Medicare Plan Changes for 2011
Every year between November 15 and December 31 is an open enrollment period for people on Medicare to change the plan they are on. They may be on original Medicare or an HMO provider. The Health Reform Act has created some changes in Medicare coverage as well as other changes have taken place. The Medicare recipients' needs to explore their options and make the changes they feel are necessary if any. Below is a list of the Medicare plan changes for 2011.
The primary changes will be in Part D prescription drug plans and Medicare Advance health plans for those eligible.
Medicare recipients will receive a 50% discount on brand name prescription drugs if they fall in the Part D doughnut hole.
If you pay higher income premiums for Part B coverage, you will pay a higher premium for your Part D coverage.
The health reform act has made it mandatory for many preventive services such as mammograms and prostate cancer screening to be covered with no cost to the insured. Traditional Medicare and most of the Medicare Advantage plans will do this as well.
Annual out of pocket medical expenses (not including premiums and prescription drugs) will be capped at a maximum of $6,700 for most Medicare Advantage health plans in 2011. Some of the plans may have lower limits.
It is critical for Medicare recipients to investigate which plan is best for them and make any plan changes before December 31, 2010. Every year Medicare recipients receive an "Annual Notice of Change" which itemizes benefits and compares your current plan with several options.
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