CMS
NEWS
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 15,
2015
Contact: CMS Media Relations
(202) 690-6145 | CMS
Media Inquiries
Medicare
Open Enrollment Starts Today
Individuals
with Medicare can shop for high quality health and drug plans
The Centers for Medicare &
Medicaid Services (CMS) today announced the beginning of the Medicare Open
Enrollment period where people with Medicare can shop for a Medicare Advantage
(MA) or Prescription Drug Plan (PDP) for 2016. The Medicare Open Enrollment
period happens every year from October 15 through December 7.
“Health needs can change in a year,
so it is important for people with Medicare to use this time to check to see if
they are getting the best price and best quality plan available,” said CMS Acting
Administrator Andy Slavitt. “Even if you are happy with your current coverage,
take the time to investigate all of your options and determine if a better
option is available. You might be surprised to find a higher-quality,
lower-cost plan in your area.”
For 2016, Medicare beneficiaries
will have access to even more plans with high-star quality ratings at stable or
lower costs. The average basic Medicare PDP premium in 2016 will remain
stable at $32.50 per month while the average MA premium will
decrease to an average of $32.91. In addition, approximately 49 percent of
2016 MA plans and 41 percent of PDPs earned 4 stars or higher in their 2016
overall star rating.
And, thanks to the Affordable Care
Act, people with Medicare are seeing reduced costs on covered brand-name and
generic drugs. Since 2010, closing the prescription drug “donut hole” has saved
nearly 10 million Medicare beneficiaries more than $17.6 billion on
prescription drugs through July 2015. Since the law passed, MA premiums have
dropped by an estimated 10 percent while enrollment has climbed by over 50
percent.
“Costs for Medicare Advantage and
Prescription Drug Plans can vary by location. That’s why it’s important for
people with Medicare to review their plan, shop, and compare all their
options,” said Slavitt.
Beneficiaries can visit
Medicare.gov to search for a plan that is right for them. They can compare
costs, premiums and star ratings for 2016 MA health and drug plans. Star
ratings can be used to compare the quality of health and drug plans being
offered. Medicare MA health and drug plans with 5- star ratings are eligible to
enroll beneficiaries at any time during the year.
If Medicare beneficiaries are
satisfied with their current coverage and feel it will meet their needs for
2016, they do not need to do anything. Those with original Medicare are
eligible to shop for a health or drug plan; or, individuals with a MA health
plan may use the Open Enrollment period to switch to original Medicare.
Resources for Medicare
Beneficiaries
People with Medicare, their
families, and caregivers can review and compare current plan coverage with new
plan offerings, using many proven resources, including:
- Visiting www.medicare.gov
to see plan coverage and costs available in their area and enroll in a new
plan if they decide to make a change. Open Enrollment information is
available in Spanish.
- Calling 1-800-MEDICARE
(1-800-633-4227) for around-the-clock assistance to find out more about
coverage options. TTY users should call 1-877-486-2048.
- Reviewing the 2016 Medicare
& You handbook. It is accessible online at: www.medicare.gov/pubs/pdf/10050.pdf
and has been mailed to the homes of people with Medicare.
- Getting one-on-one
counseling assistance from the local State Health Insurance Assistance
Program (SHIP). Local SHIP contact information can be found:
- At www.medicare.gov/contacts/organization-search-criteria.aspx; or
- On the back of the 2016
Medicare & You handbook; or
- By calling Medicare
(contact information above).
Individuals with Medicare who have
limited income and resources may qualify for Extra Help paying for their
prescription drug costs. There is no cost or obligation to apply for Extra
Help, also called the low-income subsidy. Medicare beneficiaries, family
members, or caregivers can apply online at http://www.socialsecurity.gov/prescriptionhelp
or call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY users should call
1-800-325-0778) to find out more.
For more information on the
premiums and costs of 2016 health and drug plans, please visit: https://www.cms.gov/Medicare/Prescription-Drug-Coverage/PrescriptionDrugCovGenIn/index.html.
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