#Abcd medicare how to#

#Abcd medicare how to#

NARRATOR: How to choose the right Medicare plan for you. ONSCREEN TEXT: How to Choose the Right Medicare Plan Text appears beside an illustrated document and folder labeled “Medicare”. For more information about Medicare including a complete listing of plans available in your service area, please contact the Medicare program at 1-800-MEDICARE (TTY users should call 1-87) or visit Medicare has neither reviewed nor endorsed this information.Upbeat music plays. Each Blue Cross Blue Shield company is responsible for the information that it provides. To find out about premiums and terms for these and other insurance options, how to apply for coverage, and for much more information, contact your local Blue Cross Blue Shield company. Enrollment in these plans depends on the plan’s contract renewal with Medicare. Medicare Advantage and Prescription Drug Plans are offered by a Medicare Advantage organization and/or Part D plan sponsor with a Medicare contract. Plans are insured and offered through separate Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies. Viewing this Medicare overview does not require you to enroll in any Blue Cross Blue Shield plans. Medicare overview information on this website was developed by the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association to help consumers understand certain aspects about Medicare. This open enrollment period previously ran until February 15, but was extended by Congress to run until March 31 for those already enrolled in Medicare Advantage.ĭownload the Medicare Advantage (Part C) and Prescription Drug Plans (Part D) guide to find the coverage options offered by your local Blue Cross Blue Shield company. If you are enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan, you will have a one-time opportunity to make changes to your Medicare coverage, which includes switching to a different Medicare Advantage plan OR returning to Original Medicare with the option to sign up for a Prescription Drug Coverage plan.

Add or Change your Prescription Drug Coverage (Part D) plan if you are in Original Medicare.Īs of January 2019, a Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period is available from January 1 – March 31 every year.Change from one Medicare Advantage plan to another.Discontinue your Medicare Advantage plan and return to Original Medicare (Part A and Part B).Join a Medicare Advantage (Part C) plan.During Open Enrollment, some examples of changes that you can make include: The Medicare Open Enrollment Period provides an annual opportunity to review, and if necessary, change your Medicare coverage options. Contact your local Blue Cross Blue Shield company for help choosing a Medicare Advantage plan and getting enrolled. You must first enroll in Medicare Part A and Part B before joining a Medicare Advantage plan. You might also have to pay a separate monthly insurance premium for your Medicare Advantage plan.Ī copayment may apply to specific services, such as doctor office visits.Ĭost sharing amounts may apply to specific services.Īll Medicare Advantage plans have an annual limit on your out-of-pocket expenses, which is a feature not available through Original Medicare. CostsĪll Medicare Advantage plans require that you continue to pay your Part B insurance premium. These plans also tend to have lower cost sharing overall and a maximum that you would have to pay for out-of-pocket costs each calendar year–a feature not available through Original Medicare. Medicare Advantage plans provide all Part A and B services while generally including some additional services, such as wellness programs, hearing aids and vision services. These plans can be HMOs, PPOs, Regional PPOs or Private Fee-for-Service plans. Medicare Advantage plans provide Medicare coverage through private health insurance companies approved to participate in the Medicare program.