Medicare’s open enrollment period offers you the chance to make changes to your Ohio Medicare Supplement, Medigap or Medicare Advantage Plans or prescription drug coverage for the upcoming year. This is the time to evaluate your Medicare coverage and make changes to improve your health insurance and drug coverage.
The Medicare open enrollment period offers Medicare beneficiaries in
all US states an opportunity to review their health plan and switch to a
new one that accommodates new needs, such as a change in health status.
Ohio health insurance companies offer various types of Medicare
Supplement or Advantage Plans for Ohio residents. If your needs have
changed since you enrolled in a Medicare plan, this is the time to
evaluate your Medicare coverage and look at the options that will work
better for you.
Ohio Medicare Enrollment Options
In 2011, Medicare’s open enrollment period is from October 15
to December 7. This period is your chance to make changes to your Ohio
Medicare Advantage, Supplement, Medigap plans or Medicare prescription
drug coverage for 2012, which includes:
• Change from
Original Medicare PARTS A 7 B, to a Medicare Advantage, Supplement or
Medigap Plan. Original Medicare does not cover everything. To close the
gaps in this coverage, you can switch to a Medicare Advantage Plan (HMO
or PPO) offered by private insurers approved by Medicare. Cost,
additional coverage, and rules are different for different plans.
• Switch
from your current Medicare Advantage Plan back to Medicare Supplement
or Medigap Plans.
• Change from a Medicare Advantage Plan
without drug coverage to a Medicare Advantage Plan that offers drug
coverage.
• Change from a Medicare Advantage Plan that offers
drug coverage to a Medicare Advantage Plan that includes drug coverage.
• Enroll
in a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan.
• Change from one
Medicare Prescription Drug Plan to another Medicare Prescription Drug
Plan.
• Give up your Medicare prescription drug coverage
completely.
In select Ohio counties, there are $0 monthly plans
premium in addition to your monthly Medicare Part B premium. Unless
otherwise noted, out-of-network services are not covered. Some of the
plans provide you access to several thousands of network doctors
nationwide. Similarly, the Medicare Advantage Plans offered by other
health insurance companies offers you more benefits for less money than
Original Medicare for most services, and come with predictable
out-of-pocket costs
Making the Right Decision during
Medicare Enrollment
Open enrollment is the time when
Ohio seniors should examine their Ohio Medicare plans, consider their health
status and the various options available to them, and find which one is
suited to their needs. The best way to make the right decision during
Medicare open enrollment is to get professional guidance from an
independent health insurance agent in Ohio. With vast experience and
knowledge in the field, a reliable agent can help you evaluate your Ohio Medicare coverage and make the changes
necessary to improve your health insurance and drug coverage.
Tracy Mc Manamon is an Ohio health insurance agent who offers Ohio Medicare. He helps clients review their Ohio Medicare health plan and take an informed decision.