If you are considering Medicare Advantage, consider choosing a plan that includes Atrium Health doctors and hospitals you trust.
Medicare Open Enrollment, also known as the Annual Enrollment Period (AEP), will take place from October 15, 2019 – December 7, 2019. If you are over 65 (or turning 65 in the next three months), this is the time of year to review your health insurance coverage options.
During this enrollment period, newly eligible and existing Medicare patients can review Medicare coverage options and can choose to:
- Switch from Original Medicare (Medicare Parts A and B) to Medicare Advantage, or vice versa
- Change from one Medicare Advantage plan to another
- Add or change Medicare prescription drug plans
- Make no changes to current Medicare coverage
Key Dates
-
Open enrollment begins:
October 15, 2019 -
Open enrollment ends:
December 7, 2019 -
Coverage begins:
January 1, 2020
Why choose Atrium Health?
When you choose a health insurance plan with Atrium Health you get:
- World-class care from experts at Levine Cancer Institute, Sanger Heart & Vascular Institute and more
- Access to primary care, on-demand care including urgent care and online video health visits, and the region's only Level I trauma center
- Peace of mind that you can keep your out-of-pocket costs down when you get care from us
Which plans include Atrium Health providers?
Atrium Health doctors and hospitals are in-network for Medicare Advantage plans offered by:
- Advantra – Coventry Health Care
- Aetna Medicare Advantage
- Blue Cross Blue Shield of NC Blue Medicare
- Care N Care of NC (including HealthTeam Advantage and Teal Premier)
- Humana Medicare Advantage
- United Healthcare Medicare Advantage (all plans except AARP Hospital Indemnity Plan, Medicare Select, Care Improvement Plus)
- Blue Cross Blue Shield of SC Medicare Blue members may have access through the Blue Card program.
- Cigna HealthSpring Medicare Advantage (effective 1-1-2020)
Please note that not all plans are offered in each county. Be sure to choose the plan in your county that includes Atrium Health doctors and hospitals as part of its network.
Frequently Asked Questions
You should enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan that enables you to continue getting care from your preferred Atrium Health doctors and hospitals.
Before enrolling in any Medicare Advantage health plan, you should confirm that your Atrium Health doctor is participating in the plan, which you can do by:
- Calling the health plan to verify that your preferred Atrium Health doctor and hospital are in-network.
- Calling your doctor’s office at the beginning of open enrollment to confirm which Medicare Advantage plans are in-network.
- Visiting Medicare Plan Finder to help you understand the Medicare Advantage health plan options in your county, as well as view which doctors and hospitals are in-network.
Medicare Open Enrollment, also known as the Annual Enrollment Period or AEP, will take place from October 15 – December 7, 2019. If you are over 65 (or turning 65 in the next three months), this is the time to review your health insurance coverage options.
During this enrollment period, newly eligible and existing Medicare patients can review Medicare coverage options and can choose to:
- Switch from Original Medicare (Medicare Parts A and B) to Medicare Advantage, or vice versa
- Change from one Medicare Advantage plan to another
- Add or change Medicare prescription drug plans
- Make no changes to current Medicare coverage
If you’re happy with your existing Medicare coverage, there’s no need to do anything during Medicare Open Enrollment. But it’s always good to check that your current plan is still available and that you can continue to see your preferred doctors and hospitals.
You can continue to see your preferred doctor until your new coverage begins January 1, 2020.
As always, if you have a medical emergency, go to the closest hospital emergency room. Atrium Health hospitals provide services to all patients seeking treatment for an emergency medical condition, regardless of their health insurance plan or ability to pay for emergency services.
You can contact the Senior Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP). They list Medicare Advantage plans by county that are available in 2020. Call them at 855-408-1212 or visit their website.
Contact your health insurance agent.
If you sign up for a Medicare Advantage plan during Medicare Open Enrollment and your needs later change, you may not have to wait until next fall to switch plans.
If you signed up for Medicare Advantage during the regular open enrollment period, you can elect to switch health plans (either Medicare Advantage or Original Medicare) between January 1, 2020 through March 31, 2020.