Ohio Open Enrollment - Time to Evaluate Your Medicare Coverage

The Medicare open enrollment period offers Medicare beneficiaries in all US states an opportunity to review their health plan and switch to a new one that accommodates new needs, such as a change in health status. Ohio health insurance companies offer various types of Medicare Supplement or Advantage Plans for Ohio residents. If your needs have changed since you enrolled in a Medicare plan, this is the time to evaluate your Medicare coverage and look at the options that will work better for you.

Ohio Medicare Enrollment Options

In 2011, Medicare’s open enrollment period is from October 15 to December 7.  This period is your chance to make changes to your Ohio Medicare Advantage, Supplement, Medigap plans or Medicare prescription drug coverage for 2012, which includes:

•    Change from Original Medicare PARTS A 7 B, to a Medicare Advantage, Supplement or Medigap Plan. Original Medicare does not cover everything. To close the gaps in this coverage, you can switch to a Medicare Advantage Plan (HMO or PPO) offered by private insurers approved by Medicare. Cost, additional coverage, and rules are different for different plans.

•    Switch from your current Medicare Advantage Plan back to Medicare Supplement or Medigap Plans.

•    Change from a Medicare Advantage Plan without drug coverage to a Medicare Advantage Plan that offers drug coverage.

•    Change from a Medicare Advantage Plan that offers drug coverage to a Medicare Advantage Plan that includes drug coverage.

•    Enroll in a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan.

•    Change from one Medicare Prescription Drug Plan to another Medicare Prescription Drug Plan.

•    Give up your Medicare prescription drug coverage completely.

In select Ohio counties, there are $0 monthly plans premium in addition to your monthly Medicare Part B premium. Unless otherwise noted, out-of-network services are not covered. Some of the plans provide you access to several thousands of network doctors nationwide. Similarly, the Medicare Advantage Plans offered by other health insurance companies offers you more benefits for less money than Original Medicare for most services, and come with predictable out-of-pocket costs 

Making the Right Decision during Medicare Enrollment

Open enrollment is the time when Ohio seniors should examine their Ohio Medicare plans, consider their health status and the various options available to them, and find which one is suited to their needs.  The best way to make the right decision during Medicare open enrollment is to get professional guidance from an independent health insurance agent in Ohio. With vast experience and knowledge in the field, a reliable agent can help you evaluate your Ohio Medicare coverage and make the changes necessary to improve your health insurance and drug coverage.

About Author

Tracy Mc Manamon and his associates at One Source Benefits have over 22 years of experience in the health insurance industry. They offer affordable policies in the state of Kentucky and Ohio.

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