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“This process isn’t new, but this year we’re doubling down on ensuring that it’s a simple and painless experience for beneficiaries,” the post says, providing 1-800-MEDICARE for those who might need help.
Medicare agents say it’s too soon to know if concerns about the Plan Finder will pan out.
“It will be interesting to see,” said Elizabeth Gavino, founder of Lewin & Gavino in New York and an independent broker and general agent for Medicare plans.
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She’s covering her bases, just in case problems arise.
“This year, I made sure I printed and saved Plan Finder reports for each and every client,” Gavino said. “So if anything turns out wrong, I can show what I used.”
Meanwhile, remember that you can still make changes for 2020 through Dec. 7.
Generally speaking, experts recommend that all Medicare beneficiaries take time to review their coverage and check for whether there’s another option that could be more suitable and cost less.
Even if you’re happy with your 2019 coverage, changes made from year to year could affect your premium, copays and deductibles, along with in-network providers and pharmacies. And depending on your location, new coverage options could be available that weren’t in the past.
This year, I made sure I printed and saved Plan Finder reports for each and every client.Elizabeth GavinoFOUNDER OF LEWIN & GAVINO
Despite that, most Medicare beneficiaries don’t switch plans during fall open enrollment, according to research from the Kaiser Family Foundation.
Also, be aware that if you’re dual-enrolled in both Medicare and Medicaid, the rules applying to when you can change plans are different. And, if you are enrolling in Medicare for the first time, your window for signing up is separate from this current fall enrollment period. Medicare supplemental insurance policies — also known as Medigap — also operate under separate rules.
Finally, there are certain other instances — i.e., moving to a new area with different coverage options — when the program grants a special enrollment period to Medicare beneficiaries so they can make changes.
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