The Medicare Annual Enrollment period has come again, and many Treasure Valley Medicare recipients finds themselves in an interesting predicament.   Some Medicare Advantage plans are leaving the area, and enrollees are losing their plans at the end of the year.   If you find yourself in this situation, reach out to a qualified professional.  You may have more options than you realize.

Things to consider when deciding on looking for additional Medicare coverage

• Know the rules surrounding your election period.  Some election periods are straight forward like the Annual Enrollment period.  Others are more specific to your situation like leaving employer-based coverage. For more information regarding election periods please visit https://www.medicare.gov/basics/get-started-with-medicare/get-more-coverage/joining-a-plan/special-enrollment-periods .

A qualified and licesened professional can help you make sure you don’t miss important deadlines. 

• Understand the differences between Medigap, Medicare Advantage and stand-alone Prescription Drug plans.  These are all ways to get additional coverage to Original Medicare but know the differences.  https://www.medicare.gov/basics/get-started-with-medicare/get-more-coverage/your-coverage-options

• Know the costs of your prescription drugs and confirm they are on your plan’s formulary.  Formularies and costs can change from year to year, so it is worth checking during the Annual Enrollment Period so you can make a plan change  if necessary.  You can go to medicare.gov to search yourself.

• Confirm your doctors, hospitals and other providers are in network. Assuming that your doctor is in network can lead to frustration after the enrollment period is over and your choices to change may be limited.  If you are unsure about a plan’s network call the plan.

Affordable Care Act Open Enrollment Period

If employer based coverage is not an option for you, the Open Enrollment Period runs from October 15^th through December 15^th.   In Idaho, you can enroll for tax saving through yourhealthidaho.org.  Once, on yourhealthidaho,org you can create an account and fill out an application.  If you would like assistance from me, please mark me as your broker under the tab “Find local assistance”.  The enrollment period runs from October, 15, 2024 through December 16, 2024.  After those dates, you will need a Special Enrollment Period to enroll.

Other Options

Perhaps neither option listed above is for you.  You can enroll in a Direct Primary Care and Healthshare option at any time.  There are NO enrollment periods.  A direct primary care membership allows you access a provider at no additional cost other than the monthly membership fee.  Some meds may also be included at no additional cost.  This is a fantastic way to get Primary Care without the need for insurance.  Because  Direct Primary Care is not managed by a traditional health system, you generally have easier access to a provider that can take more time with you.  Many people are more satisfied with Direct Primary Care than traditional system of care.

If you need additional coverage, I can help you look at a Health share option.