The Medicare Open Enrollment period, which began October 15, will end on December 7. This means that Medicare beneficiaries must act soon if they wish to:
- Join, drop or switch to another Medicare Advantage plan or change drug coverage.
- Switch from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage plan.
- Switch from one drug plan to another drug plan.
For those making changes, coverage starts on January 1, 2024. Medicare drug plans (Part D) change every year, so all beneficiaries are encouraged to review their current drug plan to be sure they are enrolled in the most cost-effective plan available.
For those individuals enrolled in a Medicare Advantage Plan, an additional open enrollment period runs from January 1 to March 31. During this period, Medicare Advantage Plan enrollees can:
- Switch to another Medicare Advantage Plan.
- Drop their Medicare Advantage Plan and return to Original Medicare. They will also be able to join a separate Medicare drug plan.
Coverage starts the first of the month after the new plan gets their request.
SHIP (State Health Insurance Assistance Program) Medicare counselors are available to meet with beneficiaries and offer no-cost, unbiased assistance. Beneficiaries can also compare health and drug plans on medicare.gov.
SHIP counselors are available by appointment only; walk-ins are not available. To make an appointment, please call (970) 264-0501, ext. 2. We offer both phone/virtual or in-person appointments. For in-person appointments, we are located in the Pagosa Senior Center at 451 Hot Springs Blvd.