Navigating Medicare Open Enrollment 2024: Your Guide to Making the Best Choice

Medicare’s Open Enrollment period, running from October 15 to December 7, is the annual window for qualified individuals to review, update, or change their Medicare coverage for 2025.

Whether you’re looking to lower costs, access more services, or switch to a plan that better fits your health needs, now is the time to take action. Legacy Community Health is here to support you through this process. Licensed agents are available to provide a free, no-obligation Medicare Benefits Review at participating Legacy clinics throughout the enrollment period.

Walk-ins are always welcome, although we recommend RSVPing to ensure you get your preferred time slot. Most sessions are available in both English and Spanish.

What is Medicare?

Medicare is a federal health insurance program primarily for people aged 65 or older, but individuals with certain disabilities may qualify when they are younger. Medicare consists of different parts:

• Original Medicare: Part A (hospital insurance) and Part B (medical insurance).
• Medicare Advantage (Part C): A comprehensive plan offered by private insurers covering both Part A and B services, often with additional benefits.
• Prescription Drug Coverage (Part D): Covers prescription medications.
• Medigap (Medicare Supplement Insurance): Offers additional coverage to help with out-of-pocket costs not covered by Original Medicare.

Legacy Community Health’s Offerings During Open Enrollment

During the open enrollment period, Legacy Community Health’s licensed agents provide personalized Medicare Benefits Reviews, completely free of charge. These reviews can help you:

• Understand changes in your current plan.
• Explore whether other plans could better meet your needs.
• Make informed decisions about your Medicare coverage for 2025.

The consultations are available every week until December 7. Our agents can guide you through all the considerations to ensure you have a clear understanding of the options available.

Key Considerations for Medicare Open Enrollment

Before making changes to your Medicare plan, it’s important to consider these factors:

• Changes in Health Needs: If your health needs have evolved, such as requiring long-term care for a new condition or more frequent doctor visits, make sure your plan meets these needs. Medicare Advantage plans offer different coverage than Original Medicare, so it’s important to compare them carefully side-by-side.
• Network of Providers: Double-check that your preferred doctors, clinics, and hospitals are still in-network, especially if you’re on a Medicare Advantage plan. This can significantly impact your out-of-pocket costs and accessibility.
• Prescription Drug Coverage: The lists of covered drugs often change each year. Verify that your medications are still covered, or consider switching plans if another offers better drug coverage.
• Additional Benefits: Some Medicare Advantage plans cover benefits like dental, vision, and hearing, services Original Medicare generally doesn’t cover. If these are important to you, weigh the benefits of switching to an Advantage plan with enhanced coverage.
• Travel Plans: If you frequently travel or plan to spend significant time out of state or overseas, consider whether your Medicare plan will cover medical expenses outside your usual area. Original Medicare has limited international coverage, so supplemental insurance may be beneficial.
• Financial Needs: Evaluate how your plan fits within your budget, including premiums, deductibles, and other out-of-pocket costs. Some Advantage plans may have lower premiums, while Medigap policies can help cover deductibles and copayments in Original Medicare.

Changes You Can Make During Open Enrollment

Here are the types of changes you can make:

• Switch from Original Medicare to Medicare Advantage, or vice versa.
• Move between different Medicare Advantage plans.
• Join, switch, or drop a Medicare Part D prescription drug plan.
• Adjust coverage within Medicare Advantage, such as adding or removing prescription drug coverage.
• Switch to a private insurer.

Insurance Plans Accepted by Legacy Community Health

Legacy Community Health accepts various insurance plans, including HMO/PPOs, Original Medicare, and Medicare Advantage plans. We also offer financial assistance programs so healthcare is more affordable for those in need. You can view the full list of accepted insurance plans here.

Take Control of Your Health with Legacy Community Health

Medicare Open Enrollment is your chance to take control of your health care coverage for 2025. Legacy Community Health is dedicated to helping you make choices that suit your lifestyle, health needs, and budget. Expert agents are ready to guide you through each step, ensuring you have all the information you need to make a confident decision.

Don’t miss this opportunity – schedule your Medicare Benefits Review today or walk in at your convenience to one of our participating clinics!