Laredo, TX Medicare open enrollment occurs every October 15th through December 7th. It is during this time that those who are eligible for Medicare can sign up, add to, or switch their Medicare Plan. When you sign up during the enrollment period, your insurance benefits will kick in for the following year. For instance, for those who signed up for Medicare in 2020, their benefits were available as of January 2021.
When you call Golden Plan Choice, we can help you look for a Medicare plan that fits your criteria, sign you up, and manage your Medicare plan. We offer insurance agents that specialize in Medicare. They can take the information you gave them and present you with options that fit your needs. You do not have to stress over what plans are cheaper and give you the most benefits. Insurance can be confusing enough as it is. There is no need to stress over it and make the best decision within the time period given.
At Golden Plan Choice, we have already done the research for you, and we know how to help you. Give us a call so we can help prepare you for the Laredo, TX Medicare open enrollment period.
Laredo, TX Medicare Open Enrollment
If you are turning sixty-five soon, be sure to check your mail. You could be getting a notification stating that you are enrolled in a Medicare plan. If you are eligible, you will get a notice from the Annual Notice of Changes stating what your coverage is, what the costs are, and what your service area is.
You will be sent information about many insurance companies telling you what they can do for you and your Medicare plan. It is important to know that anyone calling, emailing, or texting you about your Medicare plan and asking for your Medicare number is scamming you. Therefore, if you want information on plans, how to sign up, or changes you need to make to your plan, be sure to call your insurance company.
If you sign up for Medicare with Golden Plan Choice, we will ensure that your information stays safe, and you will only ever get official information through us about your plan.
Late Enrollment Period
The Late Enrollment Period (LEP) for Medicare is a time when people who have not previously enrolled in Medicare can do so without having to pay the penalty. The LEP begins three months after a person becomes eligible for Medicare and lasts for about three months. During this time, people can enroll in Medicare Part A (hospital insurance) and/or Medicare Part B (medical insurance).
There are a few stipulations for this period, including that you must be 65 years of age or older, you must be a U.S. citizen or legal resident, and you must not have any other form of health insurance. There are also stipulations for each plan, such as Part A, B, and D. If you meet these criteria, you can enroll in Medicare during the late enrollment period.
There are special enrollment qualifications to avoid a late fee. However, this is only available to certain people who meet the criteria for special enrollment. Give us a call to find out more information.
Special late Enrollment for Medicare
If you’re not automatically enrolled, you may be able to sign up for Medicare during the Special Enrollment Period (SEP). The SEP is a period of time when you can sign up for Medicare without having to pay a late enrollment penalty.
An example of this would be if you are already on a group health plan or you are under a family member’s group plan because of a disability. You may be able to qualify for the Special Enrolment Period when the following happens:
- The date your employment ends
- The date your employment-based health coverage ends
Avoid Medicare Scams During Open Enrollment
As previously mentioned above, we stated that people might try to scam you during your open enrollment period or around the time you turn sixty-five. Unfortunately, Medicare scams are becoming more common, with criminals trying to take advantage of unsuspecting seniors.
There are a few things you can do to protect yourself from Medicare scams, including being aware of the most common types of scams and knowing how to spot them. You can also report any suspicious activity to the proper authorities. By taking these precautions, you can help keep yourself safe from Medicare scams.
First, you should never give out your personal information. Second, only speak with trusted official insurance agents about your personal Medicare plan. Thirdly, be sure to inform the proper authorities about the scam.
There are two ways you can report an insurance scam. You can either go to The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services – Office of the Inspector General, or you can call 1-800-Medicare.
When you do report this information, you will need to have some information ready. First, they will want your name and Medicare Number. Then you will want the name of the scammer you are reporting and any information you may have on them to identify them if you can get it. This could be a phone number, website address, name, etc. Be sure to report the service or item they were trying to sell you. Additionally, you will need to give them the day you got it. If the scammer claimed that Medicare paid or approved something, report the amount that was given. Finally, give the date on the notice or claim you received.
Furthermore, you want to safeguard your Medicare information. Your Medicare card is as important as your credit card. Be aware of how Medicare contacts you and how they use your information. If there is anything out of the ordinary, be sure to contact the proper authorities about it.
When you contact Golden Plan Choice for your Medicare plan, you can be sure your information will be safe with us. You may speak to us about any concerns you may have about how your information should be sued, who needs to have it, and whom you should avoid giving it to. We want to make sure all our customers’ information is secure and safe.
Identity theft is a serious problem here in the United States. We aim to do our best to keep your information from falling into the wrong hands. If you have concerns about scammers or have any other questions about Laredo, TX Medicare open enrollment, give Golden Plan Choice a call now.
Fun Facts for Laredo, TX
- Casa Ortiz is the oldest home in the state of Texas that is still used today.
- Supposedly, there is gold buried somewhere on the property.
- Laredo used to be known as the Republic of the Rio Grande.