Medicare open enrollment is now underway through December 7. If you’re choosing a plan, experts say there are four key things to consider before making a decision:
- Network
- Cost
- Benefits
- Customer service
Open enrollment is the one time to review, make changes to, or renew a current Medicare Advantage plan.
And with so many options, knowing where to start can feel overwhelming.
Michael Reeves, director of sales with Regence BlueShield, says it boils down to simple basics.
“People first become eligible when they turn 65. And that insurance covers basic medical needs, things like hospitals, facilities, doctors, and professional fees,” Reeves shared. “Think about, are your doctors, the hospitals in your community, the different pharmacies you like to go to, make sure that all of those are covered inside the plan coverage network that you’re looking at.”
Look beyond monthly premiums to deductibles, copays and out-of-pocket expenses. Also, don’t overlook benefits.
“One of the beauties specifically of Medicare Advantage is it comes with a lot of extras, things like prescription drug coverage, gym memberships, possibly even things like over-the-counter allowances so you can pick up things at your local drug store.”
Reeves says the right plan depends on your health needs, budget, and lifestyle. Know the difference between Medicare Advantage and Medicare supplement.
“So with Medigap, you have great options such as no networks. You can go see any doctor or any hospital that accepts Medicare. But the trade-off is Medicare supplement can be a little bit higher in premium cost and monthly cost, but has greater coverage on the back end.”
Experts recommend starting at Medicare.gov.
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