Posted on January 10, 2023 by Larry Johnson
A non-government site powered by Health Insurance Associates, LLC., a health insurance agency.
Posted on January 10, 2023 by Larry Johnson
With big Medicare changes in 2023 forthcoming, the time has never been better to sign up for a plan. Call us today at (800) 950-0608 to chat with a licensed insurance agent about Medicare plans available in your area.
This time of the year, the thoughts of most seniors turn to Medicare health insurance enrollment, especially enrollment in a Medicare Advantage plan. That’s right, Medicare’s Open Enrollment Period is here, which means you have the perfect opportunity to enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan if you’re so inclined. In fact, with all the new Medicare changes coming in 2023, there’s no better time to enroll in Medicare Advantage.
These Medicare changes are a big win for Medicare enrollees. If you enrolled in an Original Medicare plan (Medicare Part A and Part B) during last year’s annual enrollment period, you’ve likely noticed that the Original Medicare monthly premium for 2023 have decreased quite a bit. However, there are plenty of other changes in store for Medicare plans that you may not know about just yet — just in time for this year’s open enrollment.
What changes are coming to Medicare in 2023? Let’s find out.
On October 28, 2022, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) implemented a new “Final Rule” as directed by the Biden Administration in tandem with the Inflation Reduction Act. If you’ve signed up for a Medicare plan in the past, you know that there can be quite a gap between enrollment and actually receiving your benefits. The Biden Administration’s “Final Rule” seeks to minimize that waiting period.
Two of the key new Medicare changes for 2023 have a lot to do with enrollment and eligibility. One of those changes shortens the overall time between enrollment and coverage for individuals enrolling in Medicare plans at the end of their Initial Enrollment Periods (IEPs). The other grants you coverage on the first day of the month after you become Medicare enrollees, instead of having to wait until July 1.
One of the biggest Medicare changes this year involves Special Enrollment Periods (SEPs). You may now qualify for a Special Enrollment Period if:
The last of the four key changes coming to Medicare in 2023 is a new immunosuppressive drug benefit for Part B beneficiaries. This allows kidney transplant patients who would typically lose Medicare coverage to maintain it only for immunosuppressive medications. Along with Medicare premiums in 2023 being reduced, these are major changes.
However, the list of 2023 Medicare changes doesn’t end there. There are several other excellent Medicare changes in 2023 that’ll make it easier for you to use your coverage than ever.
Medicare coverage for access to behavioral and mental health services is expanding greatly. As of November 1, CMS has loosened its requirements on seeing therapists or counselors. This means that you’ll have access to your therapist or counselor without needing to have a doctor or a nurse practitioner on site.
Medicare patients who are dealing with opioid addiction will also be able to gain access to telehealth treatment, and payments to opioid addiction treatment programs are increasing to allow for mobile treatment units to reach opioid addiction patients in underserved communities.
For seniors dealing with Diabetes, one of the most welcome changes is the insulin cap. Starting January 1, 2023, if you’re a Medicare beneficiary, you’ll pay no more than $35 per month for a month’s supply of certain insulin products.
If you were comparing plans for 2023, the insulin cap may not have been reflected in the plans that you were comparing. As a result, if you use a covered insulin product, you have access to a Special Enrollment Period that runs through December 31, 2023 to enroll in or switch your Part D coverage in order to make use of the new insulin cap benefit.
Certain vaccines are now also free for Medicare beneficiaries. The Shingles vaccine, which once cost an expensive $300 per dose, is now available to Medicare beneficiaries for free with no deductible, coinsurance, or cost-sharing if you have Part D plan for prescription drug coverage. The same goes for the Tdap vaccine.
Enrolling in a Medicare program plan allows you great access to healthcare coverage. With all of the major Medicare changes in 2023, it’s an excellent time to enroll in or switch coverage.
Our licensed insurance agents are always happy to help you compare available Medicare plans in your area to help you find one that’s right for you. Give us a call today at (800) 950-0608 to learn more about your options.
Larry Johnson
Larry is a content writer with several years of experience in creating informative content for a variety of industries on topics that matter. He is a 2009 graduate of the University of North Carolina School of the Arts.