What to know about Medicare for 2024, which starts Oct. 15

Medicare’s fall open enrollment, which runs Oct. 15 through Dec. 7, is an opportunity to review your benefits and make changes for 2024.

Signing up for Medicare or changing plans can seem daunting, but it’s important to make sure you’re enrolled in the best plan for your medical needs.

To help make the process easier, The Inquirer has curated a Medicare primer based on questions sent in by readers. Now updated for 2024, it can help you select the best Medicare plan for you.

A time to review your Medicare coverage — whether you have original Medicare with prescription and supplement plans, or Medicare Advantage. During the fall enrollment period, you can sign up for new coverage or change your plan. You can switch from original Medicare to Medicare Advantage (or vice versa), add a prescription drug or supplement plan to original Medicare coverage, or choose a new Medicare Advantage plan.

Yes. Plans may change slightly from one year to the next, so it is important to review your coverage, even if you’re happy with it. For instance, the list of prescription medications covered by Medicare Advantage and Part D plans changes every year. Your preferred medication may no longer be covered or the cost may have changed. Also, consider how your health needs have changed: Did you start taking a new medication? Will you be traveling more? Be sure that your current plan is still the best fit.

Original Medicare is managed by the federal government and offers coverage for hospital services (Part A) and outpatient services, such as primary care doctors, specialists, and routine care (Part B).

Medicare Advantage plans are run by private insurance companies approved by the federal government. These managed-care plans must cover all the same benefits as original Medicare, though you’ll be limited to their provider networks. They may offer extras, such as dental, vision, or hearing services.

Medicare Advantage plans also typically cover prescription medications. People who opt for original Medicare can buy supplemental plans to help cover more health care costs or a Part D drug plan for medications.

It depends on your medical needs and financial resources.

Original Medicare is accepted by most doctors, which could be important if you need care while traveling out of state. Similar to many employer-based insurance plans, Medicare Advantage plans have provider networks. If you go to an out-of-network doctor or hospital, the visit may not be covered or may cost more.

Use Medicare’s online Plan Finder tool to decide which plan best meets your needs.

It depends. Your total out-of-pocket expense will depend on how the plan you choose covers the services you use most. Both types of plans have a premium for Part B (doctor’s services) — about $165 a month for most people in 2023, as well as a deductible, which was $226 in 2023. CMS had not released premium and deductible amounts for 2024 at the time of publication.

Original Medicare beneficiaries pay 20% of the Medicare-approved rate for most doctor services after meeting their deductible. Supplemental plans can help cover some of these extra expenses for original Medicare members.

Copays, coinsurance, and deductibles will vary for Medicare Advantage plans, which may charge additional premiums for its prescription drug coverage and extra services.

Always ask before making an appointment, but most doctors accept original Medicare.

Medicare Advantage plans have more limited provider networks. Call your plan to ask for a list of in-network providers. Or ask whether a doctor you already see is in network.

You can switch doctors at any time, but make sure your new doctor is covered by your plan to avoid unexpected bills.

Yes. People who meet income and asset qualifications may be eligible for one of Medicare’s financial assistance programs.

The National Council on Aging has a website called BenefitsCheckUp to help people research these options.

Pick a plan to address the coverage gaps that concern you the most. Supplemental coverage is for people with original Medicare; it cannot be used to cover Medicare Advantage out-of-pocket expenses.

Supplemental coverage, also called Medigap, covers “gaps” in original Medicare plans, such as health expenses while traveling abroad, excess charges, or copays. It is sold by private insurance companies. Look for a letter system to assemble your benefits package; plans with the same letter offer the same coverage.

Be aware that prices can vary widely between companies, even for the same coverage.

Make sure it covers the drugs you need.

Most people focus on the monthly cost, known as the plan premium. But a plan with a low premium could end up costing more than another with a pricier premium if it does not cover your specific medications. Also review cost-sharing details — how much you will pay versus how much the plan will pay — and whether you will be required to fill prescriptions at select pharmacies. Medicare’s Plan Finder allows you to search based on the medications that you need.

Don’t be surprised if you need advice. The options can get complicated and scams abound during enrollment season.

Every state has an agency offering free Medicare help. These impartial programs do not offer legal advice, endorse plans, or sell insurance.

Find licensed brokers using the online database maintained by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners. The National Association of Benefits and Insurance Professionals also has an online database to find agents.

Independent brokers must be licensed by the state and follow strict rules about selling private Medicare plans (Medigap, drug, and Advantage plans). Search for a broker who lives in your community, rather than several states away, if you wish to meet in person.

You could face penalties.

Most people qualify for Medicare at 65. There’s a seven-month period to sign up — your birth month plus three months before and after. Sign up early if you want coverage to start as soon as you turn 65. Missing this enrollment period could lead to penalties for the duration of your Medicare coverage.

The penalty for signing up late to Plan B is 10% of the premium for every 12 months you were not enrolled. Part D prescription coverage has a penalty of 1% of the premium for every month missed. If you miss your “new to Medicare” enrollment period, you could end up temporarily uninsured.

You can usually keep your health plan and delay enrolling in Medicare without penalty.

People who have health insurance through a large employer — and are actively working — can delay signing up for Part B until they retire without penalty. If you have coverage through a small company with fewer than 20 people, you’ll have to move to Medicare.

Talk to your human resources department about your options. If you keep your employer-sponsored health plan beyond age 65, your employer will need to fill out a form verifying you had continuous coverage when you retire.

The same rules apply if you are covered under a private health plan through a spouse who is still working.

Consider the premium, deductible, and other cost-sharing expenses. Compare how prescriptions are covered and the doctor networks offered. If you are covered under a spouse’s plan, look at how the employer handles dependent coverage.

Companies may pay for a large share of the employee’s health insurance but not the cost of insuring spouses and children. In this case, it may be more cost-effective for an over-65 spouse to move to Medicare.

Yes — with limits.

An employee’s HSA can be used to pay eligible medical bills for a spouse covered by Medicare. Eligible medical expenses include copays for prescriptions and services applied to your plan’s deductible, as well as Part A and Part B premiums. An HSA cannot be used to pay for supplemental policy premiums. Once you sign up for Medicare, however, you will no longer be allowed to contribute pretax funds to an HSA.

People with ACA marketplace health plans almost always transition to Medicare when they turn 65. You may be able to keep your individual health plan, but you won’t be eligible for a tax subsidy after 65 and could face penalties if you don’t sign up right away.

The cost and coverage could be very different from what you’re used to. The Medicare Part B premium may be less than what people in their 60s pay for an individual marketplace plan. But people who have been receiving an income-based tax subsidy for an ACA marketplace plan may find that their costs rise under Medicare.

Consider discussing options with an enrollment adviser, or visit the National Council on Aging’s BenefitsCheckUp website to find out if you’re eligible for financial assistance.

No. Everyone pays a monthly premium for Part B, regardless of whether you have original Medicare or Medicare Advantage.

Medicare Advantage plans often include extra services, such as prescription drugs, vision, or dental — for an extra charge. When a plan advertises a “zero-dollar premium,” it is referring to these additional, plan-specific benefits. You will still pay the Part B premium.

Keep in mind that premiums are only one source of out-of-pocket costs. Plans with low premiums may have high deductibles, copays, and coinsurance. You should also consider how much your medications will cost under the plan and whether your doctors are in network. Medicare’s online plan finder can help you compare options.

A fitness program offered by some Medicare Advantage plans that gives members access to free gym memberships, fitness classes, and health education resources. It is not part of original Medicare. Plans that don’t offer Silver Sneakers may have a similar fitness program. Ask your plan administrator.

Although the program can be a valuable benefit, also consider whether the plan will meet your health-care needs, how it covers the medications you take, and whether you can continue seeing the same doctors. And, as with any fitness membership, make sure that the facility fits your physical needs, schedule, and location.