Blog Post
What's New for Medicare in 2021
State Health Insurance Assistance Programs • January 20, 2021
Medicare Advantage Plan costs
If you have a Medicare Advantage Plan, your plan administers your Part B coverage. Remember that most people with Medicare, whether they have Original Medicare or a Medicare Advantage Plan, pay the Part B monthly premium. Some people with a Medicare Advantage Plan may also pay an additional monthly premium for being enrolled in that plan.
If you have the same Medicare Advantage Plan in 2021 as you did in 2020, your plan should have sent you an Annual Notice of Change (ANOC) or Evidence of Coverage (EOC) notice explaining any changes for the coming year.
Review this notice to understand your plan’s costs, covered services, and rules. Contact your plan if you did not receive these documents in the fall or want another copy. If you chose a new Medicare Advantage Plan, you should get an EOC for the new plan. Review that document to understand the costs associated with the plan for 2021.
When can I change my Medicare coverage in 2021?
During the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (MA OEP), you can switch from your Medicare Advantage Plan to another Medicare Advantage Plan or to Original Medicare with or without a stand-alone prescription drug plan. The MA OEP occurs from January 1 through March 31. Changes made during this period are effective the first of the following month.
If you have Extra Help in 2021, you have a Special Enrollment Period (SEP) to enroll in a Part D plan or switch between plans.
This SEP is available once per calendar quarter for the first three quarters of the year (January-March, April-June, and July-September). If you use the Extra Help SEP to change your coverage, the change will become effective the following month.
If you qualify for another Special Enrollment Period, you may be able to make changes to your Medicare health/drug coverage. For example, you may have an SEP if you move outside of your plan’s service area or If you think a government employee made a mistake while assisting you. Call 1-800-MEDICARE to use an SEP, and contact your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) by calling 877-839-2675 for more information.
Who can I contact if I have Medicare-related questions?
State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP):
Contact your SHIP if you have questions about changes in costs and coverage of your Medicare in 2021. SHIP counselors provide unbiased Medicare counseling and assistance. Contact Juanita Beason with the East Texas Area Agency on Aging at juanita.beason@etcog.org or 1-800-442-8845.
Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP):
Contact your SMP (1-888-341-6187) if you believe you have enrolled in a plan based on misleading information or were enrolled in a plan without your knowledge. SMPs empower and assist Medicare beneficiaries, their families, and caregivers to prevent, detect, and report health care fraud, errors, and abuse.
1-800-MEDICARE (800-633-4227):
Call 1-800-MEDICARE to use an SEP, to request another copy of the Medicare & You handbook, or for more information about your 2021 coverage.
Medicare Advantage Plan or Part D plan:
If you have a Medicare Advantage Plan or Part D plan, contact your plan to ask about changes in your costs or coverage for 2021. You may also contact your Medicare Advantage Plan if you are using the MA OEP to switch plans.
Assistance is available to find and compare 2025 health and drug plans now
We can't wait to host hundreds of area nursing facility administrators, practitioners, caregivers, and others who work with seniors at our 33rd annual REACH Conference (Regional Education on Aging, Caregiving, and Healthcare) next month! The Area Agency on Aging (AAA) hosts the annual conference to provide educational workshops, plenary sessions, and networking opportunities. This year's conference will be held at Maude Cobb in Longview on October 2-3 and is ideal for professionals or caregivers serving older adults and persons with disabilities.
About Us
The Area Agency on Aging of East Texas
is designated by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) to coordinate services for persons in East Texas who are 60 or older, with particular attention to low-income minority older individuals, older individuals with limited-English proficiency, and older individuals residing in rural areas.
1501 Pentecost Road
Kilgore, Texas 75662
1-800-442-8845
Deaf, hard-of-hearing or speech-impaired customers may contact
Relay Texas: 800-735-2989 (TTY) and 711 (Voice).
Equal opportunity is the law.
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