When can I change my Medicare plan, and who can help me choose for free?
Short answer: Between October 15 and December 7 each year you can join, switch or drop a Medicare Advantage or Part D drug plan, with changes starting January 1. Cape & Islands SHINE counsellors (508-375-6762) help free and sell nothing.
Each autumn, from October 15 to December 7, anyone on Medicare can join, switch or drop a Medicare Advantage plan or a Part D drug plan. The change starts on January 1. If you are already in a Medicare Advantage plan, you get a second chance from January 1 to March 31 to switch to another Advantage plan or go back to Original Medicare.
Before you decide, read the Annual Notice of Change your plan sends in September: premiums, covered drugs and doctors can all change.
Free, unbiased help
SHINE (Serving the Health Insurance Needs of Everyone) counsellors are trained volunteers who compare plans with you and sell nothing. On the Cape, call 508-375-6762 or ask your Council on Aging: most hold SHINE sessions through the autumn, and you can see them on the senior centre events page. Appointments fill up in November, so book early.
Medicare will never phone you to sell a plan. If someone calls asking for your Medicare number, hang up.
More detail: our Medicare Open Enrollment guide.
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