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Writer's pictureJamie Byrd
Oct 144 min read

Common Medicare Annual Enrollment Mistakes and How to Avoid Them


The Bedrock Group Medicare Annual Enrollment begins Oct 15 and ends Dec 7th
The Medicare Annual Enrollment begins Oct 15 and ends Dec 7th

From October 15th to December 7th, you are not just hit but bombarded with Medicare commercials, ads, mailers, and pesky phone calls. Welcome to the Medicare Annual Enrollment Period!


Now is the time you are inundated with many conflicting messages and people who claim they can help you with a no-cost Medicare Benefits Review. Meanwhile, you may have just received your newly increased Medigap premium. You signed up for a Medicare Advantage Plan and do not understand the plan. Or you’re in Original Medicare, which works well for you. Perhaps you are a Veteran, and the VA is just fine, or your current plan has dropped your medications or even your doctor.


So what should you do? It seems like the easiest thing to do is call Joe Namath, the folks who finally helped Martha, or even Jimmie, which makes it sound Dynomite! Hang tight before you make that call.


Common mistakes:


1. You stay in your current plan without reviewing it or looking at other options.


Medigap plan premiums increase every year. Your Medicare Part D or Medicare Advantage Plan benefits also change annually. Your current plan may have dropped medications or doctors within the network. Your health may have changed since you originally entered into the plan.


Considering the above, it seems like it could be a lot to keep up with, and that is because it is. Since there are annual changes, you should always be able to compare your Medicare plan options.


2. You assume your Medigap plan is the best option and decide to stay, even though the annual premium rise is becoming too expensive.


When it comes to Medicare, you enter into a Medigap plan to cover the 20% Original Medicare does not cover. You pay your Medicare Part B Premium, Medigap Premium, and a monthly prescription drug plan premium. When you first enter Medicare, the Medigap premiums are manageable, but now you may have difficulty affording them. You may also need vision, hearing, and dental coverage.


At this time, you should look into Medicare Part C, which includes Medicare Parts A, B, and D. Most plans include vision, hearing, dental, and other plan benefits, too.


3. You decide not to or decide to enter into a different plan because your neighbor, spouse, or friend did.


Medicare plans are not one size fits all. They are based on your location, prescriptions, doctors, and other health problems or needs.


4. You base your decision on plan premiums or copays.


It is easy to assume you are making a good decision based primarily on your monthly premium and against a plan with only a copay. Looking at all the costs you could have with the premiums, deductibles, coinsurance, and copays is imperative. You must also factor in your health, how often you visit the doctor, your prescriptions, and more. What worked when you first entered Medicare may not be the case now.


5. You assume you make too much money to qualify for extra help.


Multiple programs could provide extra help, especially if you are on a fixed income or living off social security. With the right advice, you could take advantage of financial assistance.


6. You think that the VA is good enough.


Most Veterans do not understand how Medicare Advantage works with the VA and even with TRICARE insurance. Multiple Patriot plan options could reduce your Plan B premiums and more.


Medicare does not have to be confusing.


As mentioned, the above may seem like a lot. It is. Medicare is complicated, so it is essential to have an advocate to assist you now and year after year. It is important to take advantage of the Medicare Annual Enrollment. Allow us to become your advocate. We will assign an agent to you who is not only familiar with your area but also our independent agents who are contracted with all the top-tier insurance carriers, so you can be assured you are receiving unbiased advice.


Right now is the time to review your options. Annual Enrollment runs October 15th and ends December 7th. Please go online to schedule your complimentary Medicare Benefits Review. We are happy to schedule an in-person or over-the-phone call. https://www.bedrockfg.com/scheduleappointment

 

Jamie Smith, the CMO of The Bedrock Group

The Bedrock Group
With Bedrock you can! You can get help with any of your insurance needs.

The Bedrock Group is your full-service insurance agency. With Bedrock, you can get the insurance you deserve.


Want to know more?

At The Bedrock Group, we're a Veteran and First-Responder-owned full-service insurance agency. We provide complimentary consultations and no-cost Medicare reviews. Our home office is located in New Albany, IN. We have a Senior Resource Center in Stanford, KY, and a full-service agency in Asheville, NC. We also offer the following services:


  • Life Insurance

  • Wealth Management

  • Home + Auto

  • Renter's + Condo + Home Insurance

  • Medicare Plans

  • Medicare Advantage Plans

  • Medicare Supplement (Medigap)

  • Hospital Indemnity

  • Final Expense (burial planning)

  • Mortgage Protection

  • Business Insurance

  • Retirement Planning

  • Medicare Enrollment Help

  • + More


We service over 38 States!


If you have Medicare questions, you can call our team at 502-200-1516. If you want to schedule an in-person Medicare Benefits Review, please call 833-905-1060. If you would like a comprehensive overall review, call 833-905-1060 or email hello@mybedrockfg.com with your contact information, including your name, city, state, and phone number, and we will connect with you.


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