October Agency Insights
Medicare Annual Enrollment Period: Time for Your Annual Coverage Check-In
Fall is here, and for Medicare beneficiaries, that means another important season is approaching: Medicare Annual Enrollment Period (AEP).
From October 15 through December 7, Medicare beneficiaries have an opportunity to review their current coverage and make certain changes to their Medicare Advantage or prescription drug coverage for the upcoming year. Changes made during this period generally take effect January 1.
But AEP doesn’t necessarily mean you need to change your plan.
Think of it instead as your annual Medicare coverage check-in—an opportunity to make sure you understand your current coverage, what’s changing for the coming year, and whether your plan continues to meet your individual healthcare needs.
At Insurance Benefit Navigators, we’re here to help you through that process.
Why an Annual Medicare Review Matters
A lot can happen in a year.
Your healthcare needs may change. You may have started a new prescription, begun seeing a new specialist, received a new diagnosis, or simply started using your healthcare differently.
Your Medicare plan can change from year to year, too.
Depending on your coverage, changes may involve things such as:
- Premiums, deductibles, copays and other cost-sharing
- Prescription drug coverage and formularies
- Provider and pharmacy networks
- Plan rules or requirements
- Dental, vision, hearing or other supplemental benefits
- Other terms of your coverage
That’s why it’s worth taking some time each fall to review the whole picture rather than focusing on just one feature of a plan.
Medicare itself recommends reviewing notices from your current plan and considering whether changes in your health, prescriptions or providers affect your coverage needs.
Start With Your Annual Notice of Change
One of the most important pieces of Medicare mail you’ll receive this time of year is your Annual Notice of Change (ANOC).
Your ANOC outlines changes to your current Medicare Advantage or prescription drug plan for the upcoming year. CMS provides standardized ANOC materials for Medicare plans.
So this is one piece of Medicare mail you don’t want to toss into the recycling bin!
Take some time to review it and make note of anything you don’t understand. If you’re an IBN client, we’re happy to help you review your coverage and answer questions about what those changes may mean for you.
Getting More Medicare Calls, Mail and Advertisements?
You're Not Alone.
If your phone and mailbox suddenly seem to know that AEP is approaching, you’re probably not imagining it!
Medicare beneficiaries often receive a significant amount of Medicare-related advertising around enrollment season. CMS has implemented rules intended to protect beneficiaries from confusing or misleading Medicare marketing and has specifically addressed concerns involving television, web, direct-mail and third-party marketing activities.
An advertisement or conversation may focus heavily on one particular benefit. That doesn’t necessarily tell you everything you need to know about the plan.
Before making a change based on something you saw, received in the mail or discussed during a phone call, give your IBN team a call.
We’re happy to help you review the information and consider it alongside your current coverage, including your providers, prescriptions, costs, network and other plan benefits.
Sometimes a review results in a change.
Sometimes it confirms that your current coverage continues to meet your needs.
Either outcome is okay. The goal is to understand your options and make an informed decision.
AEP Doesn't Have to Be Overwhelming
Between television commercials, Medicare mail, plan documents and phone calls, enrollment season can feel like information overload.
You don’t have to sort through everything by yourself.
If something catches your attention, bring it to us. If you aren’t sure what a letter means, ask us. If you’ve heard about a benefit and want to know whether it’s available with your coverage, we’re here to help you review your plan information.
Our team at Insurance Benefit Navigators can help you understand your current coverage and review available options based on your individual healthcare and coverage needs.
That’s what Healthcare Simplified is all about.
Community Spotlight
This month, we’re excited to highlight White Crane Clinic, a local wellness practice serving Tarpon Springs and the surrounding communities.
Located in beautiful Tarpon Springs, Florida, White Crane Clinic is proud to be part of the local community and to provide personalized care focused on helping patients feel their best. Their clinic offers acupuncture, massage therapy, and other wellness services in a welcoming, patient-centered environment.
White Crane Clinic is also committed to making care accessible to local Medicare patients and accepts many Medicare Advantage plans, making it easier for eligible patients to access services while using their insurance benefits.
Whether you’re looking for support with pain management, relaxation, mobility or overall wellness, their team is proud to serve the local community.
Medicare & Acupuncture: Check Your Plan Benefits
White Crane Clinic also gives us a great opportunity to highlight something Medicare beneficiaries may not realize:
Acupuncture coverage can vary depending on your Medicare coverage and individual plan.
Original Medicare provides acupuncture coverage under certain circumstances, while some Medicare Advantage plans may offer additional acupuncture benefits. Coverage requirements, participating providers, visit limitations and applicable copays or cost-sharing can vary by plan.
If you’re an IBN Medicare client and you’re curious about acupuncture benefits, give us a call! We’re happy to help you review your plan benefits and determine what your specific coverage provides.
Insurance participation and coverage can vary by plan and network. Patients should verify benefits and provider participation before receiving services.
White Crane Clinic
210 S. Pinellas Ave., Suite 112
Tarpon Springs, FL 34689
727-942-4249
Visit White Crane Clinic
Coming Next Month in Agency Insights
Marketplace Open Enrollment: What Individuals & Families Need to Know for 2027
Next month, we’ll shift our focus to Marketplace Open Enrollment and talk about what individuals and families should review when considering their health insurance coverage for the upcoming year.
This is a solicitation of insurance. Not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. government or the federal Medicare program. By calling this number, you will be connected with a licensed insurance agent.
We do not offer every plan available in your area. Any information we provide is limited to those plans we do offer in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE to get information on all of your option