Your Insurance . . . with Michele Campbell: It’s Medicare open enrollment time

Many folks feel overwhelmed with all these choices and are confused on what to do or how to research plans. 

By Michele Campbell

Michele Campbell

Annual Enrollment is here! This is the time to make a change to your health plan for your Medicare and Individual coverage.  You have until Dec. 7 for Medicare, to change your plan, for a Jan. 1, 2022 effective date. The Individual Open Enrollment Period runs through Jan. 31. If you want to make a change for Jan. 1, you must make your change by Dec. 15.

If you’re on Medicare, this is an important time to review your Medicare Advantage plan and/or drug plan, to be sure it is still the best plan for you. Drug plans (Part D) change from year to year such as some plans go away, new plans come, and the drugs that are covered can change.

In California we have many Part D drug plans to choose from. There are also many Medicare Advantage plans available, which consist of HMO plans and some PPO plans. You might find that one of these plans could save you quite a bit of money, so you should review them also.

If you’re on a Medicare Supplement plan, this doesn’t ever change for you, or at least the benefits don’t.  The premium typically goes up each year, as you age and if they have an increase in your plan. If you feel like you’re paying too much, you might want to do a plan review.

Many folks feel overwhelmed with all these choices and are confused on what to do or how to research plans.  We hear this all the time, that they just don’t like dealing with insurance.  Not to worry, you’re not alone.

You don’t necessarily have to do anything, however, this is the time to analyze your plan, especially your drug plan, to be sure your medications are covered well and will save you the most money.

One way to analyze your medications is to go to Medicare.gov and create an account. You can enter all your medications, then choose the pharmacy you prefer, then see how your prescription drugs are covered.  This can be daunting for some people.

If this is you, then you should contact an agent to help you. There are many agents out there, waiting to assist you.

Michele Campbell is the owner of Michele Campbell Insurance. She can be reached at [email protected] or call her office at (408-848-2271) for help.