Annual Election Period Checklist

Checklist for AEP

1.        Confirm that you are eligible to enroll -  To join a Medicare Advantage Plan you need to be enrolled in Medicare Part A and Part B and live in the service area.  To enroll in a Prescription Drug Plan you must live in the service area and Medicare Part A and/or Part B.  Also, if you have end-stage renal disease you usually cannot join a Medicare Advantage Plan but here are a few exceptions.   

2.       Review any coverage changes and determine if your current coverage still meets your needs – If you are on a Medicare Advantage or Prescription Drug Plan, carefully review your ANOC or Annual Notice of Change.  Does your plan still meet your health needs and budget?  Does it still have you’re your doctors in network and are your prescriptions on their formulary list?  Do you want to add dental or vision?    

3.       Will making a change affect your other insurance –  You can only be in one Medicare Advantage or Prescription Drug Plan at a time.   A new Medicare Advantage or Prescription Drug Plan will automatically cancel the old one.    If you have retiree or VA benefits, check to see if that insurance covers services that Medicare does not cover.   Talk to your benefits administrator so you know how your insurance works with Medicare.

4.       Do some shopping – Review your health and prescription drug costs and shop around to compare prices.  Medicare plans can vary in what they pay for services and prescription medications.  Make certain your doctors and medications will be covered under your policy.   Be sure to check the Star Ratings of your Medicare Advantage and Prescription Drug plan.   These plans are rated on a scale from 1 to 5 for customer satisfaction and quality. 

Medicare doesn’t have to be confusing, and hopefully this checklist will serve as guide to steps you can take during AEP.   Just think of the Annual Election Period as your yearly Medicare check-up.   If you have any questions regarding AEP, I’m happy to help.

-Jackie Greene, IEN Risk Management

AEP- Annual Election Period for Medicare

^{It’s almost that time again,  AEP ( ANNUAL ELECTION PERIOD) for Medicare Advantage and Medicare prescription drug coverage.    This enrollment period happens every year at the same time,  October 15th through December 7th. During this annual open enrollment period for Medicare you can do any of the following.}

^{·         Switch from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage plan.}

^{·         Change from a Medicare Advantage plan back to Original Medicare.}

^{·         Switch from one Medicare Advantage Plan to another Medicare Advantage Plan.}

^{·         Switch from a Medicare Advantage Plan that doesn’t offers drug coverage to a Medicare Advantage Plan that offers drug coverage.}

^{·         Switch from a Medicare Advantage Plan that offers drug coverage to a Medicare Advantage Plan that doesn’t offer drug coverage.}

^{·         Join a Prescription Drug Plan or PDP.}

^{·         Switch from one Medicare Prescription Drug Plan to another Medicare Prescription Drug Plan.}

^{·         Drop your Medicare prescription drug coverage.} 

-Jackie Greene, IEN Risk Management