During open enrollment, take a hard look at Part D and Medicare Advantage plans.
If you have a medicare part D prescription-drug plan or a Medicare Advantage plan (which combines medical and drug coverage), you have an opportunity to switch plans every year during open enrollment, which runs from October 15 to December 7.
Many people put their Medicare Advantage and Part D plans on autopilot, although the choice of plans, costs and coverage, as well as your health care needs, can change from year to year. Sticking with the status quo could be a costly mistake in the coming year, because there have been major changes in benefits and coverage.
“Individuals are going to have to be much more conscious about their health care needs when they choose a plan for 2019,” says Tatiana Fassieux, of California Health Advocates, which runs the state’s Medicare counseling program. More insurers are offering plans with low premiums, but there are trade-offs, such as higher co-payments for drugs or smaller provider networks. If you’re healthy, these plans could save you money. But a low premium plan could end up costing you more if you have expensive medications or a lot of health care needs.
CUT THE COST OF PART D
The average premium for Part D plans is decreasing by $1 per month in 2019, to $32.50, according to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. New plans are entering the market (such as those from Mutual of Omaha, which offers popular Medicare supplemental insurance, or “medigap,” plans), and more insurers are introducing prescription-drug plans with lower premiums.
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
FREE HELP FOR COLLEGEBOUND STUDENTS
This program’s mentors assist applicants as they fill out the FAFSA, write essays and more.
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT SPOUSAL IRAS
You typically need earned income to contribute to an individual retirement account, but a spousal IRA provides an important exception to this rule.
SELLING SHARES? HERE'S HOW TO MINIMIZE TAXES ON YOUR GAINS
ET'S say you've been regularly buying shares in a booming tech company over the past few years, but now you want to start taking some of those profits, perhaps to rebalance your portfolio.
Strategies for Novice Investors
AS part of a lifes kills program for young, single mothers, I was asked to teach a class on how to get on top of your finances.
ANSWERS TO YOUR 529 PLAN QUESTIONS
Thanks to recent policy changes, families have more options for what to do with money sitting in these tax-advantaged accounts.
Rate-Cut Winners and Losers
NOW that the Federal Reserve has cracked the interest rate ice, the next development will be to separate winners from losers.
SHOULD YOU BUY THESE RED-HOT FUNDS?
Covered-call ETFs are popular but come with plenty of caveats.
DIVIDEND STOCKS ARE READY TO REBOUND
Our favorite dividend payers are poised to benefit as falling interest rates lure investors back.
IS A 55+ COMMUNITY RIGHT FOR YOU?
These age-restricted developments appeal to older adults seeking abundant amenities and an active lifestyle.
AT LONG LAST, RATES ARE DROPPING
Consider these portfolio moves now that the Federal Reserve has cut its benchmark interest rate.