Stay Informed and Save: Tips for a Successful Medicare and Drug Plan Open Enrollment Season

November 22, 2023

For the 66 million Americans enrolled in Medicare, the changing color of foliage in autumn doesn’t just announce the impending arrival of winter. It also heralds the arrival of the Medicare and Drug Plan Open Enrollment season.

The six-week season runs between Oct. 15 and Dec. 7 each year and is the time for Medicare enrollees to evaluate their coverage and make changes where necessary in preparation for the coming year. Making good use of the season is the best way to ensure your Medicare and drug plan matches your healthcare needs.


Unfortunately, wading through the intricacies of the Medicare plan can be challenging. That’s why we’ve put together this post for you. We’ll discuss important tips to save you money and headaches over the next year.


Understand What You Can and Can’t Change


During the open enrollment season, you can switch to a Medicare Advantage (MA) plan if you are on Original Medicare (and vice versa).

You can also switch from your current MA plan to a different one. For example, some people switch from an MA plan without prescription drug coverage to one with the coverage.


This window is also the time to join, leave, or switch to a Medicare Part D prescription drug plan or a new private insurer.

However, switching from an MA plan to Original Medicare may not be practical. 


Evaluate Any Changes to Your Current Plan


One of the first things you should do before or during the Medicare and Drug Plan Open Enrollment season is to find out what has changed with your existing coverage.


Most plans send an Annual Notice of Change (ANOC) around September.


When reviewing the changes, pay more attention to:


  • The list of drugs your plan will cover in the coming year
  • How much the drugs will cost
  • Your premium for the coming year
  • The percentage the plan will cover for various medical expenses you may incur


Check with Your Doctors to See What Plans They Will Accept in the Coming Year


Talk with your doctors to confirm that they will accept your existing plan in the new year. If they are dropping your plan, you need to check those they support to see if they are affordable for you and if you can switch to them.


If you’re on Part A or B Original Medicare, your doctors will likely support the plan. However, it’s still a good idea to check. You need to pay a premium for Part B Original Medicare, but it still doesn’t cover everything.


If you have a Medicare Advantage plan, you should check with your physicians to ensure they are still in your plan’s network. If they are no longer on the network, you need to find out which one they now belong to. Going out of network while on an MA plan is generally very expensive.


Compare Your Existing Plan with Your Health Needs


The best way to make the most of the Medicare and Drug Plan Open Enrollment season is to compare the existing plan to your current health needs. You also need to consider any future healthcare needs you’re aware of right now. For instance, if you have a renal disease, what happens in the event of kidney failure?


If you’ve received a recent diagnosis and the existing plan will no longer cover your medications, you may need to switch to a new one. When exploring Medicare plans to switch to during the enrollment season, be sure to check the following:


  • Coverage for prescription drugs. Medicare drug coverage will vary depending on your plan. Check out the plan’s provisions on what drugs are eligible. Are there any differences between generic and brand-name drugs?


  • Travel coverage. If you intend to travel abroad next year, you should confirm that your plan will provide coverage if you need health services. Original Medicare will not cover overseas treatment. You may need to take on supplemental insurance in this scenario.


  • Out-of-pocket costs. For any plans you’re considering, check the premiums, deductibles, copayments, and other payments not covered by Medicare.


Use Open Enrollment Resources


Whether you’re considering retaining your existing plan or thinking about switching to a new one, use the resources available to find the most cost-effective option. The State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) provides free counseling to all Medicare recipients.

The Senior Resource Center also provides guidance to Medicare enrollees looking to take advantage of the season.


Avoid Medicare Scams


Licensed or illegal Medicare agents publish numerous ads around this season. Avoid them. You should be wary of any Medicare personnel making unsolicited contact via call or text. 


You don’t want to fall for any scams that will leave you out of pocket or tie you to a health insurance program you don’t need.


Start Your Medicare and Drug Plan Open Enrollment Season Early


It’s easy to procrastinate when it comes to taking advantage of the open enrollment season. However, starting early allows you ample time to evaluate your options. Failure to take advantage of the window could mean waiting another year while enrolled in a suboptimal plan.


According to KFF, too many people fail to take advantage of the open enrollment. In 2020, only three in ten Medicare program enrollees reported comparing their current coverage with other plans before making a decision.


Make the Right Choice This Medicare and Drug Plan Open Enrollment Season 


With another Medicare and Drug Plan Open Enrollment season upon us, it’s another opportunity to ensure you have a cost-effective healthcare plan. Your choices within this window can have far-reaching effects on your healthcare and finances.Any mistakes may lead to a significant hole in your retirement plan.


At Senior Resource Center, we understand that finding the right coverage might feel overwhelming. Also, accepting assistance from insurers may feel like receiving a Trojan horse. Therefore, we offer consultation services and also provide the guidance you need to navigate the Medicare landscape.


Call Senior Resource Center in Austin, TX, at (512) 835-0963 to schedule a consultation today.

Social Security Updates: What You Need to Know in 2025

By Tara Kendrick • March 21, 2025
Social Security Updates: What You Need to Know in 2025 The Social Security Administration (SSA) is implementing significant changes to its security protocols and service delivery methods in 2025. These updates will affect how beneficiaries interact with the agency and manage their accounts. Here's what you need to know: Your Social Security Online Account Is Now Essential Since 2012, the SSA's online account system has evolved into an indispensable tool for anyone who works or plans to collect Social Security benefits. Under new anti-fraud measures, certain actions can only be completed through your personal online account: Applying for benefits Changing direct deposit information Accessing benefit verification letters Checking earnings records Downloading benefit statements and 1099s Without an online account, you'll need to verify your identity in person at a field office, which now requires an appointment and potentially long wait times. Enhanced Security Measures The SSA has strengthened its identity verification procedures to combat fraud: Login.gov is now the primary authentication method (replacing the previous username/password system) Two-factor authentication is required for all accounts Photo ID verification is mandatory for account setup Direct deposit changes will now process in one business day (previously 30 days for online changes) These new security protocols take full effect on March 31, 2025. Benefits of Your Social Security Account Your online account provides valuable planning tools: 1. **Retirement Estimator**: Calculate benefits based on different retirement scenarios 2. **Earnings Record Access**: View your complete earnings history to check for errors 3. **Benefit Verification**: Download official letters confirming your benefit amount for loans or other purposes 4. **Tax Documents**: Access your SSA-1099 forms going back to 2019 Setting Up Your Account The SSA now uses Login.gov for account creation and management. To set up your account: 1. Visit ssa.gov/myaccount 2. Use a supported browser (Chrome, Edge, or Safari) 3. Enter your email and verify it 4. Create a strong password 5. Set up two-factor authentication (options include text message codes, authentication apps, or security keys) 6. Upload a photo of your driver's license or passport Service Delivery Changes Under pressure from cost-cutting initiatives, the SSA is considering significant changes to its service model: Possible reduction in telephone services for claims processing Greater emphasis on online self-service Limited availability of in-person appointments Staffing changes affecting agency expertise, as many experienced employees approach retirement Why This Matters These changes reflect the SSA's dual focus on enhancing security and modernizing service delivery. While the new protocols will help prevent fraud, they may create challenges for those who are less comfortable with digital technology or lack internet access. Financial advisors are encouraging clients of all ages to set up their Social Security accounts now, before they need to access benefits. This proactive approach ensures you'll have secure, convenient access to your information when you need it most. As these changes continue to roll out through 2025, staying informed about SSA requirements will be crucial for anyone planning for retirement or currently receiving benefits.

Smart Retirement Planning: Featured Insight

By Tara Kendrick • January 30, 2025
How Fixed Indexed Annuities Can Enhance Your Retirement Income Strategy In today's retirement landscape, creating a reliable income stream while managing Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) has become increasingly complex. Fixed indexed annuities (FIAs) with income riders have emerged as a powerful tool to address these challenges, offering retirees a unique combination of growth potential and guaranteed income. Understanding Fixed Indexed Annuities with Income Riders Fixed indexed annuities are insurance contracts that provide returns based on the performance of a market index, such as the S&P 500, while protecting your principal from market downturns. When enhanced with income riders, these products offer additional guaranteed lifetime income benefits that can significantly boost your retirement income strategy. Key Benefits for Retirement Planning Guaranteed Income for Life The income rider attached to your FIA provides a guaranteed stream of income that you cannot outlive. This feature acts as a personal pension, creating a reliable foundation for your retirement income strategy. Unlike traditional investments, this income is guaranteed regardless of market performance. Protection Against Market Volatility While your money has the potential to grow based on market index performance, your principal is protected from market losses. This combination of growth potential and downside protection becomes increasingly valuable as you approach and enter retirement. Efficient RMD Management For retirees aged 73 and older, FIAs offer an efficient way to manage Required Minimum Distributions. The guaranteed income from your annuity can be structured to satisfy RMD requirements, simplifying your retirement income planning. This approach can help you: - Meet IRS distribution requirements systematically - Maintain a predictable income stream - Reduce the complexity of calculating annual RMDs Tax-Efficient Growth The earnings in your FIA grow tax-deferred until withdrawal, potentially allowing for more efficient long-term growth compared to taxable investments. This tax-deferred growth can be particularly valuable in high-tax brackets. Strategic Implementation in Retirement Planning Creating Income Layers Consider using an FIA with an income rider as part of a layered retirement income strategy: 1. Social Security as your base income 2. FIA guaranteed income as your second layer 3. Other investments for additional growth and flexibility Timing Your Purchase The optimal time to purchase an FIA with an income rider often depends on your retirement timeline and income needs. Many financial professionals recommend considering these products 5-10 years before retirement to maximize the benefits of any roll-up periods offered by the income rider. Conclusion Fixed indexed annuities with income riders represent a powerful tool for retirement income planning, particularly for those seeking guaranteed income while managing RMD requirements. By combining principal protection, growth potential, and guaranteed lifetime income, these products can help create a more secure and efficient retirement income strategy. Remember that while FIAs can be valuable retirement planning tools, they should be part of a comprehensive strategy tailored to your specific needs and circumstances. Consulting with a qualified financial professional can help you determine if an FIA with an income rider aligns with your retirement goals and objectives.

Breaking News: New Federal Changes in Social Security - Ending the WEP and Government Offset for Teachers

By Tara Kendrick • January 16, 2025
In a major win for educators and public service workers, recent federal changes have ended two long-standing provisions that have disproportionately affected teachers and other public employees not participating in Social Security. These changes eliminate the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and the Government Pension Offset (GPO), marking a monumental shift in how Social Security benefits are calculated for millions of public sector employees. Let’s take a closer look at these changes, their impact, and what it means for teachers and other workers who’ve been affected by these provisions for decades. What is the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP)? For many years, Social Security benefits were calculated based on the average earnings of an individual over their lifetime, using a formula designed to replace a percentage of pre-retirement earnings. However, workers who had earned pensions through government jobs (such as teachers, police officers, and other public service workers) were often penalized by the WEP. The WEP reduced the Social Security benefits of individuals who also had pensions from jobs that did not contribute to Social Security, creating a "windfall" reduction. Essentially, the WEP was designed to prevent public employees from receiving a larger Social Security benefit than they had earned from their private-sector employment. Unfortunately, this led to reduced benefits for many teachers who had worked in both the private and public sectors, despite their long contributions to the workforce. What is the Government Pension Offset (GPO)? The GPO, another provision that has affected teachers, police officers, and public workers, impacted their spousal and survivor benefits. If a public employee who did not pay into Social Security through their government job was married to someone who did, the GPO reduced the spouse’s Social Security benefits. This was particularly frustrating because it penalized spouses who were often not involved in the public sector but were impacted by the worker’s pension status. Both the WEP and GPO led to unfair reductions in benefits for hardworking public servants, including teachers, who spent years teaching and making a difference in their communities. For many, these provisions resulted in significantly lower Social Security benefits than they would have received otherwise. What’s Changed? The new federal changes that eliminate the WEP and GPO represent a massive shift toward equity for public sector employees, especially teachers, who were unjustly penalized for their service. These new changes will have the following impacts: 1. **Full Social Security Benefits** : Teachers who worked in government jobs and did not contribute to Social Security will now receive the full Social Security benefits they’ve earned through any private-sector work. The WEP penalty, which reduced these benefits, has been completely phased out. 2. **Fairer Spousal Benefits** : Spouses of public employees who didn’t pay into Social Security will no longer see their survivor or spousal benefits reduced under the GPO. This allows families to keep the benefits they deserve without being penalized for one spouse’s public-sector work. 3. **Increased Retirement Security** : Teachers and other public workers who were denied full Social Security benefits will now see an increase in their future benefits, providing greater financial security in retirement. Why This Matters for Teachers Teachers are often the backbone of our education system, and many of them work tirelessly to provide high-quality education to their students. For years, however, they faced a significant financial penalty through the WEP and GPO. These changes signal a recognition of the value of public education and the need to provide fair and equitable treatment to the people who educate and protect future generations. Not only does this change restore fairness, but it also acknowledges the importance of teaching as a long-term career, one that contributes immensely to society. By ensuring that teachers and other public employees can now access full Social Security benefits, these changes also ensure that educators have a more secure financial future. How Does This Impact Future Retirees? For teachers and public employees who are currently in the workforce, these changes will make a substantial difference in their retirement planning. With the elimination of the WEP and GPO, they can now plan with greater certainty about their future Social Security benefits. This new policy provides a level of financial stability and confidence that many workers have been lacking for decades. If you’re a teacher or public employee who has been impacted by the WEP or GPO in the past, you may want to consult with a financial advisor to better understand how these changes will affect your future benefits. It’s a new chapter for millions of Americans who have been long overdue for fair treatment. Conclusion Ending the Windfall Elimination Provision and Government Pension Offset is a long-overdue change that will bring significant relief to teachers and other public workers who have been unfairly penalized in the past. By ensuring these workers receive full Social Security benefits, the government is finally addressing decades of inequity. This is a win not only for teachers but for all public employees who contribute so much to our communities. For educators, the new rules offer a better path to a secure retirement, with a fairer calculation of their Social Security benefits. With these changes, we can begin to right the wrongs of the past and ensure that those who have dedicated their careers to public service can retire with the dignity and financial security they deserve. If you would like an analysis of your Social Security benefits, call us at 512-835-0963.