2023 Medicare Open Enrollment

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Open enrollment is the time of year when people can enroll in a new health insurance plan, or make any necessary changes to their current plan, for the upcoming year. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced that the average basic monthly premium for standard Medicare Part D coverage is projected to be approximately $31.50 in 2023. This expected amount is a decrease of 1.8% from $32.08 in 2022.

During the Medicare Open Enrollment period, we offer free consultations about Medicare coverage to the community. You can call us at 817-481-5780 to set up a phone meeting or book an appointment online to come into the pharmacy, whichever is more convenient for you.

Frankly, the program has become more complicated, plus the natural tendency is to stick with what you already have. But that can be an expensive mistake. There are many moving parts to Medicare. The plans change, networks change, the drugs covered one year might not be covered another year.

The plan that worked so well in 2022 might be a disaster in 2023. Even if you are happy with your plan, look at this year’s offerings and see if something might be better suited to you or your spouse. 

Experts report that only one in ten review their plans annually. People get busy, especially as the holiday seasons are on the horizon. We know that Medicare plans are confusing and complicated, however, after December 7, 2022, you have to wait for the next open enrollment period, which begins in October of 2023. The effective date of that change is January 1, 2024.

2023 Medicare Open Enrollment is October 15—December 7.

One way to find out which plan is best for you or a loved one is to use Medicare’s Plan Finder tool at Medicare.gov and plug in your pharmacy and drugs. Be sure to plug in the correct name of your pharmacy, as well as the exact names of the drugs you take. Choose Carefully. Some plans that advertise low or no copays may require you to go only to a preferred pharmacy location in order to receive those special prices.

We consider this decision important enough we are offering our time and knowledge to seniors at no cost. You can spend hours searching for answers.  Making the right choices will substantially lower your medical costs.

Here’s what you need to have us review your Medicare coverage for 2023:

Find your plan. You should have received an “Annual Notice of Change” with information about changes and costs, including premiums, deductibles, and co-pays. If you don’t have Medicare coverage, you won’t receive this letter.

Make a list of all your medications for 2022. If you use another pharmacy, they can provide you with your prescription history. You’ll need this information to make a good decision about the drug plan.

Call to schedule your free Medicare consultation at 817-481-5780 or book an appointment online. We are confident it will be time well spent. The information you learn could be critical.

Visit Medicare.gov to sign up to get important news & updates by email from Medicare.