Every year from Oct. 15 through Dec. 7, your Medicare-age clients make decisions that could end up costing them thousands of dollars, derailing the financial plan you’ve developed for them.
But, as a Medicare BackOffice® partner, you can help them make informed, smart decisions during the annual Medicare Open Enrollment Period. To help you communicate to your clients the importance and urgency of reviewing their Medicare plans now, we’ve created a message that you can email to your Medicare-enrolled clients (those age 65 and older). Just customize this email by adding each client’s name at the top, and then your name, title and contact information at the bottom. (You may need to have your compliance officer review the letter if your company policy requires so.) You can find this email on the advisor side of MedicareBackOffice.com under the “Resources-Library” tab by clicking on “Client-facing” materials.
If you’re meeting face-to-face with clients or calling them, remember these three basic steps:
Be prepared by knowing the open enrollment basics. Review these commonly asked questions and their answers.
What is Medicare’s Open Enrollment Period?
From Oct. 15 to Dec. 7 each year, it’s when Medicare beneficiaries can make changes to their Medicare Advantage or Medicare Part D Prescription Drug coverage for the coming year.
Why is open enrollment and reviewing my plan now so important?
Medicare Advantage and Medicare Part D Prescription Drug plans can change each year, meaning the amounts you pay in premiums and deductibles could increase. Insurance carriers also can change their drug formularies, meaning a drug that costs you a few dollars each month could double or triple in price next year if dropped from your carrier’s formulary. Reviewing your plans is one of the best ways to manage your long-term retirement plan because you can identify any changes that could add up expenses over time, or that could quickly lead to financial hardship. Plus, you could even find a plan with better coverage.
Can I change my Medicare Supplement during open enrollment?
Yes, if you have a Medicare Supplement plan instead of Medicare Advantage, it can be a good idea to review your plan because Medicare Supplement premiums and plans also can change. However, be advised that switching Medicare Supplement policies could require you to submit to a medical underwriting process that could result in a higher rate or denial based on its findings. (A Medicare BackOffice Licensed Insurance Agent can help explain if or how this could impact you.)
Why is an annual review of my Medicare Part D Prescription Drug coverage especially important each year?
If you have new medications, have switched medications or your insurance carrier changes its drug formulary, your costs could skyrocket if you don’t carefully review your current plan. And switching to a plan because you can save on the monthly premium could be costly, too. The plans with the lowest premiums are not always the better financial choice. The cost of one month’s worth of one drug that’s not on your plan’s formulary could exceed an entire year’s worth of your monthly premiums. Watch this short video to understand the importance of comparing drug plans.
