You’ve worked hard to find the right Aetna® Medicare Advantage (MA) plan to fit your needs. Now you may be wondering how you renew your Medicare coverage each year and what the Medicare renewal process looks like. In most cases, you don’t have to do a thing. Your MA plan automatically renews on January 1. But there are rare instances where your plan may be ending. In these cases, we’ll notify you by mail, and you’ll get a chance to select a new plan.
But if you’d like to change your Aetna MA plan, you can do so during Medicare’s Annual Enrollment Period (AEP). It runs from October 15 to December 7.
What do I need to know about renewing my Medicare Advantage plan?
In most cases, your Medicare Advantage (Part C) plan renews automatically each year, so you don’t need to take any action to keep your coverage.
However, you may need to take action if your Medicare plan provider stops offering your plan or you move out of your plan’s service area.
Review your plan details during the Annual Enrollment Period to make sure your coverage, costs and providers still meet your needs.
What is an Annual Notice of Change (ANOC) for a Medicare plan?
If you have a current Medicare Advantage plan, you’ll get an Annual Notice of Change (ANOC) right before AEP begins. This will explain the changes to your plan for the coming year. Be sure to carefully read this information because the changes can affect your costs and coverage.
Each year, review your Annual Notice of Change (ANOC), which explains any changes to your coverage, costs, providers or benefits for the next plan year. Reviewing your ANOC during the Annual Enrollment Period can help you decide if your current plan still meets your needs.
Review your current coverage before you change Medicare plans
As you review your current Medicare coverage, it’s a good time to review all of your plan documents. If you have prescription drug coverage, be sure to check for any changes to the plan formulary. That’s the list of prescription drugs covered by your plan. You’ll also want to check the provider directory to note changes to your network.
Things to consider when reviewing your current coverage or any Medicare plan changes:
- What will my monthly plan premium and costs be next year?
- Can I still see my doctors?
- Are my prescriptions still covered under my plan?
- What will my prescriptions cost next year?
We want members to be aware of their plan changes so they can assess whether their current plan is still right for them. They can reach out to us if they have any questions,” says Rhonda B., executive director at Aetna.
To learn more about your Medicare coverage, you may also be able to attend an in-person meeting or an online member seminar. During the AEP, you can check online to see if a meeting is available in your area.
You can also sign up for an Aetna Medicare seminar to explore plan options and get guidance from a licensed agent.
What is a nonrenewal notice?
A nonrenewal notice is used to inform members that their plan is not being renewed. Aetna members are notified by mail if their plan is not going to be renewed at the end of the year. If you receive this notice, you’ll need to find a new Medicare plan.
Need more helping finding the right Medicare plan?
Are you happy with your current coverage? Then there’s good news. In most cases your coverage will auto-renew each year. You don’t have to do anything to continue with your current plan.
But if you’d like to make changes, you’ll get the chance to do so during the Annual Enrollment Period. During this time, our Member Services team is available to review the details of your plan and answer your questions. Our goal is to help you find the plan that best fits your needs. Because we’re by your side on your health care journey.
How do I change my Medicare plan?
For most people, your Medicare plan renews on its own, so you don’t need to take any steps. However, it may not renew if your plan is no longer offered or you move out of your plan’s service area. Each fall, you’ll get important plan information to review. If you want to make a change, you can do so during the Medicare Annual Enrollment Period (AEP), which runs from October 15 to December 7.
How do I switch to a Medicare Advantage plan with drug coverage during AEP?
The Annual Enrollment Period is your opportunity to make changes to your Medicare coverage for the next year. During this time, you can switch to a Medicare Advantage plan that includes prescription drug coverage. It’s a good idea to compare your options and choose a plan that fits your health needs and budget.
