What is currently marked on your calendar? Your wedding anniversary, summer vacation, doctor’s appointments, a grandchild’s birthday? These special moments and dates are easy to remember, but you want to make sure you remember other important dates as well. For example, when you can enroll in or change your Medicare health plan and or your Prescription Drug Plan.
We are quickly approaching the Annual Enrollment Period, which is the yearly timeframe that you can sign up for a Medicare plan or change the current plan you are on. Here are some important things to remember during the Annual Enrollment Period.
Annual Notice of Change
Your annual notice of change will be mailed to you this month. This will outline any positive or negative changes to your current plan. It is important that you open and review this document, so you know what your new benefits are. These changes will take effect on January 1, 2024.
Meet With Your Agent/Advisor
It’s time to schedule a meeting and talk with your agent or advisor to review your 2024 benefits. During this meeting you’ll make sure that your benefits are still meeting your needs. If you like the changes to your current plan, then you won’t need to do anything. If you don’t like the changes, then there are other plan options for the upcoming year that you can discuss with your agent.
Phone Scams
Be wary of phone solicitations and scams. During this time, we see an increase in phone scams related to Medicare enrollment. If it’s too good to be true, it likely is. As independent agents, we have access to all the plans in your local area and can meet with you face to face to discuss them.
Here are some helpful tips to avoid phone scams if you get unsolicited calls:
- Ask the caller to tell you what information they have on file, before giving any information to them. If they can’t prove they are legitimate, then you need to hang up.
- Cyberattacks catch you off guard and usually use scare tactics that play with your emotions. Do not give any sensitive information even if your emotions are heightened.
- Confirm the caller’s identity by reaching out to them using another form of contact. You can do this by contacting them through their organization’s website rather than talking to someone on the phone.
- If they are trying to sell you something over the phone, tell them you are already working with a local agent and give them the number of your Core Insurance Advisor. We can vet these callers for you.
AEP is a great time to review your Medicare plan so you can make sure you have the coverage you need going forward. Schedule a meeting today with one of our experienced Core Insurance Advisors at 877-404-8060. They can help make sure you have the coverage that best fits you.
