Do you have to do anything if you want to keep your current Medicare plan?

Asked by: Amelia Dibbert  |  Last update: February 11, 2022
Score: 4.1/5 (31 votes)

If you want to change plans, call the plan you want to join. Medicare can also help you enroll—online, in person, or on the phone. If you're satisfied that your current coverage will meet your needs for next year, you don't need to do anything.

Do I have to do anything if I am not changing my Medicare plan?

If you don't switch to another plan, your current coverage will continue into next year — without any need to inform Medicare or your plan. However, your current plan may have different costs and benefits next year.

What happens if I keep my current Medicare plan?

I Want to Keep My Current Medicare Coverage

It works the same whether you have Original Medicare (Parts A and B), a Medicare Advantage plan (Part C) or a Medicare prescription drug plan (Part D). You simply do nothing and your current coverage choices stay in place for another year.

Will my Medicare plan automatically renew?

Once you find the best plan, you will likely want to be able to keep it. Fortunately, you will be able to stay with your plan as long as you like in most cases. This is called “guarantee renewable.” Medicare Supplement insurance plans renew automatically when you make your premium payment.

Does Medicare coverage roll over?

You don't have to re-enroll in or renew Medicare each year. Your existing plan(s) will roll over automatically and remain in effect as long as you continue paying any necessary premiums.

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Do I have to renew my Medicare Part D every year?

En español | If you like your current Part D drug plan, you can remain with it into the following plan year, which begins Jan. 1. You don't have to reenroll or inform the plan that you're staying. But be aware that all Part D plans can change their costs and coverage every calendar year.

Do I need to renew my Medicare Supplement every year?

Medicare Supplement (Medigap) Plans:

You do not have to do anything annually to renew them, and there is no annual open enrollment period for Medicare Supplement plans. They have the benefit of being “guaranteed renewable”. It will continue indefinitely unless you don't pay the premium.

Do I have to decline Medicare Part B every year?

Once you have signed up to receive Social Security benefits, you can only delay your Part B coverage; you cannot delay your Part A coverage. To delay Part B, you must refuse Part B before your Medicare coverage has started.

What is the deadline for changing Medicare Supplement plans?

You have 30 days to decide if you want to keep the new Medigap policy. This is called your "free look period." The 30-day free look period starts when you get your new Medigap policy.

Can I change my Medicare plan every year?

Typically, you can only enroll in a different Medicare Advantage Plan or switch between Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage during specific times each year. Make sure to enroll in a timely manner to avoid gaps in coverage when using these enrollment periods.

Can I change my Medicare Supplement at any time?

You can change your Medicare Supplement Plan anytime, just be aware that you might have to answer medical questions if your outside your Open Enrollment Period.

Can I change my Medicare Supplement plan?

You can either change to a standardized Medicare Supplement insurance plan with the same or fewer basic benefits than your current plan, or buy any Medicare Supplement Plan A, B, C*, F*, K, or L. You've had your current Medicare Supplement insurance plan for less than six months.

What happens if I don't do anything during open enrollment?

If you miss your employer's open enrollment deadline, you could lose coverage for you and your loved ones, and you could be subject to a fine imposed by the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Missing this deadline also means that you could be unable to make changes or enroll in benefits until the next open enrollment period.

What happens if you do nothing during open enrollment?

If you do nothing during the Medicare Open Enrollment period, your coverage under traditional Medicare will continue next year.

Can you change Medicare Supplement plans mid year?

You can change Medicare supplement plans at any time of year – but in most states you will have to pass medical underwriting to do so. ... During this time, you can freely change your Medicare Part D drug plan and/or your Medicare Advantage plan.

Can I change Medicare Supplement plans without underwriting?

During your Medigap Open Enrollment Period, you can sign up for or change Medigap plans without going through medical underwriting. This means that insurance companies cannot deny you coverage or charge you more for a policy based on your health or pre-existing conditions.

What happens to my Medicare Supplement if I move to another state?

In many cases, you can stay with your current Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plan even if you're moving out of state as long as you stay enrolled in Original Medicare. Medigap benefits can be used to cover costs from any provider that accepts Medicare, regardless of the state.

What happens if I don't want Medicare Part B?

If you didn't get Part B when you're first eligible, your monthly premium may go up 10% for each 12-month period you could've had Part B, but didn't sign up. In most cases, you'll have to pay this penalty each time you pay your premiums, for as long as you have Part B.

Can I opt out of Medicare Part B?

A. Yes, you can opt out of Part B. (But make sure that your new employer insurance is “primary” to Medicare. ... Medicare insists on an interview to make sure you know the consequences of dropping out of Part B—for example, that you might have to pay a late penalty if you want to re-enroll in the program in the future.

Is it mandatory to have Medicare Part B?

Part B is optional. Part B helps pay for covered medical services and items when they are medically necessary. Part B also covers some preventive services like exams, lab tests, and screening shots to help prevent, find, or manage a medical problem. Cost: If you have Part B, you pay a Part B premium each month.

Does Medicare ever expire?

As long as you continue paying the required premiums, your Medicare coverage (and your Medicare card) should automatically renew every year. But there are some exceptions, so it's always a good idea to review your coverage every year to make sure it still meets your needs.

Do I need Medicare Part D if I don't take any drugs?

No. Medicare Part D Drug Plans are not required coverage. Whether you take drugs or not, you do not need Medicare Part D. But that doesn't mean you should skip getting a drug plan.

Do I need to cancel my old Part D plan?

note: You don't need to cancel your old Medicare drug plan. Your old Medicare drug plan coverage will end when your new drug plan begins. ... You should get a letter from your new Medicare drug plan telling you when your coverage begins.

Is Medicare automatically deducted from Social Security?

Yes. In fact, if you are signed up for both Social Security and Medicare Part B — the portion of Medicare that provides standard health insurance — the Social Security Administration will automatically deduct the premium from your monthly benefit.

What happens if I miss the December 15th deadline?

If you miss that deadline, make sure to verify your info before open enrollment ends. From the start of open enrollment to December 15th each year, you can enroll, switch plans, and verify cost assistance. If you miss that deadline, you won't have a plan that starts by January 1st.