Only a few days remain for Medicare enrollees to make choices about their health coverage for next year. Tuesday, Dec. 7, is the last day of Medicare’s annual open enrollment period, when decisions can be made about health and prescription coverage for 2022.
During the annual open enrollment, persons enrolled in Medicare have a number of choices regarding their prescription coverage and health plan. They can change to a new plan, enroll for the first time, disenroll from coverage, or continue with their current plan (if it is still available).
Additionally, the Social Security Administration has announced Social Security and SSI benefits will increase by 5.9% in 2022 — the largest increase in 40 years. Each recipient will be notified by mail in early December about their new benefit amount. Also, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has announced that the standard premium for Medicare Part B will increase to $170.10 per month. Individuals with annual income exceeding $91,000 will pay higher amounts for their Part B and Part D premiums. This news of next year’s higher Social Security benefits and Medicare costs can be used to help individuals make decisions about their health and prescription needs for 2022.
For assistance with healthcare choices, contact Medicare 24 hours a day at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227), including weekends. Medicare also provides a plan comparison tool and enrollment on its website at www.medicare.gov. To enroll in a plan, contact Medicare at its phone number or website, or contact the plan of choice at their phone number or website.
Although time is limited until the deadline of midnight on Dec. 7, assistance may also be available from each county’s Aging & Disability Resource Center. For Vernon County, call (608) 637-5201 or 888-637-1323; for Monroe County, (608) 269-8690; and for Juneau County, (608) 847-9371. Information on programs to assist with Medicare costs is also available from the ADRC.
