Having Second Thoughts About Your Medicare Decision? You May be Able to Make a Change

     The New Year brings some changes to Medicare that are aimed at making it easier for beneficiaries to switch plans if they decide they want to pick a different Medicare Advantage plan or return to traditional Medicare.  
     In the past, new and current enrollees in Medicare had faced more limitations if they wanted to make a change 

after the annual fall enrollment period. But a new law now expands the time in which such changes can be made in certain circumstances.
     The new Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period will run from January 1 – March 31 every year. If you’re enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan, you’ll have a one-time opportunity to:

• Switch to a different Medicare Advantage plan
• Drop your Medicare Advantage plan and return to Original Medicare, Part A and Part B
• Sign up for a stand-alone Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Plan (if you return to Original Medicare).

     Most Medicare Advantage plans include prescription drug coverage already. Usually you can’t enroll in a stand-alone Medicare Prescription Drug plan if you already have a Medicare Advantage plan, but there are some situations where you can.
     Call your Medicare Advantage plan if you have questions. To learn more about the new criteria for switching coverage, click https://medicare.com/medicare-advantage/new-open-enrollment-period-for-medicare-advantage/