Davids Hosts Facebook Live to Discuss Current Medicare Open Enrollment Period
Today, Representative Sharice Davids hosted a Facebook Live conversation with local Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) health care specialists. The group shared information on how Kansans can sign up or review their Medicare health and prescription drug plan during the Open Enrollment Period. Medicare Open Enrollment began on October 15 and runs until December 7.
"Over the past few years, I've worked hard to lower health care costs and make care more accessible for all Kansans," said Davids. "Now, thanks to recent legislation I supported, Kansas seniors can receive low-cost, comprehensive health care coverage with more affordable prescription drugs. I encourage all Kansans who are looking to sign up or renew their Medicare plan to visit Medicare.gov before December 7th to find a plan that works best for their family."
Rep. Sharice Davids hosts a webinar on navigating the Medicare Open Enrollment period.
Davids previously released a report on the new health insurance savings Kansans can soon utilize thanks to recent federal actions, including the new health care law that passed in August. The law, known as the Inflation Reduction Act, will lower prescription drug prices for Medicare beneficiaries by allowing Medicare to negotiate prices with drug manufacturers directly. The bill also creates a yearly cap of $2,000 on out-of-pocket prescription drug costs for Medicare beneficiaries and caps monthly insulin costs at $35 for one month's supply.
Background:
Kansans can join, switch, or drop a Medicare Health Plan or a Medicare Advantage Plan (Part C) with or without drug coverage until December 7, 2022 at Medicare.gov. Coverage will begin on January 1, 2023. CMS encourages all people with Medicare to review their plan options because the cost and coverage provided by a Medicare prescription drug plan and/or health plan can change, as can a person's health status.
Marketplace Open Enrollment, which is separate from Medicare, began November 1, 2022 and runs until January 15, 2023 on HealthCare.gov. Anyone who enrolls by midnight December 15, 2022 can get full-year coverage beginning January 1, 2023. For those who sign up between December 16, 2022 and midnight January 15, 2023, coverage will begin on February 1, 2023. Those who do not have prescription drug coverage can also enroll in a drug plan during the Open Enrollment Period.
All consumers shopping for health insurance coverage on HealthCare.gov — even those who currently have coverage through the Marketplace — should enroll or re-enroll by logging in to HealthCare.gov and CuidadodeSalud.gov or call 1-800-318-2596 to fill out an application. To find local help from a Navigator or certified application counselor, consumers can visit the HealthCare.gov or Senior Health Insurance Counseling For Kansas (SHICK) websites.