How would you rate your satisfaction with your health insurance plan?

RatingEmployer-basedOriginal MedicareMedicare AdvantageMedicaidIndividual or ACA plan
15%0%7%6%14%
26%3%6%18%28%
318%15%16%16%22%
433%39%35%22%22%
539%43%37%39%14%

Source: Insurance.com commissioned Google survey of nearly 1,000 people.

How to sign up for Medicare

Medicare enrollees have open enrollment between Oct. 15 and Dec. 7. During that time, people with Medicare can make changes to your plan.

Medicare open enrollment allows you to:

  • Change from Original Medicare (also called Parts A and B) to Medicare Advantage (Part C)
  • Switch from Medicare Advantage to Original Medicare
  • Swap Medicare Advantage plans
  • Get a Medicare prescription drug plan (called Part D) if you have Original Medicare
  • Change or cancel Part D plans

Changes made during open enrollment kick in on Jan. 1, 2020.

Medicare has made multiple changes for 2020. So, it’s important to review the changes and find the right plan for you. 

Here are changes for 2020:

  • Medicare will no longer offer Medicare Supplement Plans C and F. It’s also adding a Plan G high-deductible option. Medigap can be paired with Original Medicare to help pay out-of-pocket costs. If you have a Plan C or F already, you can keep it. Others won’t be able to get onto those plans after Jan. 1, 2020. 
  • People with Medicare Original will pay slightly higher premiums in 2020. Monthly Part B premiums will increase by nearly $9 to $144.30. Deductibles will also increase from $185 to $197.
  • Medicare Advantage will have lower average premiums. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services said average Medicare Advantage premiums will drop by 14% in 2020 compared to 2019. The average $23 monthly premium for 2020 is the lowest since 2007, according to CMS. 
  • There’s more choice in 2020. CMS said there will be about 1,200 more Medicare Advantage plans in 2020 than in 2018. 
  • Medicare Advantage plans will provide more supplemental benefits. CMS estimates that 500 plans will offer expanded “primarily health-related supplemental benefits.” That includes adult care services or caregiver support services.
  • There are more Medicare Advantage plans for particular health issues like diabetes and congestive heart failure. About 300 plans will offer those extra benefits in 2020 that insurers made for people with those specific illnesses.
  • CMS has improved its Medicare Plan Finder. The tool allows people to compare multiple Medicare plans. 

Find out more about Medicare open enrollment and changes to Medicare and Medicare Advantage.