The Medicare Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) occurs every year from October 15 through December 7. As this period approaches, lots of information about Medicare insurance may be coming at you all at once and it can be overwhelming and hard to determine which plan best meets your needs.
Answers to Common Questions About Medicare
How do I apply for Medicare?
You don’t need to sign up for Medicare each year. However, you should review your Medicare health and prescription drug coverage and make changes if it no longer meets your needs or if you could lower your out-of-pocket expenses.
Is there anything Medicare does not cover?
Medicare doesn’t cover everything. It does not cover things like long-term care, vision, dental, hearing, personal care services, non-medically necessary services, and more.
How can I find out if my doctor accepts Medicare?
Most U.S. doctors accept Medicare. To find a list of doctors in your area who accept Medicare and its required pricing for procedures, go to Medicare’s Physician Compare tool (www.medicare.gov/physiciancompare) and look to see if your doctor “Accepts Medicare Assignment.” You can also call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227, TTY users call 1-877-486-2048), or call your doctor’s office and ask before you schedule an appointment.
What is an Annual Wellness Visit?
During the first year of joining Medicare Part B, beneficiaries are eligible for what’s known as a “Welcome to Medicare” visit. After your first year, you can schedule what’s known as an “Annual Wellness Visit” where your doctor will check core health factors (blood pressure, weight, height, body-mass index, etc.) and review your medicines and treatments. You are not charged for these visits – they are completely covered by Medicare (meaning no deductible charges, copays, or coinsurance). (Learn more about the difference between your Annual Wellness Visit and an annual physical on our blog)
