DON’T FORGET OPEN ENROLLMENT

Every year, when the leaves start to fall and the gorgeous colors of the season begin to change, it is a reminder that the Annual Open Enrollment for Medicare and Marketplace Insurance has arrived.

THE WINDOW FOR OPEN ENROLLMENT

Medicare’s Open Enrollment is from October 15 to December 7.

If you are under 65 and have private health insurance (insurance not provided by an employer), your window is November 1 through December 15.

As always, if you do not want to change your plan, you do nothing, and your plan automatically renews for 2025.

NEXT STEPS IF YOU HAVE MEDICARE

With the removal of the “donut hole” from Medicare plans for 2025, insurance companies may have changed previously offered benefits. You should have already received updates from your insurance company. Still, it’s always a good idea to check with your Health Advisor to see what has changed and if it is enough to consider a different plan that meets your specific needs.

Prescription Drug Plans (PDPs) should remain relatively unchanged this year.

NON-MEDICARE NEXT STEPS

For those without Medicare, this is your window to enroll in or change a health insurance policy taking effect January 1, 2025.

If you receive a tax credit based on earnings estimated in the 2024 Open Enrollment, make sure you are still on target. This estimate impacts your tax credit and insurance premium.

• Example: Suppose you receive a tax credit to reduce the monthly cost of a Marketplace (healthcare.gov) plan. In that case, this is your window to make updates on 2025 estimated annual income, insurance eligibility through an employer, or life changes such as the birth of a child, adoption, marriage, job change, or change of address.

Working with your Health Advisor can avoid duplications, errors, or missing the Open Enrollment window.

HOW CAN WE HELP?

If you need to change plans, update your coverage, or provide updated information to an existing policy, contact one of our Health Advisors. They work for you, not the insurance companies, and no consultation fee or obligation exists. We can work with you by phone, email, or in person.

The Insurance Group of the Ozarks (IGO) team provides insurance options for Life, Health, Medicare, Dental, Vision, Hearing, and the Affordable Care Act for Springfield, Ozark, Nixa, Branson, and Rogersville communities.

Working with a trusted Health Advisor can potentially save you money by assuring you have a plan that is the best price and option for your specific medical needs. If you have questions or need to speak with an advisor, call the IGO office at 417-725-1131 or visit our website at https://www.igotozarks.com.