(Bloomfield, CT, Thursday, September 5, 2019) – For people 65 and older and those with certain disabilities, now is the time to start to think about shopping for your Medicare Advantage plan. The Medicare Annual Election Period runs from October 15 through December 7 and it is the only time each year to shop for these plans.

More than 22 million people have a Medicare Advantage plan, accounting for 35 percent of Medicare enrollees. The plans are so popular for several reasons: They offer robust health benefits plus extras such as vision, dental, fitness, drug coverage and more.

Shannon Adams, head of customer experience at Cigna, has tips for making the most of this valuable opportunity to shop around and possibly make a change in health care plans.

SOUNDBITE #1:

EVERYONE’S HEALTH CAN CHANGE OVER TIME, SO SHOP FOR A PLAN BASED ON WHAT YOU’LL NEED NEXT YEAR. SOME PLANS OFFER EXTRAS LIKE VISION, DENTAL AND DRUG COVERAGE, EVEN NO-COST ACCESS TO FITNESS CENTERS OR TRANSPORTATION TO DOCTORS AND PHARMACIES. ALSO, KNOW IF THE PLAN YOU’RE CONSIDERING INCLUDES YOUR FAVORITE HOSPITAL AND DOCTORS. IF YOU ALREADY HAVE A PLAN, CHECK THE ANNUAL NOTICE OF CHANGE IN SEPTEMBER AND DECIDE IF YOU NEED TO CHANGE PLANS.

SOUNDBITE #2:

HEALTH CARE IS ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT INVESTMENTS YOU’LL EVER MAKE. SO I RECOMMEND DOING YOUR HOMEWORK, AS YOU WOULD FOR ANY MAJOR PURCHASE. DON’T BE AFRAID TO GET HELP – MEDICARE IS A GREAT PROGRAM, BUT IT CAN BE COMPLICATED. I KNOW FIRSTHAND – MY FATHER RECENTLY TURNED SIXTY-FIVE AND HAD LOTS OF QUESTIONS. TALK TO FRIENDS AND FAMILY WHO KNOW THE PROCESS. YOU CAN ALSO CHECK MEDICARE’S PLAN FINDER TOOL ONLINE STARTING ON OCTOBER FIRST.

Once the election period begins on October 15, check health plans’ websites or call their customer service number for more information.