All older Americans with Medicare are being encouraged by the AARP to take advantage of the Medicare open enrollment period through Dec. 7.
Given the simultaneous open enrollment for the Affordable Care Act, AARP is trying to make sure people with Medicare know about the options they have during, where to turn for help and how to clear up confusion.
AARP officials said that during Medicare open enrollment, people have the important opportunity to evaluate their current coverage and make changes they see fit based on changes in lifestyle, health status or personal preference. Changes that can be made include adding, dropping or changing prescription drug coverage or health care plans for 2014.
“Your health and prescription drug needs may change from year to year or the plan you have may make changes,” said Nicole Duritz, AARP vice president of health education and outreach. “That’s why regardless of whether you have original Medicare or a Medicare Advantage plan, it’s important to evaluate your choices during open enrollment.”
AARP is also reminding people with Medicare that “they don’t need to look in the health insurance marketplace for coverage,” Duritz said. “They should continue to visit Medicare.gov to find out about options for Medicare coverage.”
Information on open enrollment is available online through the Medicare Plan Finder at www.medicare.gov/find-a-plan or by calling Medicare at 1-800 – 633-4227.