what is medicare open enrollment 2017

Full Answer

When's the Medicare open enrollment period?

When’s the Medicare Open Enrollment Period? Every year, Medicare’s open enrollment period is October 15 - December 7. What’s the Medicare Open Enrollment Period? Medicare health and drug plans can make changes each year—things like cost, coverage, and what providers and pharmacies are in their networks.

Can I Change my Medicare plan after the annual enrollment period ends?

After the Annual Enrollment Period ends, most Medicare recipients will need to wait until the next period to make changes to a plan unless they participate in the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period or qualify for a Special Enrollment Period due to certain life events. What Can Be Changed During the Annual Enrollment Period?

What is Medicare annual enrollment period (AEP)?

Likewise, AEP allows Medicare recipients to either opt into Part D coverage or make changes to existing Part D coverage. If a Medicare recipient did not sign up for Part D coverage initially and chooses to make the switch during open enrollment, a penalty may apply. Why Does the Annual Enrollment Period Occur for a Limited Time?

What happens if I switch to Medicare Part D during open enrollment?

If a Medicare recipient did not sign up for Part D coverage initially and chooses to make the switch during open enrollment, a penalty may apply. Why Does the Annual Enrollment Period Occur for a Limited Time?

What is the purpose of Medicare Open Enrollment?

Fall Open Enrollment is the time of year when you can change your Medicare coverage. You can: Join a new Medicare Advantage Plan or stand-alone prescription drug plan (Part D) plan. Switch between Original Medicare with or without a Part D plan and Medicare Advantage.

What is the difference between Open Enrollment and general enrollment for Medicare?

During this Medigap Open Enrollment Period, you can buy a Medicare Supplement plan without fear of being rejected or charged a higher premium because of a health condition. The Medicare Supplement Open Enrollment Period starts the month you're both 65 or older, and enrolled in Medicare Part B. It goes for six months.

What is the purpose of Open Enrollment?

In the U.S., open enrollment season is a period of time when employees may elect or change the benefit options available through their employer, such as health, dental and life insurance, and ancillary or voluntary benefits ranging from legal services to pet insurance.

What is the Medicare initial enrollment period?

Initial Enrollment Period – a 7-month period when someone is first eligible for Medicare. For those eligible due to age, this period begins 3 months before they turn 65, includes the month they turn 65, and ends 3 months after they turn 65.

Do I automatically get Medicare when I turn 65?

You automatically get Medicare when you turn 65 Part A covers inpatient hospital stays, skilled nursing facility care, hospice care, and some home health care. Part B covers certain doctors' services, outpatient care, medical supplies, and preventive services.

Is it necessary to enroll in Medicare each year?

How often do you have to enroll in Medicare? In general, once you're enrolled in Medicare, you don't need to take action to renew your coverage every year. This is true whether you are in Original Medicare, a Medicare Advantage plan, or a Medicare prescription drug plan.

What is the difference between annual enrollment and open enrollment?

Here's the bottom line on AE vs OE: Annual enrollment is for employees who get health insurance as part of their benefits. Open enrollment is for people who get insurance on the individual market. But everyone can make changes to their health insurance at any time of year, if they have a qualifying event.

How old are most Medicare recipients?

65 or olderMedicare – Federal health insurance program for: ✓ Most people who are 65 or older ✓ Certain younger people with disabilities ✓ Certain people with End-Stage Renal Disease • Fee-for-Service (FFS) Medicare – The original system, where Medicare pays providers for each service rendered.

How do I prepare for open enrollment?

Preparing for Open EnrollmentKnow the dates. The open enrollment period is for a specific time frame. ... Consider all cost factors. ... Know the network. ... Review coverage details carefully. ... Understand insurer processes. ... Confirm that the plan is ACA-compliant.

What are the three enrollment periods for Medicare?

When you turn 65, you have a seven month window to enroll in Medicare. This includes three months before the month you turn 65, your birth month, and three months after the month you turn 65.

What is my Medicare eligibility date?

Generally, you're first eligible starting 3 months before you turn 65 and ending 3 months after the month you turn 65. If you don't sign up for Part B when you're first eligible, you might have to wait to sign up and go months without coverage. You might also pay a monthly penalty for as long as you have Part B.

What does initial enrollment mean?

More Definitions of Initial Enrollment Period Initial Enrollment Period means the period of time during which an eligible person may enroll under this Plan.

When does Medicare change plans?

Medicare health and drug plans can make changes each year—things like cost, coverage, and what providers and pharmacies are in their networks. October 15 to December 7 is when all people with Medicare can change their Medicare health plans and prescription drug coverage for the following year to better meet their needs.

What is an ANOC in Medicare?

People in a Medicare health or prescription drug plan should always review the materials their plans send them, like the “Evidence of Coverage” (EOC) and “Annual Notice of Change” (ANOC). If their plans are changing, they should make sure their plans will still meet their needs for the following year.

What is open enrollment in Medicare?

What is Medicare Open Enrollment? Understanding Medicare’s enrollment periods for eligible recipients can help you plan for the future. Enrollment periods will allow you to sign up for Medicare coverage when you first qualify, and change plans at certain times during the year if you choose to do so.

How long does Medicare enrollment last?

The Medicare Initial Enrollment Period starts 3 months before a recipient turns 65, then lasts through the month of their 65th birthday and for 3 months after that month. During this period, recipients can enroll in Original Medicare Parts A and B, a Part C Medicare Advantage Plan, or they can enroll in Parts A and B and choose a Medicare ...

What happens if you miss your Medicare enrollment period?

If you miss your Initial Enrollment Period, Medicare has other enrollment periods that you can use to acquire certain types of coverage. The General Enrollment Period, which runs from January 1st through March 31st of each year, allows recipients to join Original Medicare.

How long does it take to enroll in Medigap?

Medigap has a separate Initial Enrollment Period that begins when you turn 65 and are enrolled in Part B. During this 6-month period, you can purchase any Medigap plan sold in your state without being subject to medical underwriting.

When are special enrollment periods activated?

Special Enrollment Periods are also activated when Medicare-contracted plans, such as those offered through Medigap or Part C carriers, are no longer available in your area or you move outside of the coverage area.

Can you drop a Medicare plan if you are already enrolled in a Part C plan?

If a recipient is already enrolled in a Part C plan when Annual Enrollment begins, they can drop the plan and return to Original Medicare or change to a different Part C plan. Any recipients who are enrolled in a Part D plan or drops a Part C plan with Part D benefits can choose a new Part D plan or drop their existing one.