp; necessary equipment like wheelchairs. Original Medicare covers 80% of Part A &amp; B costs, but it does not cover prescription drugs (otherwise known as Part D) or any other medical services.If you don’t enroll in Part B when you’re first eligible, or if you drop it and enroll again later, you may have to pay a late-enrollment penalty for as long as you have Medicare.

What is Original Medicare and what type of coverage does it offer

What is Original Medicare?

Medicare is the health insurance program provided by the U.S. government (and administered by the U.S. Centers for Medicare &amp; Medicaid Services (CMS)) to U.S. citizens who are 65+ (plus permanent residents with more than 5 years continuous residency). People under 65 with certain disabilities may also qualify.

A brief overview of what Medicare is and who may qualify

What is Medicare?

SeekMedicare gives individuals eligible for Medicare a better way to search for—and match with—the best Medicare coverage based on their unique health needs and budget, no matter the carrier.

Who is SeekMedicare and what do we do?

First off - who is SeekMedicare?

If you’re turning 65 this year or thinking of retiring soon, you might want to consider the differences between Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage plans. Original Medicare is a federal government-managed program that is managed by the Centers for Medicare &amp; Medicaid Services (CMS). It is what’s known as a fee-for-service system, meaning each treatment is paid for separately.Medicare Advantage plans, also known as Part C, are operated by private companies that contract directly with CMS. Like Original Medicare, these plans provide coverage for hospitals, home care nursing, and hospice care facilities (Part A), as well as medical insurance for doctor visits and other health care providers (Part B).But Medicare Advantage can hold many benefits over Original Medicare. Here are four reasons why choosing Medicare Advantage might be a better fit for you:1. Medicare Advantage plans are simplerIf you choose Original Medicare for your coverage, you will need to sign up for individual prescription drug coverage (Part D). This will allow you to obtain care from any provider that accepts Medicare, but you will also have to review claims for each service you receive. You may also select a Medigap policy for supplemental coverage but you will have to sign up for this individually too.Medicare Advantage simplifies this process. It combines Parts A and B into a single plan and also often includes prescription drug coverage. Medicare Advantage plans are managed by a private insurance company and, if you choose a Medicare Advantage plan, it takes the place of Original Medicare. While beneficiaries can choose plans that have access to only in-network healthcare providers, certain types of Medicare Advantage plans also offer out-of-network benefits, giving you greater flexibility in the doctors you see to get care.2. You can get more for your moneyFor most people who paid Medicare taxes throughout their working years, Part A is premium-free. However, there is a premium for Part B, which starts at  $148.50 per month in 2021 and is calculated based on your monthly income. Regardless if you choose Original Medicare or Medicare Advantage for your coverage, you&#39;ll still have the Part B premium.Medicare Advantage plans are an attractive option because they include all of the services covered by Medicare Parts A &amp; B, and often provide even more benefits than Original Medicare. These additional benefits can include transportation to doctor appointments, vision and dental benefits, reimbursement for over-the-counter medications (e.g., aspirin) and gym memberships.Another benefit of some Medicare Advantage plans is that they often include both medical and prescription drug coverage. Many of these Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug plans (MAPDs) have $0 premiums, which can amount to significant annual savings compared to Original Medicare with a Prescription Drug Plan purchased separately.Those living with a chronic illness may also find plans with benefits specifically tailored to help them better manage their conditions. Such plans may include benefits like a dedicated Care Coordinator, lower out of pocket costs on medical supplies or a personal safety device.Today, there are plenty of Medicare Advantage and MAPD plans that start with $0 premiums and, in some markets, there are even plans that pay all or a portion of your Part B premium. There are also Medicare Advantage plans offering further enhanced benefits for a monthly premium. All in all, today’s Medicare Advantage plans can provide amazing opportunities to save money and receive additional benefits when compared to Original Medicare.3. Financial peace of mind Although Medicare Advantage plans may look similar based on their premiums, there are often marked differences between their deductibles, co-payments, and co-insurance. Patients on Medicare Advantage plans know in advance what their copays will be for most services.Medicare Advantage plans also have what&#39;s called a &amp;quot;Maximum-Out-of-Pocket&amp;quot; (MOOP) limit, which caps the total amount you would have to spend on covered services in any given year. This protection can provide peace of mind as you know there is a ceiling on your out-of-pocket medical expenses in a given year.Original Medicare has no such limit. After meeting the annual deductible—$203 in 2021—Original Medicare beneficiaries must typically pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount for most doctor services, including those while in the hospital as well as outpatient therapy and durable medical equipment. These costs could amount to a catastrophic financial hit for someone who experiences a significant health event such as an accident, hospitalization, or sudden illness.4. Better care coordinationDoctors are increasingly taking a more holistic view of their patients’ health and root causes rather than just treating their symptoms. This more comprehensive approach includes focusing on things such as health literacy, diet, ease of access to care, and socioeconomic factors like income, housing, or access to healthy food.Many Medicare Advantage plans are following this trend and coordinating care for members under the supervision of their primary care provider. This allows the doctor to offer more personalized care for an individual&#39;s medical needs, and can lead to improved care and reduced medical costs.While Medicare Advantage offers additional benefits to Original Medicare, making such an important decision like choosing the best plan for your needs often requires some work because there are so many options. If you have recently become eligible for Medicare and would like assistance, we can help simplify the process and find the right coverage option and the right plan for you.Individuals already on a Medicare Advantage plan who are looking to change their plan can do so either during the current Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (OEP)—the period from January 1 to March 31st where current Medicare Advantage beneficiaries can change coverage options—or during the Annual Enrollment Period (OEP) from October 15 - December 7 each year.Whether you’re newly eligible for Medicare or already have Medicare Parts A &amp; B, SeekMedicare is here to offer neutral advice completely free and with no obligation to enroll. Our Medicare Match technology compares dozens of plans across markets and health care providers while taking your unique health needs and budget into consideration.To speak with one of our licensed agents now, call 1-844-955-3690 or request a call here.When you sign up for a plan through SeekMedicare, whenever you need help — whether for a specific question, a mid-year plan review, or during the annual enrollment period — we’ll be here to guide you every step of the way.

Medicare Advantage can hold many benefits over Original Medicare. Here are four reasons why choosing Medicare Advantage might be a better fit for you.

Four Reasons To Consider Medicare Advantage Over Original Medicare

Finding the right Medicare plan is complicated. The right plan for you may be vastly different than the one for your spouse, neighbor or friend. Even worse, rates, rules and plan benefits change every year. Choosing the wrong coverage is frustrating and can cause you to pay more than you need to. On top of that, many Medicare markets offer more than 30 coverage options, which makes even the idea of changing or choosing a plan overwhelming. Often, people choose to stay with the plan they already have, even if they’re unhappy, simply to avoid the stress and uncertainty of something new.At SeekMedicare, our goal is to take the frustration out of shopping for Medicare plans and make finding the one that best fits your needs and budget as simple as possible. So, whether you’re just turning 65 or already have a Medicare plan and want to see if there’s a plan that’s better suited for you, here are four key questions to ask.1. Does the plan provide coverage that aligns with my specific health needs?            
            If you have a specific health condition, make sure that whatever plan you choose will cover the treatment you need without additional fees. Traditional Medicare includes Part A for hospital services, Part B for doctors services, and Part D for prescription drugs. For coverage that can include additional services, look for Medicare Advantage plans, also known as Part C. Today, many Medicare Advantage plans include transportation, dental and vision benefits in addition to medical and prescription drug coverage.2. Does this plan work with my provider, specialists and pharmacy?Not every medical office, individual doctor or pharmacy will accept your specific plan. Check to see whether your providers of choice are in-network before selecting your coverage for the year. The good news is that today, with an average of 30 available plans in any given market, coverage that includes your physicians and pharmacy is likely always available. You just have to find it — and that’s what we’re here for.3. Does this plan work with my budget and provide cost savings?Don’t be too quick to choose the cheapest plan. Many people believe that the lowest cost plan is the right plan for their needs, but this isn’t always true! For example, if you choose a plan that saves a few dollars per month, it may restrict which doctors you can see or which prescriptions you can get without paying out-of-pocket costs. While Medicare Advantage plans may look similar based on their premiums, there will be marked differences between them regarding deductibles, co-payments and co-insurance, and especially so with the particular drugs that you need to keep you healthy. Finally, cheaper plans may not include extras such as vision and dental. Don’t give up on essential benefits for what seems like savings — it can end up costing you more later.4. Does this plan include additional benefits?            
            While Traditional Medicare typically does not cover preventive or routine dental, hearing or vision care, many Medicare Advantage plans today do! Medicare Advantage plans may also cover transportation to doctor visits and some even provide money for over-the-counter drugs such as aspirin. If you have a chronic illness, you may also find plans that tailor their benefit packages for your condition.These questions are a great place to start to find the best plan for your individual needs. If you would like assistance finding the right plan for you, SeekMedicare is here to offer neutral advice completely free and with no obligation to enroll. Our Medicare Match technology compares dozens of plans across markets and health care providers while taking your unique health needs and budget into consideration.To speak with one of our licensed agents now, call 1-844-955-3690 or request a call here.When you sign up for a plan through SeekMedicare, whenever you need help — whether for a specific question, a mid-year plan review or during the annual enrollment period — we’ll be here to guide you every step of the way.

Finding the right Medicare plan is complicated. The right plan for you may be vastly different than the one for your spouse, neighbor or friend. Even worse, rates, rules and plan benefits change every year.

Four Key Questions to Consider When Shopping for Your Medicare Plan

Nobody likes shopping for a Medicare plan. It’s nearly impossible to sort through all of the details, whether it’s reading the seemingly endless pages of coverage changes, crunching numbers on the cost of medication, comparing plans and carriers or researching which providers are in your network plan. It’s a headache. And it probably seems like the process is a nightmare by design. That’s one reason why fewer than one in 10 Medicare beneficiaries even bother changing their plan — not because they’re enrolled in the best plan for them, but because the process is so confusing that it’s hard to figure out which plan’s benefits will help them the most.SeekMedicare is differentThe vast majority of consumers — four out of five Medicare beneficiaries — find their Medicare plan through a broker. That can be a nice time-saver, but it doesn’t guarantee consumers are getting the plan that best fits their needs. Typically, Medicare brokers align themselves with one or two specific insurance plans. This relationship means Medicare brokers are incentivized to steer clients toward a plan that is tied to their own financial interest, but that plan may not be the one that best suits the consumer’s needs. In other words, the system is backward; it is geared toward helping insurance companies enroll consumers instead of helping consumers enroll in the plan that’s best for them.SeekMedicare puts your needs first. We are a consumer-focused broker that guides Medicare consumers into plans that align with their unique needs. We remain neutral by contracting with numerous plans in each market, and we ensure our neutrality by not contracting exclusively or taking marketing dollars from insurance plans. Our impartial approach means consumers can trust us to objectively identify the best plans for them based on their specific medical and financial needs.How does it work?We know that Medicare consumers rarely feel confident about their decision to enroll in one plan over another. By the end of the Annual Enrollment Period (AEP), consumers often walk away feeling confused, deflated and disempowered.That’s why SeekMedicare’s first priority is education and transparency. Our mission is to get consumers the most out of their coverage, and that starts with making sure they understand their plan. Using our personalized Medicare Match technology, SeekMedicare pairs consumers with plans by taking into account details, including their preferred doctor and if they are in-network, the impact of copays and deductibles and the cost of their medications.SeekMedicare doesn’t just help consumers. We also provide brokers with our tools and data so they can offer consumers the best possible advice. Our analytics-based and AI-powered platform identifies coverage issues across carriers at the county-level to help brokers solve real coverage problems for consumers.We also know that there is a multitude of plan options in every Medicare market today. To simplify the process for both consumers and brokers, our Medicare Match technology provides them with at least two coverage recommendations that track with their needs.Why SeekMedicare?Medicare enrollment can be frustrating, no matter who you are. It’s confusing for consumers and complex for brokers. Those realities often push consumers into enrolling in plans that don’t match their personal budget and health care needs.We think you deserve the plan that’s right for you. In today’s Medicare marketplace, there are at least 20 available plans in each market and we believe the right plan is out there for you. Our technology simplifies the process from start to finish, comparing plans across carriers and delivering the results in an easy-to-understand format for beneficiaries and the brokers who serve them.This is how healthcare should work: for you.To learn more about SeekMedicare, visit our site or step into select Walgreens locations around the country to collect more information or receive a free consultation starting on October 15, 2020.

Take the headache out of choosing a plan with SeekMedicare

Trying to Find a Medicare Plan? Take the headache out of choosing a plan with SeekMedicare.