Medicare Open Enrollment Starts October 15

The open enrollment period for Medicare starts tomorrow (October 15). The open enrollment period goes from October 15 to December 7, 2011. Medicare is available to all those age 65 and over and younger people with disabilities as well as those with kidney failure requiring dialysis or a transplant. Many people under 65 do not know that they may qualify.

With more benefits, better choices and lower costs, it is important that people with Medicare and their families begin reviewing drug and health plan coverage options for 2012 early.  Due to the Affordable Care Act, people with Medicare can get certain preventive services for free and can get more affordable prescription drugs.

Open enrollment is seniors’ chance to review their Medicare choices and pick the plan that works for them, or keep the plan they have today. The open enrollment period, provides the people with Medicare to evaluate their options for 2012 and maximize the benefits. Starting early in the enrollment period process will give you the time you need to properly evaluate your needs without the pressures of procrastinating until the last couple days of the process.

A recent survey by PlanPrescriber, an online insurance comparison tool and seller, found that 65 percent of 475 seniors enrolled in Medicare's Part D prescription drug program weren't aware of the change in the time-line. I urge you that if anyone in your family or neighbor is a participant of Medicare or potential candidate for Medicare to contact their local financial advisers to properly educate them in the best plan for them.

If you are in Florida, please contact me and I will refer you to people that will properly guide you in the decision process. You can send me an email to gonzalezconsultingintl@gmail.com.