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The 2012 Medicare Open Enrollment Period (OEP) or Medicare Annual Election Period (AEP) is from October 15 until December 7.
UPDATE: Follow this link to the 2014 Open Enrollment page
During the OEP, if you’re enrolled in both Medicare Part A and Part B you can:
- Join a Medicare Part D prescription drug plan or change form one drug plan to another
- Discontinue Part D coverage
- Switch from Original Medicare (Medicare Parts A and B) to a Medicare Advantage Plan
- Switch from a Medicare Advantage Plan back to Original Medicare
- Switch from one Medicare Advantage Plan to another
It’s important to be aware that, while the Annual Election Period used to extend to the end of December, this year’s AEP will end on December 7. After that you’ll have to wait until the next year’s Open Enrollment Period to change your drug coverage unless you’re able to qualify for a Special Enrollment Period (SEP).
It’s also important to note that you don’t have to wait until the 2012 AEP if you want to join or leave a Medicare supplement plan. Normally, you’re able to join or leave a Medigap plan at any time of the year.
Although you’re not required to make any changes during this or any OEP, open enrollment offers you a great opportunity to evaluate your current health coverage in order to determine whether any changes are advisable. An annual evaluation of this sort is always recommended. Simply put, the coverage that was right for you a year ago may not be right for you going into a new year. Some premiums may go up from year to year. Your medical situation and your needs can change dramatically from one year to the next. These considerations and others may reveal that continuing with your current health plan for another year may not be in your best interests.
If you decide that changing your coverage is the right move, you can make the appropriate change without penalty during the OEP/AEP. Any change you choose during the 2012 OEP will take effect on January 1, 2013.
If you’d like help weighing your options for 2013, why not give MedicareMall a call and let the experts assist you in making such an important decision?
What health coverage changes are you considering for next year? Leave a comment letting us know!
UPDATE: Follow this link to the 2014 Open Enrollment page
Medicare Open Enrollment Period 2012 – The ABCs of AEP and OEP © 2012 MedicareMall.com
I am 53 years of age and am on disability(total). I have Medicare A and a needing a quote for Medicare B.
Hi Debra, you can view your Part B premium information by following this link to Medicare.gov.
http://www.medicare.gov/MedicareEligibility/home.asp?dest=NAV%7CHome%7CResources%7CSurchargeCalcQuestions%7CResourcesOverview&version=default
Since you are under 65 and on Disability, you should contact Social Security at 800-772-1213 about your Medicare Part B status.
For more information about Signing Up For part B please visit http://www.medicare.gov/people-like-me/disability/signing-up-for-part-b-disabled.html
Once you have both Medicare Part A and Part B, you should be eligible to shop around for Medicare Advantage or Medigap Plans.
Once you have both Medicare Part a and Part B, you should come back to MediareMall.com and shop for your Medicare Health Plan
Good Luck!
– RT
Is anything required of me if I want to keep what I have?
Hi Wayne,
You are not required to change plans if you wan’t to keep what you already have.
OEP gives you the opportunity to shop for lower premiums and benefits, compare Medicare Supplement premiums, Medicare Advantage Plans, and Prescription Drug plans.
-RT