Open ENROLLMENT

It’s Time to Evaluate Your Options and Choose the Insurance Plan That’s Best for You

- Teresa Scihffer

IT’S OPEN ENROLLMENT SEASON for Medicare and the Affordable Care Act (ACA) plans. If having health insurance that covers your actual medical needs, as well as your preferred doctors and necessary medications, is important to you, then you might want to pay attention. This is the time of year to review your plan and make note of any changes that will affect you and potentially switch to a more suitable or affordable plan.

We talked to Keith Sumner, an insurance broker with HealthMarkets Insurance Agency in Lakeland, to gain some insight into what people need to be aware of as they navigate their health insurance options. The biggest takeaway from the conversation? The advice of an insurance agent is priceless during this time. Sorting through the myriad of available plans can be a daunting task, and it is wise to consult someone familiar with the details.

First of all, if you qualify for Medicare, you need to know that the open enrollment period began October 15 and ends December 7. In Polk County, there are 47 different Medicare Advantage plans available to consumers through private insurance companies. They all change a little bit every year. Medicare Part A is free, while Medicare Part B is subsidized, with recipients currently responsible for $135.50 per month, which is generally deducted from a social security check or paid through a personal account. Next year, that cost will be $144.60 for most individuals.