Medicare Agents Helpline urges seniors to compare plans before open enrollment

Medicare Agents Helpline is urging seniors to review Medicare coverage before the Annual Enrollment Period, which runs from Oct. 15 to Dec. 7, to find better benefits and lower costs. The company says early comparisons can help people avoid plan changes, network shifts and drug formulary surprises that can raise out-of-pocket expenses.

Why it matters: - Medicare plans can change every year, and those changes can affect premiums, deductibles, copays, drug coverage and provider networks. - Seniors who review options before open enrollment may find lower costs or better benefits than their current plan provides. - Early shopping can also reduce the risk of surprise prescription costs or losing access to preferred doctors and hospitals.

What happened: - Medicare Agents Helpline urged seniors to compare Medicare plans before the Annual Enrollment Period, which runs from Oct. 15 to Dec. 7. - The Indianapolis-based service said working with a local Medicare agent before the rush can make it easier to choose a plan and move quickly once enrollment opens. - The company directed consumers to Medicare Agents Helpline for plan comparisons and help.

The details: - Medicare Advantage plans are offered by private insurers approved by Medicare and combine Part A and Part B benefits. - Many Medicare Advantage plans also include Part D drug coverage and extras such as dental, vision, hearing and fitness benefits. - Medicare Supplement, or Medigap, plans help pay costs Original Medicare does not cover, including copayments, coinsurance and deductibles. - Medigap plans are standardized, so a Plan G from one carrier provides the same basic benefits as a Plan G from another carrier; only the premium differs. - Medicare Part D plans cover prescription drugs through standalone drug plans or through Medicare Advantage plans that include drug coverage. - Part D plans have separate formularies and cost-sharing structures, including deductibles, copayments and coinsurance. - Medicare Agents Helpline said premiums can vary widely across carriers even for the same Medigap plan. - The company said drug formularies, plan networks and plan offerings can all change from year to year.

Between the lines: - The message is aimed at people who auto-renew without checking whether their health needs or plan benefits have changed. - The pitch also highlights how much of Medicare shopping depends on comparing details that are easy to miss, such as formularies and provider networks. - For seniors on fixed incomes, even small plan differences can add up to material annual savings.

What's next: - Seniors will have the strongest incentive to compare options before Oct. 15, when the Annual Enrollment Period begins. - Medicare Agents Helpline says agents can help review options now and then transition a member into a chosen plan once enrollment opens. - The company says seniors can contact a local Medicare agent at Medicare Agents Helpline for free help, guidance and coverage review.