It’s that time of year for Medicare beneficiaries to review their
current health plan and remember to take advantage of the earlier open
enrollment start date.
This year open enrollment begins on October 15. It runs through December 7, 2011 to avoid interfering with the end of the year holidays. Any changes you make to your health care coverage will take affect on January 1, 2012.
Now is the time to join, drop or switch your health care and prescription drug plans. But before you do, be sure to compare. You can do this by visiting the www.Medicare.gov website.
Don’t forget that new prescription drug & health plan choices are offered every year. You might find that you’ll save money and/or get better coverage by making a change. And with the new health care law, there are new benefits like lower prescription costs, annual wellness check-ups, and an increased number of preventive care services you may want to utilize.
Another helpful tool for Medicare beneficiaries is the Medicare Star Quality Rating system developed by the CMS as a simple, yet objective way to help you find and select the best Medicare Advantage health plans in your area.
Medicare Advantage plans are rated on scores of one to five stars, with five stars representing the highest quality plan. A comparison is made on how well Medicare health plans perform across five categories which include managing chronic conditions and customer service.
Plan performance summary star ratings are assessed each year and may change annually. Visit Medicare.gov to learn more about Medicare plans using the Medicare Plan Finder and then view the “overall plan rating" to see the highest rated plans in your area. You also might want to read this fact sheet released from the CMS entitled, “Proposed Changes to the Medicare Advantage and the Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit Programs for Contract Year 2012 and Demonstration on Quality Bonus Payments.”
One additional note is that beginning December 8, 2011 Medicare rules allow many Medicare beneficiaries to enroll in 5-Star Medicare Advantage plans throughout the year. You won’t have to wait until open enrollment if a plan becomes available in your area.
Finally, keep in mind that while the star ratings used by CMS to monitor plans to ensure that they meet Medicare’s quality standards, they are not based on current year benefits. Use it only as a guide when you review plan benefits and network providers.
This year open enrollment begins on October 15. It runs through December 7, 2011 to avoid interfering with the end of the year holidays. Any changes you make to your health care coverage will take affect on January 1, 2012.
Medicare Beneficiaries Should Prepare for 2012
Now is the time to join, drop or switch your health care and prescription drug plans. But before you do, be sure to compare. You can do this by visiting the www.Medicare.gov website.
Don’t forget that new prescription drug & health plan choices are offered every year. You might find that you’ll save money and/or get better coverage by making a change. And with the new health care law, there are new benefits like lower prescription costs, annual wellness check-ups, and an increased number of preventive care services you may want to utilize.
Medicare Star Quality Rating System
Another helpful tool for Medicare beneficiaries is the Medicare Star Quality Rating system developed by the CMS as a simple, yet objective way to help you find and select the best Medicare Advantage health plans in your area.
Medicare Advantage plans are rated on scores of one to five stars, with five stars representing the highest quality plan. A comparison is made on how well Medicare health plans perform across five categories which include managing chronic conditions and customer service.
Plan performance summary star ratings are assessed each year and may change annually. Visit Medicare.gov to learn more about Medicare plans using the Medicare Plan Finder and then view the “overall plan rating" to see the highest rated plans in your area. You also might want to read this fact sheet released from the CMS entitled, “Proposed Changes to the Medicare Advantage and the Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit Programs for Contract Year 2012 and Demonstration on Quality Bonus Payments.”
One additional note is that beginning December 8, 2011 Medicare rules allow many Medicare beneficiaries to enroll in 5-Star Medicare Advantage plans throughout the year. You won’t have to wait until open enrollment if a plan becomes available in your area.
Finally, keep in mind that while the star ratings used by CMS to monitor plans to ensure that they meet Medicare’s quality standards, they are not based on current year benefits. Use it only as a guide when you review plan benefits and network providers.
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