By Douglas Campbell, HICAP counselor
This past fall, October 15 through December 7, was the Medicare Annual Enrollment Period (AEP). For Villagers in Traditional Medicare, the important thing to do during AEP is to check through Plan Finder on the Medicare.gov website to be sure that you are in the appropriate Part D drug plan. I talked with many Villagers during AEP in 2023. Many of you switched to D plans that saved significant money on premiums and drug costs.
For a general description of the AEP please visit cahealthadvocates.org/the-basics and click on Annual Enrollment Period (AEP).
Persons in Original (also termed Traditional) Medicare usually also sign up for a Medigap supplement plan in addition to a Part D drug plan. The Medigap plans come in 10 different varieties and price range and cover many if not all of the “gaps” that Medicare does not pay.
A frequent question I am asked: “If and when am I able to change my Medigap supplement plan?”
In California the time to do that is specified by The Medigap Birthday Rule. This rule permits a person to change to any equivalent level or lower level Medigap plan on the day of one’s birthday and for the subsequent 60 days. One will not be required to go through health screening in changing plans; you have what is termed Guaranteed Issue. So if you are unhappy with your Medigap plan for any reason, for example a steep premium increase, contact us at Sourcewise HICAP and we will send you information and guide you in selecting an appropriate Medigap plan. If you are happy with your Medigap plan, you need to do nothing. The plan will automatically continue as long as you pay the premium each month.
My contact information is dcampbell@mysourcewise.com. If you prefer to leave a phone message rather than email, my direct number at Sourcewise is 408-610-8059.
HICAP (Health Insurance Counseling & Advocacy Program) is a non-profit volunteer-based counseling program to help senior citizens needing education and assistance with the complexities of Medicare, supplemental health insurance and Health Maintenance Organizations. HICAP is organized under the County’s group called Sourcewise, which provides services for seniors and low-income residents. The HICAP volunteers are overseen by paid County employees.
For information about Medigap plans in California, go to the following link for details beyond what I have time to discuss in this article: cahealthadvocates.org/medigap/