Congress must address Medicare needs
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Over 18 million seniors just picked a
That didn't used to be the case. Up until a few years ago, seniors had an opportunity to switch plans in the first weeks of the new year if their budgets or health circumstances changed.
Seniors select their
But as of
This wasn't always the case for seniors. During a 90-day "open enrollment period" following
The Affordable Care Act eliminated this open enrollment period. Instead, the law offers a poor substitute - an "annual disenrollment period." For the first six weeks of the year, seniors can exit their
This lack of flexibility can have real negative consequences for seniors. For instance, some seniors might not realize the benefits and providers covered by their
Others may be unaware another Advantage plan has lower premiums and deductibles, or more valuable benefits, until a friend informs them of other options.
Before the Affordable Care Act eliminated the open enrollment period, seniors who enrolled in a plan for
Low-income seniors have been hit particularly hard. Without the open enrollment backstop, many find themselves stuck in a
Fortunately,
Credit: By Janet Trautwein For the
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