CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The annual election period for Medicare, the federal health insurance program, runs from Oct. 15 to Dec. 7 for Americans age 65 and older.
Certain people under 65 may also qualify if they have certain medical conditions or disabilities. Whether it's enrolling in Medicare for the first time or renewing your plan, the enrollment process can be overwhelming because there are so many options available.
Caraline Coats, the president of Humana Florida Medicare, said eligible people can choose between original Medicare and Medicare Advantage plans.
"It's important to take a moment and figure out what makes sense for you," she said.
Medicare vs. Medicare Advantage
Original Medicare plans cover hospital visits, emergency care and doctor visits. According to Coats, Medicare patients will pay a deductible and typically pay around 20% of costs after that. They also much purchase prescription drug coverage, which is separate from Medicare.
By comparison, Medicare Advantage plans are provided by private health insurers, such as Humana, UnitedHealthcare and Blue Cross Blue Shield.
"You are also capped annually on your out-of-pocket expenses," Coats said. "It covers all your doctors and your hospitals, emergency and drugs. And it may also cover other services that are important to you, depending on where you live."
What is best for me?
Dr. Robert Zorowitz, Humana's regional vice president of health services for the Northeast, said people should keep a few factors in mind when it comes to choosing a Medicare health plan. First, you should check to see if your specific doctor and the hospitals you use are in network under your plan. The second thing you should check, according to Zorowitz, is if the drugs you need are covered under your plan.
"You may want to speak with your physician about your future health risks to make sure the plan is best suited to you," Zorowitz added.
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services lists different Medicare Advantage plans and rates them on a scale of 1 to 5.
"Putting all of this together, your doctor, your hospital, your drugs, future health risks and the quality of the plan," Zorowitz said. "It would then be possible to limit to the one or two best plans suitable for your health needs."
Zorowitz said there is a difference between patients with original Medicare compared to those who have Medicare Advantage plans, including possible financial protection.
"Beneficiaries have fewer hospitalizations, fewer trips to the emergency room, and lower readmission rates, among other things," Zorowitz said.
Contact Jane Monreal at jmonreal@wcnc.com and follow her on Facebook, X and Instagram.