How to Know If My Medicare Plan Has Changed

Medicare was first enacted in 1965. While major changes are rare, there are minor changes each year to benefits or procedures. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) are very transparent about changes. There are a number of ways to know if your Medicare plan will change. Read on to figure out how.

1. Let Medicare Contact You

There are limited circumstances in which Medicare and CMS will contact. One of those circumstances is changes in your benefits. CMS will generally notify you if you have changes in your Medicare benefits. If you are the type of person who does not need to be immediately notified of changes, this way may be the easiest way for you to learn about changes in your Medicare benefits. 

2. Check CMS Periodically

CMS has a Newsroom section of their website that makes it easy to digest announcements about Medicare. The pro of this part of this website is that everything is explained in a simple format. The downside is that all of the Medicare news is mixed together, so it does not focus simply on changes. 

CMS has another section of their website devoted to Medicare announcements. You can check there periodically to see whether they have added any new updates in the upcoming year. However, there are a few things to keep in mind. This information is quite dense in this format and very technical. It can take considerable time to sift through the information and understand what exactly is relevant to you as a patient. 

3. Keep Up with Reputable News Sources

The best way to keep abreast of Medicare changes is to keep up with current events. There are a number of reputable news sources that report on Medicare changes early. Reputable resources include Forbes, AARP, and the National Council on Aging. 

Common Changes to Keep an Eye On

While many things in Medicare stay the same, there are some items that change more frequently. Premiums and deductibles often change in price each year. When there are changes in legislation, Medicare is often allowed to expand its services, so additional benefits may become available each year as well. 

It can feel overwhelming to keep up with all of the changes in healthcare. Using an agent to help you navigate Medicare can help lift some of that burden. For all of your Medicare questions, call us today.