Medicare Open Enrollment Assistance

 

Are you or a loved one 65 or older? Now is the time to take advantage of the annual open enrollment period to find the health insurance plan right for you. Open Enrollment is the time each year when a person can review their current health care plan, make changes to it, or sign up for a new plan if they do not already have coverage through their job, Medicare, Medicaid, or another form of health coverage. 

Different types of coverage - whether under the Affordable Care Act or Medicare - have slightly different deadlines, so be sure to double check the deadline for the coverage you choose. 

Medicare Initial Enrollment Period

The initial enrollment period for Medicare lasts for 7 months, starting the 3 months before your 65th birthday, continuing through the month of your birthday, and ending 3 months following your birthday. This period is the best time to sign up for Medicare. You can avoid late penalties down the road, and not miss a minute of your coverage.

Annual Enrollment Period

The annual enrollment period is a set time where you can reassess your health needs, review your current plan against other plans on offer and potentially change which plan you receive coverage under.

  • Enrollment Period for Medicare: October 15 – December 7
    Visit: Medicaid.gov
  • Enrollment Period for Medicaid: November 1 – January 15
    Visit: HealthCare.gov 

Need help navigating different insurance plans and options? Benjamin Rose Institute on Aging can support your through the process. Our team will explain the fine print and help enroll you in a plan that fits your needs and budget, asses your current plan or help you change to a new one, all free of charge. Call us at 216-791-8000 for more information.