Elder Law attorney and passionate special needs advocate Jim Koewler joins Suzanne to talk about open enrollment, and the insurance changes that go on at the end of each year that lead in to the open enrollment period.

From October 15 to December 7 is annual enrollment, when people who are on Medicare Advantage plans (or have other coverage providing a prescription plan) need to see if their current plan is appropriate for them for the coming year. Some people let it ride, while many others shuffle into new plans, because the types of covered medicines can change.

If you change your mind aft December 7, you can change plans from January through March, during a period called open enrollment. Neither period lets you jump into a Medigap Insurance plan if you can't qualify for it, but you can move between Advantage plans. A Medigap plan can accept you at various times, but after those periods of eligibility they don't have to accept you.

Jim describes other sorts of circumstances. For instance, if you want to change from Medicare Advantage to a supplement after the enrollment plan, you have to apply, and an underwriter may interview and evaluate you in person.

Learn more at http://www.protectingseniors.com or email Jim at jkoewler-afe@protectingseniors.com.

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