Senior Resources Washington
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Each Year
Sept and Oct - Review and Compare
Review your current plan as it can change from year to year. Read all notices you receive about your plan for the upcoming year. To learn more about your options, read Medicare and You 2018.
Compare - In October, use Medicare's tools to find a plan that meets your needs. This is the one time in the year that ALL people can make changes to their health and prescription drug plans for the upcoming year.
Oct 15 - the first day of Open Enrollment when you can change your plan for next year.
Dec 7 - Open Enrollment ends. In most cases, December 7 is the last day you can change your Medicare coverage for next year. The plan has to get your enrollment request (application) by December 7.
January 1 - Coverage Begins
Your new coverage begins if you switched to a new plan. If you stay with the same plan, any changes to coverage, benefits, or costs for the new year will begin on January 1.
Between January 1 - February 14
If you’re in a Medicare Advantage Plan (like an HMO or PPO), you can leave your plan and switch back to Original Medicare. If you switch to Original Medicare during this period, you will have until February 14 to also join a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan to add drug coverage. Your coverage will begin the first day of the month after the plan gets your enrollment form.
MEDICARE IMPORTANT DATES
A new plan year means insurance companies can – and often do – make changes to their plans that can cost you. If you're not paying attention and simply let your plan renew, these are changes you’ll have to live with for better or worse in 2018.
Start Planning NOW
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