Frequently Asked Questions
Annual open enrollment happens every year from October 15 to December 7, and there’s a lot to consider when deciding whether to renew your current plan or find a new one. Is your plan changing? Are your doctors and prescription drugs still covered? Have your health needs changed?
Our online plan recommendation tool makes it easy for you to shop and compare your coverage with plans for the coming year, select a new plan and enroll.
We’ve answered some of the most common questions we’re asked during open enrollment.
If your plan is changing or being discontinued
My insurance company is making changes to my existing plan. How can I compare it to others to see if it’s still the right plan for me?
Starting October 15, you can compare your current plan with plans available for next year using our plan recommendation tool. Just follow these steps:
- Log in to this site.
- Find “Your Current Coverage”on the homepage.
- Click Shop 2024Plansunder the plan you want to shop for.
- Go through the steps of updating your profile. The more information you provide, the better we can recommend plans that fit your needs.
- Compare your plan to others we recommend. Plans are scored based on cost and benefits. The higher the score, the better the match.
To keep your current plan, simply do nothing and it will renew. Or select a new plan and follow the steps to enroll.
I’ve been notified that my plan is being discontinued. What are my options?
If your plan is being discontinued, your health insurance company will let you know by U.S. Mail. Your insurance company may have automatically enrolled you in a similar plan. If you’re satisfied with that plan, simply do nothing and you'll be automatically enrolled. Be sure to review the summary of benefits.
If you want to explore other plans, you can shop using our plan recommendation tool (see steps in previous question). Starting October 15, you can log in and compare your plan to new ones. If you choose a different plan, simply enroll. No need to decline the other plan.
If your insurance company has not enrolled you in a similar plan, you’ll need use our plan recommendation tool to choose a new plan and enroll in order to maintain coverage for next year.
I received a letter with a prescheduled appointment. Is there anything I need to do?
Yes; you must confirm the appointment in order for a licensed Benefits Advisor to call you at the scheduled time. If you don’t confirm the appointment, you won’t receive a call. You can confirm your appointment by logging into your Alight account or calling the customer service phone number listed in your letter or email.
Changing your plan
What are some reasons to change plans?
If you’ve been in the same Medicare plan for a few years or your health needs have changed, it might be time to review your options. These questions may help you decide if you should reconsider your coverage:
- Have your doctors or prescription drugs changed?
- Has the way you use your plan changed? For example, do you go to the doctor more (or less), have more diagnostic tests, or go to the hospital more?
- Do you travel more or less than when you selected your plan?
- Has your plan premium increased significantly?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, it might be time to compare your plan with others to see if there’s something else that better fits your needs.
How do I change plans during annual open enrollment?
Switching from one Medicare Advantage or prescription drug plan to another is very straightforward – simply use our plan recommendation tool to choose a new plan and complete an application between October 15 and December 7. (See steps in next question.)
If you're switching from one Medicare Supplement plan to another or from Medicare Advantage to Medicare Supplement, you may be subject to underwriting, meaning that you aren’t guaranteed acceptance. The exception is when you qualify for "guaranteed issue rights," which means an insurance company can't refuse to sell you a Medicare Supplement policy. Learn more about guaranteed issue rights.
How can I compare my plan with plans available next year?
Starting October 15, you can compare your current plan with plans available for next year and enroll online using our plan recommendation tool. Just follow these steps:
- Log in to this site.
- Find the “Your Current Coverage” box on the homepage.
- Click Compare 2023 Coverage under the plan you want to shop for.
- Go through the steps of updating your profile. The more information you provide, the better we can recommend plans that fit your needs.
- Compare your plan to others we recommend. Plans are scored based on cost and benefits. The higher the score, the better the match.
To keep your current plan, simply do nothing and it will renew. Or select a new plan and follow the steps to enroll.
If I change plans, do I need to cancel my current coverage?
Maybe. It depends on what kind of plan you have, and what you’re switching to.
If you end a Medicare Supplement plan, always contact the plan to cancel your coverage after you’ve been accepted into the new plan.
If you switch from one Medicare Advantage plan to another, you do not need to cancel your coverage.
When can I change my plan for next year?
Medicare Advantage and prescription drug plans can be changed during the annual open enrollment period, October 15 through December 7. You can also return to Original Medicare Parts A and B.Under certain circ*mstances, you may qualify to change your plan outside of the Medicare open enrollment period. See if you qualify.
Medicare Supplement plans can be changed any time during the year (medical underwriting may apply).
Keeping your plan
I want to keep my plan. Do I need to do anything?
No. If you would like to keep your current plan and it is being offered next year, you do not need to do anything. Just continue paying your current premium or the new premium for next year.
If I keep my plan, what changes should I expect every year?
Medicare Advantage and prescription drug plans may change on January 1 of each year. Your insurance company mails you an Annual Notice of Change in September, which outlines changes for the coming year. While Medicare Supplement plans do not change their coverage each year, plan premiums as well as Original Medicare deductibles, Part B Premium, and copay levels may change. Make sure to review all the documents you receive, as well as Original Medicare’s deductibles and copays before the beginning of the year.
Do premiums change every year? When will new premiums be known?
Premiums for Medicare Advantage and prescription drug plans can change on January 1 of each year. New premium amounts are made available by October 1 for the coming year. Premiums for Medicare Supplement plans can change any time of year. Your insurance company will communicate any premiums changes at least 30 days before the change takes effect.
Will my doctors still be covered next year?
Changes to provider networks can occur at any time. For that reason, we recommend that you check to make sure each of your doctors are still in network as part of your decision-making process during open enrollment. When you’re shopping and comparing plans with our plan recommendation tool, you’ll be asked to update your doctors. Doing so will help us find plans that include your doctors in network.
Do I need new insurance cards each year?
You’ll get new cards when your plan renews. If you change your plan, you will receive new ID cards within a few weeks of applying.
Help & Resources
How can I get help during open enrollment?
You can use Live Chat or call us to get help during open enrollment, but wait times vary. We encourage you to log in and use our plan recommendation tool to shop and compare plans online. This is the same tool our licensed Benefits Advisors use. It’s easy to enroll online — no need to call or have an appointment!
What other resources and tools are available to help me through open enrollment?
We’ve created several ways for you to learn more about open enrollment and how to use our plan recommendation tool:
Articles:
- Open Enrollment: What You Need to Know
- Ask the Benefits Advisor: Is My Current Plan Right for Me?
- Ask the Benefits Advisor: Annual Open Enrollment
- Medicare Supplement vs. Medicare Advantage: Which Plan is Right for You?
- 3 Ways to Prepare for Open Enrollment
Downloadable guides:
- Alight Medicare Guide
