What you need to know about the Medicare Annual Enrollment Period
Posted on October 1, 2016
By September 30 of each year, you will receive a booklet with an Annual Notice of Changes (ANOC) and an Explanation of Coverage (EOC). The ANOC describes the changes to your current plan for the upcoming year, and the EOC details all the benefits of your plan for the next year. Look for your blue covered book in the mail.
Medicare requires all health plans to send these documents so that you can make an informed choice about your Medicare Advantage coverage. It’s very important that you review these documents to ensure the coverage that you currently have still fits your needs.
During the Annual Enrollment Period (Oct. 15 –Dec. 7), there are certain changes that you can make for your plan choice. Any change that you make during the Annual Enrollment Period is generally effective on January 1.
Possible plan changes would include:
- Change from Original Medicare (Part A & Part B) to a Medicare Advantage plan
- Change from a Medicare Advantage plan to Original Medicare (and add a Medicare Supplement plan)
- Change from a Medicare Supplement plan to a Medicare Advantage plan
- Change or purchase Medicare Prescription Drug (Part D) coverage
- Switch from one Medicare Advantage plan to another Medicare Advantage plan
- Switch plans within your current Medicare Advantage plan (buy up/buy down)
Member Services
If you would like to learn more about any of the information included in this newsletter, or if you have questions about your plan benefits, feel free to contact Member Services at (413) 787-0010 or toll-free at (877) 443-3314 (TTY: 711). We are available Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. (Oct. 1 – Feb. 14: 8 a.m. – 8 p.m., seven days a week).
Comments are currently closed.