Medicare’s Open Enrollment started Sunday, October 15 and runs through December 7. This is an important time to review any changes to your coverage in 2024 and look at your options to see if another plan or returning to Original Medicare is a better choice for you.
One tool that can help in deciding whether or not to enroll in a certain plan, is to use Medicare’s Star Ratings for this year’s Medicare Advantage and Part D plans. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) recently released the star ratings for the 2024 plans, which you can see along with cost and coverage information on the Plan Finder tool at Medicare.gov. Each plan will show its 2024 rating, and you can also filter your search for only plans with a 3+ or 4+ star ratings.
Approximately 74% of beneficiaries currently in Medicare Advantage plans that offer prescription drug coverage are enrolled in a plan that earned four or more stars in 2024. And, approximately 42% of Medicare Advantage plans that offer prescription drug coverage will have an overall rating of four stars or higher in 2024. This is down from 51% of plans in 2023.
If you have questions and/or would like assistance in assessing your best coverage options to meet your needs for 2024, contact your local Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program (HICAP). HICAP provides free, individual and unbiased assistance on Medicare and other health insurance related issues. HICAP is available in every county and your local HICAP will have your county-specific plan information.
Also, beware of misleading marketing materials and enrollment scams. Review our recent article and our novella that share what Medicare health plans and their agents CANNOT do in their plan marketing and provide savvy tips on how to protect yourself from enrollment fraud. The novella is available in English and Spanish.
If you come across any plans/agents engaged in potential enrollment fraud, deceptive marketing or marketing violations, report them to our California Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) at 1-855-613-7080. We’ve got your back!
