Answering your Medicare questions with Phil Moeller

By the end of September, your current Medicare insurer(s) should have sent you details of any major plan changes for 2024, including costs and coverage terms. This document, called the Annual Notice of Change (ANOC), is usually provided online, but you have the right to ask for a paper copy.

According to survey respondents, access to in-network hospitals and doctors is the most important aspect in choosing a health plan. And your ANOC should alert you to important changes here. I recommend that you call your preferred doctors to confirm they will be in your plan next year. At the same time, ask them what other Medicare Advantage (MA) plans they will be working with, so you know you can keep seeing them if you decide to switch plans.

The availability and costs of prescription drugs are also a consideration for Medicare shoppers. Again, important changes to your prescription drug coverage — including what drugs are on your plan’s covered drug list (called a formulary) — should be explained in your ANOC. And it’s never a bad idea to call your insurer to confirm.

If you haven’t already done so, create a personalized My Medicare account, which should show your current Medicare plans. You can also input your medications, which will help you be a savvy shopper during annual enrollment. 

Starting Oct. 1, all 2024 plan details should be posted at Medicare’s online plan comparison website. Wait until they are posted before doing any serious comparison shopping. There’s no reward for choosing new plans right away, so waiting until early November has always made sense to me. But — do what feels right for you.

On this website, you can compare 2024 plans available where you live, with search results outlining variables, such as premiums, projected drug spend, out-of-pocket costs and added plan benefits.

When shopping, keep in mind that the out-of-pocket costs of all Part D prescription drugs will be capped next year under a provision of the Inflation Reduction Act. The Kaiser Family Foundation projects the IRA will cap out-of-pocket drug costs at $3,250 in 2024 for people with the highest Part D spending. Its analysis also reviews the complexities of different stages of Part D coverage, should you need a refresher.

While low or $0 plan premiums are enticing, it’s always important to compare plans based on potential out-of-pocket costs. Variables like deductibles, copays, coinsurance and out-of-pocket maximum have always been key factors for me in choosing a plan, and you should determine what matters most to you.

The USA TODAY poll found that for about 22% of those on Medicare, “extra benefits” are the most important factor in selecting a plan. Many people are surprised to find that Original Medicare doesn’t typically cover services such as dental and vision, but many Medicare Advantage plans do. Or, if you are interested in added wellness offerings, such as a free gym membership, or things like over-the-counter credits or healthy food benefits, check to see what plans offer these extras. 

Confusion about how to choose a plan and what to look for can make keeping your current plans seem like the safe choice. I get it, but my personal experience has convinced me to be an active shopper.

Consider this: I almost kept my existing Part D plan a few years ago, only to learn — and not until early December — that it would no longer be covering an expensive drug I needed to take. I barely escaped a $20,000 mistake and urge you not to risk doing the same thing.

There is help for you in making the best of annual enrollment. The State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) provides free Medicare help from trained counselors in every state. Medicare Made Clear, maintained by UnitedHealthcare, provides solid resources. So does Medicare, which has greatly improved its consumer assistance tools in recent years.

When it comes to getting your questions answered, take advantage of these resources to help you choose your Medicare coverage for 2024 with confidence.