Counselors with the Oklahoma Insurance Department’s Medicare Assistance Program (MAP) can help beneficiaries review their plans for 2019.

Medicare health and drug plans can be changed every year. There are 28 individual prescription drug plans and, depending on where you live, 30 different Medicare Advantage plans available in Oklahoma for 2019. People with Medicare can switch to plans that better meet their needs between now and Dec. 7.

“Even if you’re happy with your current plan, it’s a good idea to review your options,” said Oklahoma Insurance Commissioner John D. Doak.  During the open enrollment period, beneficiaries can:

• Switch to an Advantage Plan (Part C) from original Medicare (Part A hospital coverage and Part B outpatient coverage)
• Switch to original Medicare from an Advantage Plan
• Move from one Advantage Plan to another
• Move from one prescription drug plan (Part D) to another or purchase one for the first time

Any changes made during Medicare Open Enrollment will go into effect on January 1.  Consumers can call MAP at 800-763-2828 to ask questions or schedule an appointment to review their coverage.

Beginning in 2019, CMS will bring back the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period, which will run from Jan. 1 through March 31. During that time beneficiaries who are enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan can switch from one Medicare Advantage plan to another or switch from a Medicare Advantage Plan to Original Medicare and enroll in a prescription drug plan.