At Palm Medical Centers, we not only work with most Medicare Advantage health plans in an effort to make excellent health care accessible to you and your loved ones, but we also strive to make our patients aware of the benefits they may be entitled to and how to apply for them.
Take, for example, the Medicare Advantage open enrollment period, which runs from January 1 to March 31. That’s when Medicare Advantage plan members can change their plans. Any changes you make during the open enrollment period are similar to those you can make during the Medicare annual enrollment period, providing you with another opportunity to obtain the coverage you want and need.
However, it’s important to be sure your primary care provider is in the network before making any changes to your Medicare Advantage Plan.
How Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Differs From Medicare Annual Enrollment
There are two main differences between Medicare Advantage open enrollment and Medicare annual enrollment. During annual enrollment, anyone who has Medicare can make coverage changes for the upcoming year, while only those who are currently enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan can make changes during Medicare Advantage open enrollment.
The other difference is the timing. The Medicare annual enrollment period each year is between October 15 and December 7, while the Medicare Advantage open enrollment is between January 1 and March 31.
How to Prepare for Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment
It doesn’t matter whether you recently enrolled or have had a Medicare Advantage plan for years – you can use the open enrollment period to change your plan choice.
First, consider your experiences using your current plan and thoroughly review your plan benefits. Focus on the following areas:
- Are your doctor and other providers part of the plan network?
- Are your prescription drugs on the plan formulary?
- Are you comfortable with your costs, including plan premiums, deductibles, copays, and coinsurance?
- Do you have additional coverage for things like dental, vision, and hearing care?
- Are you satisfied with your plan’s additional benefits, such as fitness programs, mail-order pharmacies, nurse lines, or other wellness services?
If you decide to make a change, your window of opportunity each year is those three months (January 1 -March 31). Once you make the change, your new plan benefits will be in effect for the remainder of the year until the next open enrollment period the following year.
Medicare Plan Assistance in South and Central Florida
As a provider of comprehensive, senior-focused healthcare services in Florida, Palm Medical Centers has dedicated patient relations outreach representatives who are committed to helping you and your loved ones receive all the benefits to which you are entitled. In fact, our patient liaisons work with ACCESS Florida representatives to streamline the process for you.
In addition to providing medical care for our patients, we offer social service assistance with:
- Medicaid application and renewal
- Medicare application and plan selections
- SNAP benefits and meal assistance
- Lower-income housing opportunities
- Medication management
- Injury prevention
With 26 clinics conveniently located throughout Central and South Florida, Palm Medical Centers can provide the whole-person, comprehensive healthcare you need and deserve. To discover the advantages of becoming a patient at Palm Medical Centers, call us today at (833)500-PALM (7256) or send us a message now. We’d also be happy to give you a tour of our medical clinic and wellness center.
