Senior News Line

Heads up: It's almost time to enroll in Medicare

By Matilda Charles
| 10:23 a.m. September 4, 2013

Winter Park - Maitland Observer
Neighborhood

Medicare’s annual open enrollment period begins in a month: Circle Oct. 15 on your calendar. This is one year you’ll want to start your research early.

The plans might not be the same this time. From Oct. 15 to Dec. 7, you can enroll in or change your Medicare Part D drug plan or Medicare Advantage plan, if you currently have Parts A and/or B. You’ll also have an opportunity to change to Medicare Advantage with or without drug coverage, or back to the original Medicare. If you currently have Part D and Medicare Advantage and don’t make any changes during the enrollment period, your plan will stay the same.

Beware if you have Medicare Advantage, and check carefully: Costs (premiums and co-payments) and levels of coverage might change as plans work to meet all the new health care law requirements. Take a close look at your annual plan notice when it comes in the mail. Call Medicare if you have questions (1-800-633- 4227) or compare plans on the Medicare.gov website.

If you turn age 65 and become eligible for Medicare at a time other than the enrollment period, you have seven months to get signed up: three months before your birthday month, your birthday month, and three months after your birthday month.

If you don’t sign up within that time, you could incur penalties that will last the rest of your life. Suggestion: Call Medicare six months before you’re going to need it. Ask lots of questions, especially if you’re still working. Be ready to sign up at the right time.

To enroll or ask questions, call Social Security (they handle the signups) at 1-800-772-1213. Beware: If you want to read about Medicare on the Internet, be sure you go to Medicare.gov — the .gov is for “government.”