You hear so much about Medicare enrollment. At certain times of the year it's hard to escape it with advertising all around us. But what you seldom hear is that beneficiaries can disenroll from some parts of Medicare and enroll in other coverage outside the annual enrollment season.
We are in the middle of the Medicare Advantage Disenrollment Period, also referred to as MADP.
To be eligible for MADP, recipients must have a private Medicare health plan — known as a Medicare Advantage plan or Medicare Part C.
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During MADP, beneficiaries can elect to drop their private Medicare coverage and return to original Medicare.
The window of opportunity runs from Jan. 1 through Feb. 14 every year. Changes made during MADP go into effect the first day of the following month.
Why would anyone want to disenroll in a Medicare Advantage or Medicare Part C plan?
REASONS FOR CHANGE
• Your doctors and other health providers are no longer in-network, and costs are escalating
• Medication copayments have risen much more than expected
• Your health circumstances have become more complicated, and the required care is poorly covered, if at all
• You overlooked the annual open-enrollment season last fall
If you are experiencing any of these situations and have Medicare Advantage, now is the time to take action and reduce unnecessary medical spending and hassles. The chance to make changes ends at midnight on Saturday, Feb. 14.
But before making any alterations, consider two critical factors:
1. If the Medicare Advantage plan includes prescription drug coverage (which most do), beneficiaries should sign up for a Medicare-approved Stand Alone Prescription Drug Plan (Medicare Part D plan).
Recipients can call 1-(800) MEDICARE 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to speak to a representative and sort through options.
Going without drug coverage results in even higher costs and penalties.
2. Original Medicare does not pay for 100% of care. People must cover copayments, deductibles and coinsurance. Medicare also has no out-of-pocket limit.
Without Medicare Advantage coverage, beneficiaries must pay all those expenses and can easily have significant out-of-pocket outlays.
To limit those, recipients are well-advised to apply for Medigap supplemental coverage. The MADP doesn't guarantee the right to buy a Medigap plan; states may have more rights. Individuals can check with their State Health Insurance Assistance Program. ShipTalk.org provides local re-sources.
Regardless, most people will qualify for a Medigap plan. But word to the wise: You should apply for the Medigap coverage and get approval before canceling current coverage.
Sorting out your Medicare coverage means you'll spend health care dollars more wisely. That helps ensure the safety of your retirement nest egg and improves your access to the health care you need.
(Want to get more out of Medicare? Find out how in my e-book.)
Katy Votava, Ph.D., RN, is president of Goodcare.com, a consulting service that works with consumers and financial advisers on health care coverage.
