Fall is a beautiful time of year with brilliant colors on the trees and cooler days. A wonderful time of year to get out and enjoy the fall scenery. With fall, also comes the Medicare Annual Election Period (AEP).
The AEP begins on October 15 and ends on December 7. If you are enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan, you can change to a different Medicare Advantage plan during this time of year. If you do make a change, your change will take effect on January 1st of the following year. Also, if you have original Medicare with a Medicare Supplement and a Prescription Drug Plan (PDP), you can change your PDP during this time of year. Please note that there is “no” AEP for Medicare Supplement plans. You can change supplement plans at any time but if you change to a different supplement, you will be subject to a Medical questionnaire in order to be accepted by the new company. Also, you can only change your PDP during the AEP so the AEP may still be the best time to make a change is you have a supplement plan.
Note that all Medicare Advantage plans are required to send an “annual notice of change” (ANOC) to each member enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan or a PDP. This notice will arrive on October 1 and outline all of the changes for the following year. When you get the ANOC, you should review it carefully for changes to your premiums and benefit plan. Please know that we will meet with you during the AEP to assist you in making a change if there are significant changes to your benefit plan. Your MPC Insurance Group (MPC) representative will guide you through the process of reviewing your plans and selecting a different plan if you choose to do so. Also note that if your plan has minimal changes and you want to stay with your plan, you do not need to do anything. It will automatically renew. We do ask that you please let your MPC representative know you are staying with your plan so we can document your choice for the following year.
I know that this can all be very confusing but please know that we are here to help. Please do not hesitate to contact us at info@mpcins.com or call us at 717-980-3201. We look forward to assisting you and thank you for working with MPC Insurance Group.
