If you currently have Medicare prescription drug coverage, you should review your coverage each year in the fall. You might want to switch Medicare drug plans if another plan better meets your needs. Generally, you can only switch plans from October 15--December 7 of each year (see How to Join and Switch Medicare Plans
). Coverage under the new plan will begin January 1 of the following year. It's best to join a plan early in the month once you've made your decision. In certain cases, you may be able to change plans at other times (see When can I join a Medicare Advantage Plan or Medicare Prescription Drug Plan available in my area?
). If you are happy with your coverage, and your Medicare drug plan is still offered in your area, you don't have to do anything for your coverage to continue.
Only give personal information to doctors, other providers, and Medicare plans approved by Medicare, and to the people in your community who work with Medicare, like your State Health Insurance Assistance Program or Social Security (SSA). Call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) if you have questions. TTY users should call 1-877-486-2048.
(Primary Source: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services - Medicare and You Handbook. This content may have been enhanced by Q1Group LLC to include further examples, explanations, and links.)
Medicare Supplements fill the gaps in your Original Medicare