For Immediate Release:

October 23, 2018

Free Help Offered During Medicare’s

Open Enrollment Period

OKLAHOMA CITY – 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. “Not only do the plans change, but your situation may have changed as well. Our trained MAP counselors can take the guesswork out of the process by providing information about all your options, including Medicare Supplemental insurance.”

During the open enrollment period Medicare 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 Jan. 1. Consumers can call MAP at 800-763-2828 to ask questions or schedule an appointment to review their coverage. MAP partners with other agencies to offer this assistance throughout the state. A list of partner agencies is available at oid.ok.gov.

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.

About the Oklahoma Insurance Department

The Oklahoma Insurance Department, an agency of the State of Oklahoma, is responsible for the education and protection of the insurance-buying public and for oversight of the insurance industry in the state.

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For more information, contact:

Kelly Dexter

405-522-0683

Kelly.Dexter@oid.ok.gov