For those on Medicare or who purchase their insurance through the Affordable Care Act (ACA), enrollment periods will open soon, and they will also close. Now is the time to review your options and make any changes needed to address your current and anticipated medical needs.

In 2019 Medicare Open Enrollment is October 15^th through December 7^th 

Medicare is the insurance system most seniors use to address their healthcare needs. You only need to enroll in Medicare once, but the open enrollment period is still important because now is the time to:

• Switch from Original Medicare (Medicare Parts A and B) to Medicare Advantage or vice versa;
• Change from one Medicare Advantage Plan to Another; and/or
• Add or change Medicare prescription drug plans.

If you want to make any of these changes, now is the only time to do so unless you qualify for a special enrollment period. 

Here Are The Changes to Medicare

There are several changes to the Medicare that may impact your coverage decisions. These are:

• Medicare Supplement Plans C and F are no longer available to new enrollees.
• Original Medicare Part B plans will have an increased premium and a higher deductible. 
• Medicare Advantage Plan (Part C) premiums are likely to decrease.

Now is the time to review your Medicare plans and determine which factors, such as cost and ability to stay with your current physician, are most important to you. The recent changes may influence your choices, and Alliance can help you understand their impacts on your current coverage and recommend changes if appropriate. At Alliance, we understand the Florida Medicare options and can help you select the right plan to fit your needs and budget.  

Affordable Care Act (ACA) Open Enrollment November 1^st through December 15th

Open Enrollment for 2020 coverage under the ACA begins November 1^st, but there is another important date to keep in mind. On October 26, 2019 the plans and benefit information is released, which provides specific and detailed information about available plans and their coverages. This is the window in which you should review your options and make key decisions.  

As you prepare to complete the application for ACA coverage during this open enrollment period, you will want to have essential information ready. These are:

• Social security number(s) for yourself and other family members who will be on your plan;
• Tax filing information;
• Current health coverage information; and
• Facts about dependents who you’d like to cover.

You should also understand your anticipated needs for the coming year. This can include whether you plan to have a child, if your children will need braces or if you anticipate surgeries.  Knowing your needs will help to assure that you have the coverage you require and that you won’t pay for things you won’t use.

Here are the Changes to the Affordable Care Act 

In 2018, the government removed the penalty for not having health insurance. Changes were also made to allow people to purchase less costly coverage by choosing which healthcare sectors they needed and which they did not. In addition, funding was cut to the Department of Health and Human Services for “navigators” who provided one-to-one help for people signing up for a plan under the ACA. Since the number of these navigators have been drastically reduced, it is important not to wait until the last minute to seek help in selecting coverages. 

Fortunately, Alliance Insurance is here to assist you. We work with the best Florida insurance carriers who offer plans under the ACA program. As a result, we know these plans and can help you select the right one for your need. 

Open enrollment season is here and, whether you are under the Medicare or ACA programs, we know the systems and the Florida providers who offer these coverages. Save yourself time, stress and hassle by putting our expertise to work for you. We will assist you in selecting the best available coverage that fits your needs and your budget.