The annual Medicare Open Enrollment Period (OEP) for beneficiaries to join, switch, or leave Medicare Advantage and Part D prescription drug plans runs Oct. 15-Dec. 7. This collection of resources can help you counsel clients about joining or switching health or drug plans.
What's New to Medicare in 2024
Find out what's changing in costs and coverage of services in the coming year.
| Resource | Audience | Link |
| 2024 Changes to Medicare fact sheet | Professionals | |
| Medicare Parts A & B premiums and cost-sharing chart | Professionals Older Adults | |
| Medicare & You is the official handbook provided to everyone with Medicare that explains coverage, enrollment, and costs | Older Adults | Multiple languages & formats |
| Webinar: Medicare in 2024: Changes Affecting Low-Income Beneficiaries | Professionals | Access the Recording |
| Webinar: Medicare in 2023: Changes Affecting Low-Income Beneficiaries | Professionals | Access the recording |
Mailings & Marketing Materials
Stay abreast of what your clients may expect to receive in the mail from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), Social Security Administration, and health and drug plans. Learn what plans can and cannot do when marketing to people with Medicare.
| Resource | Audience | Link |
| Guide to Consumer Mailings from CMS, Social Security & Plans for 2023/2024 | Older Adults, Caregivers, Professionals | |
| Sample notices CMS mails to Medicare beneficiaries receiving the Part D Low-Income Subsidy (LIS/Extra Help) | Professionals | Multiple formats |
| Medicare Broker Dos and Don'ts: CMS Fact Sheet | Older Adults, Caregivers, Professionals | PDF (email us for other languages) |
| Medicare Marketing Regulations (updated in 2022) | Professionals, Advocates | |
| Open Enrollment outreach and media materials from CMS | Professionals | Multiple formats in English & Spanish |
Compare Coverage
| Resource | Audience | Link |
| Medicare Plan Finder | Older Adults, Professionals | Plan Finder |
| Checklist for counselors to help consumers shop for Part D plans and screen for LIS/Extra Help | Professionals | |
| How to Use Medicare Plan FInder, step-by-step | Older Adults, Professionals | Watch |
| 2024 Landscape of Plans | Professionals | Download |
Part D Costs
In July 2023, CMS predicted that the average basic monthly premium for standard Medicare Part D coverage will increase in 2024, to be approximately $55.50/month. Our cost-sharing chart gives more detail on what your clients can expect to pay for coverage.
| Resource | Audience | Link |
| 2024 Medicare Part D Cost-Sharing Chart | Professionals | |
| Find your state’s benchmark premium for Part D Low Income Subsidy enrollees (page 2) | Professionals |
Enrollment Considerations
If your clients miss the annual Open Enrollment Period for Medicare, there may still be opportunities to join, disenroll from, or switch plans, depending on their individual circumstances.
| Resource | Audience | Link |
| Medicare Enrollment Periods Calendar | Older Adults, Professionals | NCOA Resource |
| Medicare Advantage Special Enrollment Periods | Professionals | |
| Medicare Part D Special Enrollment Periods | Professionals |
Share with Older Adults
CMS has created this tip sheet for consumers to use when weighing their Medicare plan decisions.
In addition, every state has a State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) that can offer unbiased assistance to people with Medicare and their families, and assist with applying for the Medicare low-income subsidies (Extra Help and Medicare Savings Programs). Find your local SHIP.
