Medicare open enrollment for 2020: frequently asked questions

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Medicare open enrollment began on October 15 for Washington’s 1.3 million Medicare beneficiaries. Local residents still have until Saturday, December 7 to fill out their paperwork. The process can easily get confusing, so here are some answers to the top questions this open enrollment season.

As I review all of my Medicare paperwork, what should I pay the closest attention to? Carefully review your annual notice of change and take note of changes to your benefits and premiums. Check to see if your premiums have increased – if your plan premiums have gone up, check your budget to make sure the plan will work for you. Then, review any benefit changes to make sure that all of your needs will be met.

For example, Medicare generally doesn’t cover dental benefits, but some Medicare Advantage plans, like Community Health Plan of Washington Medicare Advantage, do cover preventative dental. Make a list of what you would like and research plans that meet your specific needs.

What are the different types of Medicare plans that I should research? There are many great Medicare plans out there, and the benefits and premiums differentiate the various plans. Apart from original Medicare, there are Medicare Advantage, zero cost and supplemental plans. Supplemental plans are optional and you will not be penalized for not signing up for a supplemental plan.

If you cannot afford or don’t want to commit to a supplemental plan, we recommend researching Medicare Advantage plans that operate the same way as the Medicare original plan but with enhanced benefits. If you want coverage to protect your health but do not get sick often, it could be worth exploring a zero cost plan.

If I already like the plan I am on and do not want to change it, do I need to fill out a new application? No action needed. While we recommend reviewing your plan for any changes, your plan will auto-renew in January 2020 if you do not take action before then.

What happens if we get to December 8, after Medicare open enrollment ends, and I decide I want to change my plan? What are my options? While October 15 to December 7 is annual open enrollment, there is also an open enrollment period from January 1 to March 31 where Medicare beneficiaries have a one-time chance to choose a different Medicare plan.

For example, if you are enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan and it is not what you expect, you have time to change your plan. You can either switch to a different Medicare Advantage plan or the original Medicare plan.

I am not eligible for Medicare but my parents need my assistance enrolling in a new Medicare plan. How can I help my parents? You can help your parents by doing some research in advance or visiting a designated Medicare representative at your parents’ health plan. While your parents do have to go through the enrollment process themselves, we are happy to help you help them navigate the system.

Brisa Guajardo is a Medicare expert with Community Health Plan of Washington.

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