Medicare plans change every year. They can change how much they cost, what they cover, and which doctors and pharmacies you can use. It’s important to look at your Medicare health and drug coverage and decide if you want to make any changes. You can do this from October 15 to December 7 for the upcoming year, 2024.

There are two main ways to get Medicare coverage:

1. Original Medicare: This includes Part A (Hospital Insurance) and Part B (Medical Insurance). You can also choose to add a separate Medicare drug plan (Part D) to cover your prescription drugs.
2. Medicare Advantage: These are plans approved by Medicare but offered by private companies (sometimes called Part C). They combine Part A, Part B, and often Part D coverage into one plan.

During the Open Enrollment period, you can switch from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage Plan, change to a different Medicare Advantage Plan, go back to Original Medicare, or keep your current coverage.

The Medicare Advantage Plans and standalone drug plans available to you depend on your zip code. For Nassau County, which includes zip codes like 32034, 32097, 32011, 32046, and 32009, there will be 21 Medicare drug plans and 32 Medicare Advantage plans for 2024.

It’s crucial to check your prescription drug costs for the next year, whether you have a standalone drug plan or an Advantage plan. The deductibles, copays, and premiums can change each year.

If you need help understanding your options for 2024, you can get unbiased assistance from Meg McAlpine, your UF/IFAS Nassau County FCS Extension Agent. You can reach her at (904) 530-6359.

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