Since its passage in 1965, Medicare has enabled Americans to live longer, healthier, and contribute more to our communities. I’m writing to you today because I want to encourage everyone who is eligible to take advantage of the open enrollment period and find coverage that fits your family’s needs and budget. 

We are in the open enrollment period right now, but it only lasts for a few more days. You must choose your Medicare plan by December 7th if you want to make any changes for 2021. If you are satisfied with your current plan and it is still offered, you don’t need to do anything. Learn more here.  

There are a number of resources available to help you and your family find the best coverage: 

• Under the new “Plan Finder” at www.medicare.gov, you can compare pricing between various Medicare plan options, get plan costs and benefits, and build a personal prescription drug list.

• Information on coverage options is available by calling 1-800-MEDICARE.

• A basic overview of your current coverage is outlined in the “Medicare & You” handbook, available online at www.medicare.gov/medicare-and-you. 

• For those of you looking for more detailed information, I’ve included a comprehensive FAQ at the end of this e-newsletter.

My Track Record Improving Access to Quality, Affordable, and Accessible Health Care

Stabilizing Health Care Costs

During my time in Congress, I have fought for our seniors, cosponsoring and passing several bills to protect and strengthen Medicare. I included some of my most relevant legislative actions below: 

• I cosponsored H.R.2000, the Medicare-X Choice Act of 2019. This legislation would allow all Americans to buy a public health insurance plan. That plan would pay doctors the same prices that Medicare currently does, and it would allow patients to be seen at the offices and hospitals that Medicare has in network. Furthermore, the Medicare X plan would cover things that Medicare does not, such as pediatrics and maternity care. 

• When I heard from constituents and advocates who missed open enrollment due to COBRA continuation coverage and then struggled with signing up for Medicare, I cosponsored the bipartisan Medicare Enrollment Protection Act to protect seniors from gaps in their coverage or having to pay higher premiums. 

• I also cosponsored the SAVE for Seniors Act, a bipartisan bill to ensure that Medicare enrollees can gain access to any approved COVID-19 vaccine without a cost share. 

When is the Medicare Open Enrollment Period?
Every year, Medicare’s open enrollment period is October 15th – December 7th. 

What is the Medicare Open Enrollment Period?
Medicare health and drug plans can make changes each year—things like cost, coverage, and what providers and pharmacies are in their networks. October 15 to December 7 is when all people with Medicare can change their Medicare health plans and prescription drug coverage for the following year to better meet their needs.

What does Medicare Cover?
Medicare includes Part A, Part B, Part C (Advantage), Part D, and Medigap- all of which cover basic medical needs.

Medicare Part A: mainly covers hospital services. This includes: Inpatient hospital care, inpatient rehabilitation care, skilled nursing facility care, nursing home care, home health care, and hospice.

Medicare Part B: covers medical services. This includes: Preventive medical care, diagnostic medical care, treatment of medical conditions, durable medical equipment, mental health services, certain outpatient prescription drugs, telehealth services (part of the present response to COVID-19 pandemic).

Medicare Part C (Medicare Advantage): offered by private insurance companies approved by Medicare. When you join a Medicare Advantage Plan, the plan will provide coverage for all your Plan A and Part B services. Medicare Advantage plans may offer additional coverage such as hearing, dental, vision, and health and wellness programs. Many plans also include Part D, prescription drug coverage.

Medicare Part D: provides prescription drug coverage. This is added onto original Medicare (part A and part B). Each plan has a formulary, which is a list of prescription drugs it will cover.

Medicare supplement (Medigap): provides coverage for costs associated with original Medicare. Medigap is health insurance sold by private insurance companies to fill the “gaps” in original Medicare plan coverage. In order to buy a Medigap policy you must have Medicare Part A and Part B.

When am I eligible for Medicare?
People age 65 or older are automatically eligible to enroll in Medicare. In some cases, individuals under the age of 65 who have long-term disabilities are also eligible. Medicare eligibility is as follows: When you turn 65 years old, you are eligible to enroll in Medicare 3 months before your 65th birthday and up to three months afterward. If you receive monthly disability benefits through either the Social Security Administration or Railroad Retirement Board, you are eligible for Medicare after 24 months. If you have been diagnosed with end stage renal disease and have a kidney transplant or require dialysis, you are eligible to enroll in Medicare.

What is the implication of not signing up for Medicare Part B when I am eligible?
If you choose not to enroll in Medicare Part B and then decide to do so later, your coverage could be delayed, and you may have to pay a higher monthly premium for as long as you have Part B. Your monthly premium will go up 10 percent for each 12-month period you were eligible for Part B, but didn’t sign up for it, unless you qualify for a "Special Enrollment Period" (SEP).

If you don’t enroll in Medicare Part B during your initial enrollment period, you have another chance each year to sign up during a “general enrollment period” from January 1 through March 31. Your coverage begins on July 1.

How much does Medicare cost?
Each Medicare part that you enroll in has costs associated with it, including premiums, deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance.

Part A: Costs for Medicare Part A include: A premium of anywhere from $0 to $458 per month, depending on your income. A deductible of $1,408 per benefits period. A coinsurance of $0 for the first 60 days of an inpatient stay, up to the full cost of services depending how long you’re admitted.

Part B: Costs for Medicare Part B include: A premium of $144.60 or higher per month, depending on your income. A deductible of $198 in 2020. A coinsurance of 20 percent of the cost of your Medicare-approved amount for services. An excess charge of up to 15 percent if the cost of your services is more than the approved amount.

Part C: Medicare Part C costs can vary depending on your location, your provider, and the type of coverage your plan offers. Medicare costs include: Part A costs. Part B costs. A monthly premium for the Advantage plan. A yearly deductible for the Advantage plan. A drug plan deductible (if your plan includes prescription drug coverage). A coinsurance or copayment amount for each doctor’s visit, specialist’s visit, or prescription drug refill.

Part D: Medicare Part D costs include: A monthly premium. A yearly deductible of $435 or lower. A coinsurance or copayment amount for your prescription drug refills.

Where can people find Medicare plan information or compare plans?
1-800-MEDICARE or Medicare.gov.   

If you need additional help signing up for Medicare or still have unanswered questions, here are some additional resources that may be helpful:

• Medicare.gov has information about important forms, locating providers, informative brochures, and more. 

• CMS.gov has up-to-date information about official legislative changes and updates to the Medicare program. 

• SSA.gov allows you to access your Medicare account and more Social Security and Medicare resources.