The 2023 Medicare Annual Enrollment Period or Annual Election Period (AEP) occurs October 15 through December 7, 2022. This is your chance to ask questions, get answers, and make a confident decision about your Medicare coverage for 2023. During this period, you’ll have the option to join a new Medicare plan, change your plan, or keep your plan as-is. You can switch from Original Medicare to Medicare Advantage or vice versa, change Medicare Advantage plans, and change or add Medicare Part D (prescription drug coverage) plans. Medicare plans change every year, so it’s important to review your options annually to see if there’s a better plan for you.
There’s a lot to consider when reviewing Medicare plans, from costs to coverage. Medicare isn’t a one-size-fits-all program. You’ll want to give yourself plenty of time to check whether your plan’s monthly plan premium costs, deductible amounts, or copays have changed, and which drugs are covered or no longer covered.
Need help comparing Medicare plans? Keep it simple and speak to an expert. Advise is here for you! Schedule a free Medicare Review with an Advise licensed agent or call us at (833) 923-1869 (TTY: 711).
Before the Annual Enrollment Period
- Mark your calendar: The 2023 AEP begins October 15, 2022 and ends December 7, 2022. To change your 2023 plan, you must enroll in your new plan no later than December 7, 2022. Circle the date on your calendar now!
Another helpful date to remember: The new Medicare Part D and Medicare Advantage plans for 2023 will be posted on October 1, 2022. After this date, you can begin to explore new plan options and compare these options to your current plan. - Review your health care activities: Think back to your doctor visits, current prescriptions, specialist appointments, and anything else health-related you experienced last year. Compile these items into a single list. This will give you a good idea of what health care needs and related medical expenses you can anticipate next year.
- Review your health care habits and needs: Write down all the providers you visit, including your primary care physician, the hospital, and pharmacy you prefer to use. If you prefer to continue seeing the same providers, you’ll want to make sure these are contracted with your plan next year.
- Attend a virtual Medicare seminar: Medicare is confusing, with multiple parts and pathways to choose from. Advise Insurance offers a number of both virtual and in-person educational seminars designed to help you understand the ins and outs of Medicare, as well as changes to the program, and they’re free to attend with no obligation to enroll.
Ready to attend a virtual Medicare seminar? Sign up here.
During the Annual Enrollment Period
- Talk to a Medicare expert: The best way to find the right plan for you is to get personalized assistance. When you schedule a free individual consultation with Advise, a licensed agent will walk you through a side-by-side comparison of all the plans your doctor participates in, ensuring you can stay with your current doctor, if you choose, even if you change plans.
- Enroll: If you decide to stay in your current plan, you don’t have to do anything. If you are changing plans, you’ll need to enroll in your new plan by December 7, 2022. Your new coverage will begin on January 1, 2023. An Advise licensed agent will be happy to help you enroll in your plan of choice.
After the Annual Enrollment Period
- Stay on top of your premiums: Whether you choose Original Medicare or Medicare Advantage, you will likely have a monthly plan premium for Part B. Keep paying this even if you enroll in Medicare Advantage. You can mail Medicare your payment or pay online through your secure Medicare account or through your bank’s online payment service. Or, you can sign up for Medicare Easy Pay, a free service that automatically deducts your premium payments from your checking or savings account each month. Remember, you may have additional premiums if you enroll in a Medigap, Part D, or Medicare Advantage plan which would be paid directly to the insurance plan carrier.
- Stay in the know: Your plan will have a number of benefits and coverage details, many of which may inform your cost and quality of care. Take advantage of your benefits and keep track of your hospital stays, specialist visits and doctor’s visits so you can be ensured you’re getting the most out of your plan. By following this simple checklist, you’ll be ready for AEP. Whether you’re actively looking for a new plan or just reviewing your options, it’s always a good idea to be your own health care advocate by being informed and prepared.
Visit AdviseInsurance.com or call Advise at (833) 923-1869 (TTY: 711) to schedule your free Medicare Review today.
