OEP is from January 1, 2020 - March 1, 2020. It allows you a one- time Medicare Advantage Change or Prescription Drug Plan.
You are eligible for Medicare if you’re 65 of older, or under 65 with certain disabilities. You may also qualify for Medicare, regardless of age, if you have end-stage renal disease requiring dialysis or a kidney transplant, or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease).
Medicare overview
Medicare beneficiaries can generally get their health coverage in two ways: through Original Medicare, or through a private Medicare Advantage plan.
Original Medicare comes in two parts:
• Medicare Part A (hospital insurance): This covers inpatient hospital, skilled nursing facility, hospice, and home health care.
• Medicare Part B (medical insurance): This covers outpatient medical care, including (but not limited to) doctor visits, durable medical equipment, lab tests, and preventive services.
Certain types of Medicare coverage are only available through private insurance companies.
• Medicare Part C (Medicare Advantage): Medicare Advantage plans provide Original Medicare benefits through private insurance companies. There are many types of Medicare Advantage plans, such as Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) plans and Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) plans. In addition to what’s covered under Original Medicare, some plans offer other benefits, such as routine dental and vision, transportation, gym membership, over the counter drugs benefits, eyeglass allowance, health wellness programs, and prescription drug coverage and much more.
• Medicare Part D (prescription drug coverage): Original Medicare doesn’t include prescription drug, benefits, except in certain situations. You can sign up for prescription drug coverage through a separate Medicare Prescription drug plan, or through a Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug plan.
• Medicare Supplement (Medigap): Medigap helps pay for out-of-pocket costs not covered in Original Medicare, such as co-payments, co-insurance, deductibles, and overseas health coverage. These plans can only be used for Original Medicare and cannot be used with a Medicare Advantage plan.
