Dec. 31 deadline on Medicare

Seniors: Do not forget that open enrollment for Medicare Advantage plans ends when the ball drops on Times Square.

As Family Physicians Group has been conducting educational events throughout Central Florida over the last several months, we are surprised to find that many seniors are unaware that they only have days left to make any changes to their Medicare Advantage plan enrollment.

Many people do not realize that the open enrollment period was dramatically changed by the Federal government this year. In the past, seniors were able to change their Medicare Advantage plans until March 31. In 2011, there will be no changes – except to go from Medicare Advantage to traditional Medicare.

This could create many problems for seniors. Insurance plans change their benefits annually, including what prescription drugs are covered and what physicians accept their insurance. Even though plans send out an Annual Notification of Change describing these changes many Medicare Advantage members shelve the document as something to dive into after the first of the year. In years past, one could afford to delay analyzing coverage and making any decisions until after the holidays had passed. But with the radical change to the Open Enrollment Period Medicare beneficiaries no longer have that luxury.

However, it’s not difficult to get the information you need to make an informed choice. Specifically, seniors should:

• Thoroughly read the Annual Notification of Change documents that were mailed to current plan holders before open enrollment period began. If someone has misplaced the notice, they can usually look for a copy on the company’s web site.

• Double check to ensure any prescriptions currently prescribed are still covered.

• Also, Double check to ensure their provider remains part of the plan.

• Look for plans that offer additional benefits, such as dental and vision plans. Some even offer gym memberships.

• Assess their medical needs with their doctor before making a decision that might jeopardize their health plan coverage.

• Check with their doctor if their plan made significant reductions to the benefits offered, to find out which plans they accept.

The best place to get complete plan information is at www.medicare.gov, under the “compare” tab. However, the information is a little more difficult to find on the web site as many of the details, such as specifics on prescription drug coverage, require the user to access additional links.

--John M. French, Vice President, Market Development, Family Physicians Group