Medicare Annual Election Period (AEP) for 2013

Medicare Annual Election Period (AEP) for 2013

 

It's that time of year again for the Annual Election Period (AEP) for Medicare Health and Drug plans.  The AEP runs from 10/15 - 12/7 and is the period when you can change your Medicare Health/Drug plan or return to the original Medicare program.  Any changes made become effective on January 1st, 2013.

 

There's no doubt your mail box is filling up with advertisements from every insurance company with a Medicare Health and Drug Plan.  But please remember that along with those advertisements will also come the Annual Notice of Change and Evidence of Coverage documents from your current Medicare Insurance Plan.  As you know change is inevitable; and this year is no exception.

 

It is important that you review your 2013 plan documentation to see what has changed and how  the changes affect you.  As in past years, we will be contacting all of our Medicare clients between October 1st and October 15th to discuss changes in your plan and help you determine if the same plan, or a different plan will best meet your needs. According to CMS rules, agents can discuss plan benefits beginning on October 1st; and enrollment applications/changes can be processed beginning on October 15th.  So if you have received your Annual Notice of Change and Evidence of Coverage documents, and you have a question or concern about your coverage, feel free to give us a call first!  We don't want you to worry one minute about your Medicare Plan.  The earlier we know your needs have changed or any changes your plan has made that adversely affect you, the more time we have to research alternatives for your Health and Drug Plan needs.

 

Medicare Health and Drug Plans are governed by enrollment guidelines established by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).  Please refer to the following chart, courtesy of Universal Health Care Insurance Company: