Nearly 66 million Americans care for an aging, seriously ill, or disabled family member or friend. Each fall, Medicare offers open enrollment so caregivers and seniors may review their coverage or change to a different plan.

Also known as the Annual Enrollment Period (AEP), or the Annual Election Period, Medicare Open Enrollment takes place from Oct. 15 to Dec. 7. Caregivers assisting those with Medicare coverage, or enrolled themselves, can use this allotted time to review their plan choices and learn more about the different parts of Medicare (A,B,C and D).

Caregivers and seniors may visit the Ask Medicare website at https://www.medicare.gov/ for guidance on planning loved one’s long-term care, choosing prescriptions, and finding state and local resources.

“At least 70 percent of people over 65 will need long-term care services,” says Medicare.gov.

The Ask Medicare site also provides a free e-newsletter, where users can sign up for updates about Open Enrollment, changes to Medicare, and notices about new, available resources.

Great Care Founder and CEO Julie Sullivan says its important for seniors and caregivers to understand their options on Medicare.

“It’s great to utilize the resources on the Ask Medicare and AARP websites, and ask for help from Great Care professionals who have experience with the enrollment process,” Sullivan says. “There are many ways we can help direct you in the right direction. Our caregivers have hands-on knowledge with many aspects of long-term care that affect seniors and their caregivers.”

For those with a computer, Internet access and audio capacity who are seeking information to make decisions about the best plan options, AARP can help. The website offers a free, 60-minute webinar at 2 p.m. (EST) on Thursday, Oct. 29. Register here.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), located online at cms.gov, also provides outreach and assistance to help with enrollment and review of Medicare health and drug plans. CMS is a part of the Department of Health and Human Services.

“People in a Medicare health or prescription drug plan should always review the materials their plans send them, like the “Evidence of Coverage” (EOC) and “Annual Notice of Change” (ANOC),” says CMC. “If their plans are changing, they should make sure their plans will still meet their needs for the following year. If they’re satisfied that their current plans will meet their needs for next year and it’s still being offered, they don’t need to do anything.”

According to CMS, those already enrolled in Medicare can make changes each year — including cost, coverage, and what providers and pharmacies are in their networks.

“Oct. 15 to Dec. 7 is when all people with Medicare can change their Medicare health plans and prescription drug coverage for the following year to better meet their needs.”

Visit Medicare.gov or call 1-800-MEDICARE for more information on open enrollment.
The professionals at Great Care are available to talk with you and your family about all of your home care needs. Great Care is a non medical in-home care agency providing quality and affordable elder care in Fishers, IN and the surrounding areas. Call (317) 595-9933 for more information