It's that time of year again. To many, fall means everything pumpkin spice is back (and that's really exciting), but for us Insurance Agents, it is a busy time of year called the Medicare Open Enrollment Period. We wrote about it a few weeks back in a post giving you the lowdown of what it is - you can find that here.
There are some common mistakes made during this time. Studies show that most people pick plans that are more expensive than they need or that don't meed their needs. Why? Because Medicare and Insurance in general can be downright confusing! And, let's face it - researching Insurance Plans when Football is back on doesn't sound fun.
And others agree with me here - a 2015 Study commissioned by aflac found that people would rather scrub their toilets than research insurance plans. what?!
Guys...stop scrubbing your toilets. Let's take a look at some common mistakes and how to avoid them, and then you can get in touch to let us do the research for you. Sound good?
Mistake 1: The Automatic Re-enrollment
Given the above information, it's not shocking that A LOT of Medicare recipients stick with the same plans from year to year. Only 13% of Medicare Recipients switch their drug plans each year, even though it could save them money.
Plans change from year to year - premiums, benefits, etc can all change. So it's important to review your plan changes and options to see if you can switch for better benefits or a lower rate.
Mistake 2: Waiting for Medicare Supplement Plans
The Medicare Annual Open Enrollment Period is for Medicare Advantage Plans and Prescription Drug Plans, NOT Medicare Supplement Plans (Medigap)!! We have so many clients who think they have to wait if they want to change Medigap plans and you don't. You can contact us any time of the year to review your Supplement Plan options.
Forget what the difference is? You're in luck - we have some info on that here.
Mistake 3: Waiting Until the Last Minute
We all do it - we know we have a couple months to get something done, so we prioritize other things and all of a sudden it's December 1st and there's only 7 days left in the Open Enrollment Period.
Your health is important and choosing the right Medicare Plan is important. Even if you don't choose a plan this second, review your options early so you can get all the facts on premiums, benefits, financial assistance, etc so that nothing falls through the cracks.