INSURANCE

Q: What is the Annual Notice of Change? When should I receive it?

A: Everyone in a Medicare Advantage plan will receive a “Plan

Annual Notice of Change” (ANOC) sometime during the month of September. The ANOC outlines any changes you will see in your plan for the following year.

Medicare Advantage plans and Prescription Drug plans are permitted to make changes in their cost, coverage, network providers and pharmacies each year. Some plans may also be discontinued and it will be up to you to find a different plan or go back to Original Medicare. All this information will be contained in the ANOC Notice which will arrive before October 1.

It may seem like a lot of reading to wade through, but it is extremely important for you to go over these materials to make sure your plan will continue to meet your needs and budget in the coming year.

Important areas to focus on are:

Changes in benefits and cost: Do the changes affect the services you use? Has the amount of your co-pay changed? Have the premiums or out-of-pocket costs changed?

Part D Prescription Drug Plan: Are your prescription medications covered? Are they in a different tier? Can you continue to use the same pharmacies? Have the premium, deductible or tier costs changed?

Providers Network: Are your doctors, hospitals and other health care providers still in the network?

If you are satisfied that your current Medicare Advantage plan will meet your needs for next year, you can relax. You do not need to do anything. Your coverage will automatically renew. If, however, you find significant changes or would like to see how other plans measure up, you will need to look into other plans once Medicare’s Open Enrollment begins on October 15.

For those insured through a former employer

If you are insured through a former employer or union please read all mail concerning your insurance coverage as soon as you receive it. Your dates for making changes may not be the same as Medicare’s open enrollment. Always talk to your benefits administrator before making changes because it can be difficult to get this type of coverage back once it is dropped.

Please call or email me with your questions concerning your insurance needs, including life, health, Medicare Advantage Plans and Medicare Supplements. I will help you find a plan that works for you. My email is Lmutsko@mutskoinsurance.com or call 440-255-5700.

Laura Mutsko Mutsko Insurance Services, LLC 6982 Spinach Drive, Mentor, OH 44060 440-255-5700 www.mutskoinsurance.com