Medicare Open Enrollment 2023 

People eligible for Medicare coverage must understand Medicare open enrollment to get appropriate coverage. At Vanmar Insurance, we are committed to helping you make the most of this critical period to secure comprehensive and affordable health care coverage.  

When Is Medicare Open Enrollment? 

Medicare open enrollment begins on Oct. 15, 2023, and runs through Dec. 7, 2023. This seven-week period is your chance to review, make changes, and enroll in Medicare plans that best suit your health care needs and financial situation for the following year. 

Who Is Open Enrollment for? 

Medicare open enrollment is primarily for current Medicare beneficiaries, which includes those who are already enrolled in Original Medicare (Part A and Part B), Medicare Advantage (Part C), or Medicare Part D (Prescription Drug Coverage). During this period, beneficiaries may be able to do the following: 

• Switch from Original Medicare to Medicare Advantage. Medicare Advantage plans offer another way to receive Medicare benefits through private insurance companies. These plans often include additional benefits, such as dental, vision and prescription drug coverage.

• Switch from Medicare Advantage to Original Medicare. If you are currently enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan and wish to return to Original Medicare, you can do so during Medicare open enrollment.

• Change Medicare Advantage plans. If you are already enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan and wish to switch to a different plan, open enrollment is the time to make that change.

• Enroll in or change prescription drug coverage. If you have Original Medicare and want to add prescription drug coverage or switch to a different Part D plan, you can do so during open enrollment.

• Review and adjust existing coverage. Even if you are satisfied with your current Medicare coverage, it's essential to review it annually during open enrollment.

What Happens if You Miss Open Enrollment? 

Missing the Medicare open enrollment period can significantly affect your health care coverage. If you don't take advantage of this window, you may be unable to make changes to your Medicare plans until the following year's open enrollment period. However, there are some exceptions: 

• Medicare Advantage Disenrollment Period (MADP)—If you are enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan and want to switch back to Original Medicare, you have another opportunity from January 1 to February 14 each year.

• Medicare Special Enrollment Periods (SEPs) —Certain life events, such as moving to a new address, losing or changing other health coverage or qualifying for Extra Help to lower prescription drug costs, may grant you a SEP. During SEPs, you can make changes to your Medicare coverage outside of the regular Open Enrollment period.

Contact Us 

At Vanmar Insurance in Yakima, Washington, our knowledgeable agents are ready to assist you in navigating the complexities of Medicare and finding the right plan to meet your health care needs. 

We do not offer every plan available in your area. Any information we provide is limited to those plans we do offer in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE to get information on all your options.