By Caryn Hill | San Juan Area Agency on Aging
It’s time to review your Medicare coverage. Medicare Open Enrollment is Oct. 15-Dec. 7.
During this period, Medicare beneficiaries can make the following changes to their Medicare coverage:
• Join, drop or switch to another Medicare Advantage plan or add/drop drug coverage.
• Switch from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage plan.
• Switch from one drug plan to another drug plan.
Medicare Open Enrollment happens only once a year, therefore it is important that beneficiaries act during this period if they want to make a change to how their health care is provided.
A SHIP (State Health Insurance Assistance Program) Medicare counselor can meet with beneficiaries and offer assistance during open enrollment. All beneficiaries are encouraged to review their current drug and advantage plans to ensure they have the best plan possible for their needs. Beneficiaries can compare health and drug plans on medicare.gov.
SHIP counselors are available by appointment only; walk-ins are not available. Open enrollment appointments are available Monday through Friday. Starting Nov. 13, in-person appointments will be available only on Mondays and Wednesdays. All other appointments will be conducted by phone or virtually.
To make an appointment, please call (970) 264-0501, ext. 2. For in-person appointments, we are located in the Pagosa Senior Center at 451 Hot Springs Blvd.
