Filling the need for trusted information on national health issues
If you enroll in a plan during the Medicare Open Enrollment period that runs from October 15 to December 7 each year, your coverage takes effect on January 1 of the following year.
There are two ways you can get drug coverage. If you have traditional Medicare, you can sign up for a stand-alone prescription drug plan. Or you can join a Medicare Advantage plan that covers all your Medicare benefits including the prescription drug benefit. Whichever you choose, your costs and coverage…
You can submit a new application for a plan other than the one to which you initially applied during the Medicare Open Enrollment period. Keep in mind that the last plan application you submit before the Medicare Open Enrollment period ends on December 7 is the coverage that will take…
No. Part D plan premiums are not allowed to vary depending on your health status, whether you have pre-existing conditions, or are a smoker. The monthly premium that any given Part D plan charges is the same for any beneficiary who chooses to enroll in that plan.
No. Drug coverage from the VA (Veterans Affairs) is considered creditable prescription drug coverage, which means the coverage is at least as good as what Medicare drug plans provide, so you do not need to enroll in a Medicare Part D plan. Other sources of creditable drug coverage include the…
Medicare supplemental insurance policies, or Medigap policies, help to pay the copayments, coinsurance, and deductibles for Medicare-covered benefits under traditional Medicare (Part A and Part B services). Some Medigap policies also cover services that traditional Medicare does not cover, such as medical care when you travel outside the country. Medigap…
The Medicare Open Enrollment period is designed for enrolling in or switching Medicare Advantage and Part D prescription drug plans, not Medigap policies. In most states, insurance companies can deny you a different Medigap policy and you won’t have guaranteed issue rights, unless you are either eligible to switch under…
Yes, you can find some information about Medigap policies on the Medicare Plan Finder, by going to the link to view and compare Medigap plans under “Additional Tools.” This tool produces a list of companies in your area that offer each type of Medigap plan. You can find more information…
No. The Medicare Plan Finder, a searchable tool on the Medicare.gov website, provides basic information about insurance companies in your area and the Medigap policies they offer, but you will need to contact the insurance companies directly to get more information and purchase a Medigap policy. You can find more…
You may want to find out if you qualify for Medicaid, if your income and assets are low enough. Medicaid helps many low-income people on Medicare with their Medicare premiums and cost-sharing requirements, and may also cover some benefits that are not covered by Medicare, such as dental services and…
