Medicare open enrollment period to soon begin
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Sep. 28—RALEIGH — Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey reminds Medicare beneficiaries that the open enrollment period is coming up and suggests that recipients compare plans and make necessary changes during that period.
The open enrollment period begins on Saturday, Oct. 15 and runs for eight weeks to give individuals enough time to review and make changes to their Medicare coverage. Changes must be made by Wednesday, Dec. 7 to guarantee that coverage will begin without interruption on Jan. 1, 2023.
"Medicare plans and prices change," Causey said. "It is important for Medicare beneficiaries to take advantage of the open enrollment period by contacting local Seniors' Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP) counselors to save money, improve your coverage, or both."
Make sure to contact the local SHIIP counselor before deciding about coverage. Individuals may be able to receive more affordable and better Medicare health and/or drug plan options in their local area. For example, even if beneficiaries are satisfied with their current Medicare Advantage or Part D plan, there may be another plan in their area that covers health care and/or drugs at a better price.
SHIIP is a division of the North Carolina Department of Insurance and offers free, unbiased information about Medicare, Medicare prescription drug coverage, Medicare Advantage, long-term care insurance, and other health insurance issues. In addition to helping Medicare beneficiaries compare and enroll in plans during the open enrollment period, SHIIP counselors can help people find out if they are eligible for Medicare cost savings programs.
Get one-on-one help from a local SHIIP office by calling the Caldwell Senior Center at 828-758-2883.
Call 1-855-408-1212, Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., or go to to www.medicare.gov/find-a-plan to compare options. For more information about SHIIP and the Medicare Open Enrollment Period, visit www.ncshiip.com.
SHIIP counselors are not licensed insurance agents and they do not sell, endorse, or oppose any product, plan, or company. If individuals have questions about specific plans, contact the insurance agent or the insurance company.
