What will you find during Medicare Open Enrollment?

By Marilyn Tavenner

Contributing Writer

Your health needs change from year to year. And, your health plan may change the benefits and costs each year, too. That’s why it’s important to review your Medicare choices each fall. Compare your current plan to new options and see if you can lower some costs or find a plan that better suit your needs.

Open Enrollment is the one time of year when all people with Medicare can see what new benefits Medicare has to offer and make changes to their coverage. Whether you have Original Medicare or a Medicare Advantage plan, you’ll still have the same benefits and security you have now:

Certain preventive benefits — including cancer screenings — are available at no cost to you when provided by qualified and participating health professionals. The annual wellness visit lets you sit down with your doctor and discuss your healthcare needs and the best ways to stay healthy.

Medicare will notify you about plan performance and use its online Plan Finder to encourage enrollment in quality plans.

In 2015, if you reach the “donut hole” in Medicare’s prescription drug benefit, you’ll get a 55 percent discount on covered brand-name drugs and see increased savings on generic drugs.

It’s worth it to take the time to review and compare, but you don’t have to do it alone. Medicare is available to help. Visit Medicare.gov/find-a-plan to compare your current coverage with all of the options that are available in your area, and enroll in a new plan if you decide to make a change.

Call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) 24-hours a day/seven days a week to find out more about your coverage options. TTY users should call 1-877-486-2048.

Review the Medicare & You 2015 handbook. It’s mailed to people with Medicare in September.

If you have limited income and resources, you may be able to get Extra Help paying your prescription drug coverage costs.  For more information, visit socialsecurity.gov/i1020 or call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213. TTY users should call 1-800-325-0778.

Get one-on-one help from your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP).  Visit Medicare.gov/contacts or call 1-800-MEDICARE to get the phone number.

This information is provided by U.S. Department of Health and Human Services CMS Medicare Open Enrollment. Marilyn Tavenner is administrator for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.