From October 15 to December 7, you may receive even more spam calls than usual – especially if you have Medicare. This time of year is known as Open Enrollment, when you can make changes to your healthcare and prescription plans. For some agents and brokers, however, it’s more like “open season” as they target Medicare patients with a barrage of ads and calls.
These ads and phone calls will likely reference Medicare Advantage plans. These plans are offered by private companies and can vary from original Medicare when it comes to key features of your plan, such as in-network providers, out-of-pocket costs, and specialist referral requirements.
With some Medicare drug coverage changes coming in 2025, remember these tips while you consider your options this Open Enrollment season:
Confirm the details. If you’re considering switching to or from a Medicare Advantage plan, don’t rely solely on what you learned from the surge of advertisements or phone calls you received from agencies or sales representatives. Check the details by contacting the plan directly. Call the plan, visit its website, or dial 1-800-MEDICARE to confirm. Some questions to ask include: Are your doctors in-network? Will your costs, including copayments, change? Are your prescriptions covered? Will you need prior authorizations for certain services?
Keep everything for your records. If you speak with an agent or broker, note down the date, time, and details of the conversation. Request a written summary of the plan’s terms. Keep this documentation safely on file. If the plan ends up not matching the description you were given, these records will help you.
Don’t be afraid to ask for help. There are lots of small details when it comes to comparing Medicare costs, coverage, and plans. For unbiased guidance, start with the State Health Insurance Assistance Programs (SHIPs), explore Medicare.gov and call 1-800-MEDICARE.
If you believe you made the wrong Medicare plan choice due to misleading information from an agent, broker, or ad, contact 1-800-MEDICARE to learn about your options and report the issue to the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.