Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Ends March 31

Iowans who are enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan have options to switch through the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment period, which ends Wednesday, March 31.

The options are:

• Switching to a different Medicare Advantage Plan with drug coverage
• Switching to a different Medicare Advantage Plan without drug coverage
• Returning to Original Medicare and, if needed, joining a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan. With this choice, enrollees may be unable to buy a Medicare supplement insurance policy.

New coverage will start the first day of the month after the new plan’s request for coverage is received.

Senior Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP) counselors at Fort Madison Community Hospital and Great River Medical Center are available by telephone to help make changes and answer questions. To make an appointment, call 319-768-3342.

The Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period isn’t for people who are enrolled in Original Medicare or are enrolled in a Medicare Cost plan.