• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Home
  • WHO WE ARE
    • About Our Firm
    • Attorney and Staff Profiles
    • News and Events
  • Areas We Serve
    • Essex County, MA
      • Andover
      • North Andover
    • Hillsborough County, NH
      • Manchester
      • Nashua
    • Middlesex County, MA
      • Concord
      • Lexington
      • Wakefield
      • Winchester
      • Woburn
    • Rockingham County, NH
      • Exeter
      • Londonderry
      • Salem
  • Services
    • Asset & Business Planning
    • Elder Law & Medicaid Services
    • Estate And Gift Tax Figures
    • Family-Owned Businesses & Farms
    • Legacy Planning Services
    • LGBTQ Estate Planning
    • Loss Of A Loved One
    • Pet Planning
    • Power Of Attorney
    • Probate and Trust Administration
    • SECURE Act
    • Special Needs Planning
    • Young Families
  • Elder Law
    • Coping with Alzheimer’s
    • Hospice Care
    • Medicaid Planning
    • Nursing Home Planning
  • Resources
    • Elder Law
      • Elder Law & Medicaid Definitions
      • Elder law reports
      • Elder Law Resources
        • Elder Law Resources – Londonderry, New Hampshire
        • Elder Law Resources North Andover, Massachusetts
        • Nashua, New Hampshire Elder Law Resources
        • Woburn, MA Elder Law Resources
    • Estate Planning
      • Estate Planning Articles
      • Estate and Gift Tax Figures
      • Estate Planning Checkup
      • Estate Planning Definitions
      • Estate Planning Reports
        • Advanced Estate Planning
        • Basic Estate Planning
        • Estate Planning for Niches
        • Trust Administration
      • Incapacity Planning Definitions
      • Is Your Estate Plan Outdated?
      • Top 10 Estate and Legacy Planning Techniques
    • Free Estate Planning Worksheet
    • Frequently Asked Questions
      • Asset Protection Planning
      • Business Planning
      • Charitable Gifting
      • Estate Planning
      • Elder Law
      • Frequently Asked Questions for Families Without an Estate Plan
      • Incapacity Planning
      • Legacy Wealth Planning
      • LGBTQ Estate Planning
      • Medicaid Planning
      • Trust Administration & Probate
      • Wills and Trusts
    • Medicaid Calculator
    • Newsletters
    • Pre Consultation Form
    • Presentations
    • Probate and Trust Administration
      • Bereavement Resources
      • How to Know if You Need Extra Help With Your Grieving
      • Loss Of A Loved One
      • Probate Resources
        • Nashua, New Hampshire Probate Resources
        • Probate Resources – Londonderry, New Hampshire
        • Probate Resources – North Andover, MA
        • Probate Resources – Wakefield, Massachusetts
        • Woburn, MA Probate Resources
      • The Mourner’s Bill of Rights
      • Things You Need To Do When a Loved One Passes Away With a Trust
      • Things You Need To Do When a Loved One Passes Away With a Will
      • Trust Administration & Probate Definitions
    • Published Books
  • Seminars
    • Live Seminars
    • Online Seminars
  • Videos
  • Contact Us
  • Blog
  • Reviews
    • Our Reviews
    • Review Us

DeBruyckere Law Offices, PC

Serving Southern New Hampshire & Essex Country, Massachussetts

Call us today(603) 894-4141

(978) 969-0331

Online Seminars
Attend Free Seminar
Home » Retirement » What You Need to Know: Medicare Open Enrollment

What You Need to Know: Medicare Open Enrollment

October 6, 2015Retirement

Photo: Medicare.gov

October marks the beginning of the Medicare Open Enrollment period. In fact, it runs October 15 through December 7 every year. This is a great time to learn more about open enrollment and why it matters.

As you may know, every year, there are changes made to Medicare health and drug plans. These changes might include shifts in coverage, changes in providers and changes to the various costs. The open enrollment period allows those with Medicare to make changes, if they choose, for the upcoming year. Sometimes, a minor change can better serve your needs and other times, a more substantial change is required. Note that one’s current policy may no longer be offered and in those situations, they will have to find another plan.  The best way to accomplish this is by reviewing the material provided by CMS. A few of those documents might include the “Evidence of Coverage” (EOC) and “Annual Notice of Change” (ANOC).

It’s worth noting that you can drop your Medicare Advantage plan in order to switch to the Original Medicare coverage. This disenrollment period occurs between January 1 and February 14 each year.

If you’ve not already received information in the mail, you soon will as it’s a part of the Medicare Open Enrollment process. This information will provide some details associated with any changes with your current coverage. You should also receive a current handbook that will provide information for Medicare plans in your area. Further, there’s a new Medicare Plan Finder site located on the Medicare website. This allows for an easy plan comparison so that you can make the best decisions for your needs. You’ll start with your zip code and will receive all of the available plans. If you wish, you may also log in to the site and provide your specifics for a more customized return. You’ll have to create a user profile in order to gain access, however.

As you’re exploring the plans that are available, you can also find help for paying for your Medicare drug coverage should you need it. Medicare also offers on its website links for individual states and any health insurance assistance programs that are available should you or a loved one need it.

Finally, you’ll discover a host of precautions for guarding your personal information. As we know, fraud is on the rise and seniors are especially vulnerable. Medicare reports that the number of scams or attempted scams rise dramatically during the open enrollment period. It’s wise to have family members explore these precautions so that they can remain vigilant in protecting you.

Of course, you can contact your estate planning lawyer who can help you through any changes you’re anticipating. Many who haven’t received Medicare for very long find it beneficial to speak with someone familiar with the changes and who can ensure your expectations are met. Also, you can visit the Medicare site as well for an abundance of resources. Feel free to give DeBruyckere Law Offices a call at (603) 894-4141 or (978) 969-0331.

  • Author
  • Recent Posts
Daniel DeBruyckere
Daniel DeBruyckere
Attorney Daniel A. DeBruyckere has been practicing law in New Hampshire and Massachusetts since 1998, and has helped hundreds of clients with their estate planning and elder care issues. He is very well respected in the area of estate planning, probate, trust administration, elder law issues, and business planning.
Daniel DeBruyckere
Latest posts by Daniel DeBruyckere (see all)
  • Blended Family Estate Planning - May 19, 2022
  • What You Need to Know about Last-Minute Medicaid Planning - May 17, 2022
  • Understanding Your Life Insurance Options - May 12, 2022

Other Articles You May Find Useful

North Andover estate planning attorney
Should I Take Early Retirement?
North Andover area elder law attorney
How to Handle Two Generations in Retirement
Londonderry retirement planning attorneys
What Happens to My Retirement Account When I Die?
retirees
New Hampshire Ranked 7th Best State for Retirees
Retirement
New Hampshire Ranked #1 Retirement Spot
tips for saving money for retirement
Tips for Saving Money for Retirement

Download our free Estate Planning Worksheet

There's a lot that goes into setting up a comprehensive estate plan, but with our FREE worksheet, you'll be one step closer to getting yourself and your family on the path to a secure and happy future.
  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Follow Us

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Linkdin
  • Youtube

Blog Subscribe

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Testimonials

I felt complete trust and confidence in Dan DeBruyckere and his staff. They have a caring, low-key approach and there is no pressure to add products to the estate plan; rather he makes me aware of changes in the law, etc. I always learn something new to assist me in our planning!

LN

Your seminar was the only seminar we attended without financial advisors wanting to invest our money instead of protecting it! The information this firm provided was easy to understand even though it is a difficult topic. Thank you for all of your help!

HR

We both felt so comfortable in they way our Estate Planning was handled. We felt like someone was watching out for our best interest. Everyone we worked with at the firm was thorough, and explained everything in a way where we could walk away feeling like everything was complete.

RS

A truly great experience all the way through. Felt like we were a part of the family! Thank you.

LW

We could not have picked a more qualified law firm. Everyone that we came in contact with made us feel at ease.

Happy Client

DeBruyckere Law Offices, PC footer

Connect with Us

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Linkdin
  • Youtube
footer-logo

© 2022 DeBruyckere Law Offices
All Right Reseved.

Attorney Advertisement

© 2022 American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys, Inc.