Medicare annual open enrollment begins Oct. 15; free counseling available through PA MEDI
Oct. 9—The Pennsylvania Department of Aging reminds older adults that the annual open enrollment period for Medicare beneficiaries will begin Sunday and end Dec. 7.
Any new coverage selected or changes to existing benefits will take effect Jan. 1.
During open enrollment, new Medicare beneficiaries can sign up for Medicare prescription drug coverage and health plans to complement Medicare, and current Medicare beneficiaries can review and join, switch or drop Medicare Advantage or prescription drug coverage.
The department offers free, objective health benefits counseling through Pennsylvania Medicare Education and Decision Insight (PA MEDI).
Available at Pennsylvania's 52 Area Agencies on Aging, PA MEDI counselors can assist Medicare beneficiaries with plan comparisons and enrollment in a new plan and evaluate eligibility for any Pennsylvania Medicare cost-savings programs.
Some of the television commercials and mailings from Medicare Advantage plans may showcase special perks and benefits that may not be available in all areas, the department notes, so it's important to read the plan documents carefully.
Tips on choosing a plan and a list of frequently asked questions are available at www.aging.pa.gov/aging-services/medicare-counseling.
To help build awareness of PA MEDI as Pennsylvania's trusted unbiased resource, the Department of Aging has launched a statewide campaign featuring television, radio and digital ads urging consumers to call the PA MEDI Helpline or their local aging agency, or visit the department's website.
"Many of the PA MEDI counselors are older adults themselves and have navigated their way through selecting a Medicare plan that's right for them," Secretary of Aging Jason Kavulich was quoted in a news release.
Call the PA MEDI Helpline at 1-800-783-7067, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
