UNDERSTANDING THE MEDICARE ANNUAL ELECTION PERIOD: TIPS FROM HUMANA

Sasha sits down with Humana’s Atlanta Market Manager, Rusty Lamb to find out more about the Annual Medicare Election Period. The Annual Election Period when you can sign up for a 2018 Medicare plan runs from Oct. 15 until Dec. 7, 2017. So now is the time for people eligible for Medicare and their families to research and compare Medicare health and prescription plans and enroll in a 2018 Medicare plan. In certain situations, you may also qualify for a special enrollment period.

It’s really important to do your homework to ensure you find the plan that best suits your health care needs as well as your budget. It’s also important to note that the plan you select between October 15 and December 7, 2017, will be your Medicare plan for all of 2018, with few exceptions. Plans go into effect January 1, 2018.
WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR MEDICARE?
Medicare is America’s health insurance program for people age 65 or older, who are citizens or have been permanent legal residents of the United States for at least five years. Certain people younger than age 65 can qualify for Medicare, too, including those with disabilities, and those who have permanent kidney failure.

If you’re eligible at age 65, your initial enrollment period begins three months before your 65th birthday, includes the month you turn age 65, and ends three months after that birthday.

If you don’t enroll in Medicare during your initial enrollment period, you can also enroll during the Medicare annual enrollment period, from October 15 through December 7.

Original Medicare provides very basic coverage for hospital and medical expenses but no coverage for deductibles, coinsurance or most prescription drugs.

With Medicare Advantage, you’re partnering with a private insurer, like Humana, whose resources are there to help you. While Medicare Advantage provides the same coverage as Original Medicare, Medicare Advantage plans often also include predictable copayments, lower or no deductibles, Part D prescription drug coverage, out-of-pocket limits for financial protection, and low or even zero monthly plan premiums.

Some of these plans offer additional features designed to meet members’ needs, such as dental, hearing and vision coverage, a nurse advice line available 24 hours a day/7 days a week and fitness programs.
The best way to find out more about Humana’s Medicare Advantage plans is by calling us at 1-800-
792-7485 5 a.m. till 8 p.m. Monday through Friday. We can arrange for one of our local licensed Humana
sales agents to meet with you. You can also visit Humana.com/Medicare to view our plan options for
2018.

You can also call 1-800-MEDICARE 24 hours a day, seven days a week, or go online to medicare.gov for 2018 Medicare plan information.

This information is not a complete description of benefits. Contact the plan for more information. Limitations, copayments and restrictions may apply. Benefits, premium and member cost share may change on January 1 each year.